As we again celebrate the Giving of the Torah, and the covenant between G-d and Israel, we should reflect on a basic component of that event. When G-d wanted the Jews to receive the Torah, He asked them whether they wished to accept it. The freely replied in the affirmative, and it is that which is the basis of the agreement between them. While the Torah has coercive elements, it is, in the final instance based on the free choice of the individual. It is interesting, in this regard, that we always read on the Shabbat close to Shavuot, the details of the donations of the Princes at the dedication of the Tabernacle. These gifts, which are basically the same for each Prince, are seemingly superfluously, repeated twelve times for each Prince. Yet there is an important message in this repetition. Each Prince had to choose of his own free will to bring his offering, so each offering was as in fact separate and different. Only that individual could make that choice. We are thus reminded, during the period of Shavuot, of the importance of free will in acceptance of the Torah. This is especially important in the modern world where, as many great rabbis have recognised, coercion is no longer appropriate. Yet this is often the way the Torah is presented and acted upon, with dire consequences. This can be seen in some religious communities where coercion is the norm. One only has to go to a restaurant in Jerusalem, or walk down the main street, to see youth from these communities behaving in ways considered inappropriate by their parents and teachers, and certainly without their knowledge. Yet the consequences are far worse. The levels of drug abuse and youth delinquency of these communities are among the highest in Israel. This is a direct consequence of the coercive environment in which they live. Forced into a lifestyle they do not want and are often unsuited to, they go off the rails. Denied choice, they choose the worse options. Yet the implications are far wider. It often seems that the message of coercion permeates the whole message of Torah emanating from religious institutions. Whether concerning conversion, Shabbat observance or the Sabbatical year, the aim seems to be to force people to conform to the Torah, whether or not they want to. This of course merely alienates Jews from their heritage. The message of Sinai is that Jews must be allowed to chose to keep the Torah, rather than being beaten into it. This Shavuot, we must rediscover the voice of G-d proclaiming: ‘let my people go so they can serve me!’.
ALIYAH BY ALIYAH SYNOPSIS
Rishon |
The service of the Gersonides and the Merrarites. |
Sheni |
The total census of the working Levites. |
|
Shelishi |
The need for purity in the camp and intentional and unintentional sin. |
|
Revi’i |
The law of the adulterous woman and the Nazirite. The Priestly Blessing. |
|
Chamishi |
The offering of the Princes at the Dedication of the Tabernacle. |
|
Shishi |
More Princes bring their offerings. |
|
Shevi’i |
The summary of the Princes offerings. |
|
Haftorah |
Judges: 13; 2-25: Samson’s birth is announced to his parents by an angel. |
Sidra Statisics
Parshat Nasa
· has 176 verses ;
· is the 2nd in Numbers, 35th in the Torah
· longest in Numbers, longest in the Torah
· has 18 pos + 7 neg = 25 mitzvot.
