June 14, 2025 · י"ח סיון תשפ״ה
Beha’alotcha · פרשת בהעלתך
A PEEK AT THE PARSHA Parshat Beha’alotcha starts with Hashem telling Aharon how to light the Menorah in the Mishkan. Next, Hashem explains how to prepare the Levi’im for their special jobs in the Mishkan. They help the Kohanim. They begin their service at age 25 and finish at age 50. Then, Bnei Yisrael are told to bring the Korban Pesach in the desert. Some men who were tamei (impure) couldn’t bring it and felt sad. Hashem gave a second chance called Pesach Sheini — one month later. Hashem led Bnei Yisrael in the desert with a cloud by day and a fire by night. When the cloud lifted, they traveled. When it stayed, they camped.
ONE BIG IDEA Hashem tells Aharon how to light the Menorah in the Mishkan. The Torah uses a special word: “Beha’alotcha” — “when you raise up” the lights. Rashi explains that Aharon had to keep the flame close to the wick until the flame went up by itself. The Rabbis teach us that this is not only about lighting candles — it’s also about how we treat people. Just like Aharon helped the flame grow strong enough to rise on its own, we should help other people grow until they can shine on their own too.
Later, the people began to complain. First, they complained about the journey. Then they complained about the manna, the special food from Heaven. They said they missed the meat, fish, cucumbers, and melons from Egypt. They weren’t thankful for the miracle of the manna. Moshe told Hashem he couldn’t carry the burden of the people alone. So Hashem told Moshe to choose 70 elders to help him lead. Then, Hashem sent a strong wind that brought a huge number of quail (birds) into the camp so the people could eat meat. But they were greedy and took too much. While they were still chewing, a plague came and many died. At the end of the parsha, Miriam and Aharon spoke badly about Moshe and his wife. Hashem told them that Moshe is not like other prophets — Moshe speaks to Hashem “face to face,” clearly and directly. No one else has such a close relationship with Hashem. Hashem said Moshe was the most humble person on earth. That means Moshe never showed off or acted like he was better than others, even though he was the greatest leader. Because Miriam spoke lashon hara (bad speech), she got Tzara’at (a skin disease) and had to stay outside the camp for seven days. The whole nation waited for her until she was healed.
TIMES - זמנים Candle-lighting: 8:10pm Havdalah: 9:13pm allah: 5:25pm