Naso (to take)
Lev. 4:21 - 7:89

Following the opening portion of the book of Numbers which calls for a census and describes the "formation" of the sons of Israel as they prepare to embark on the journey in the wilderness, we read of three commands: disavowing a monetary obligation, dealing with a suspected adulteress and the Nazirite vow. Many commentators have questioned why this "halachic" (laws) section should be placed in the middle of the narrative about the wilderness wanderings. Perhaps the reason lies in the fact that the law concerning the monetary obligation and the accused adulteress are settled by a priest of Israel . In other words, these laws serve as a reminder that the role of the priest went beyond the "walls" of the Tabernacle. They played a role in the lives of the individual Israelites. Their role included helping the Israelites to be a holy nation. In this sense the priests serve as good role models for spiritual leaders.

The role of a spiritual leader is more than functioning as a teacher and performer of religious rites and duties. A spiritual leader is involved in the lives of the people - directly or indirectly, helping them to live in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. Sometimes leaders are called upon to settle disputes and help to heal difficult situations. However, before we come to the conclusion that only spiritual leaders may function in this capacity, we have the model of a person taking a Nazirite vow. Commenting on this passage, Rav Yair Kahn of Yeshiva Etzion says "the Nazir is not satisfied with his role as a member of machaneh Yisroel (camp of Israel ), vulnerable to the passions and pressures of natural man. He prefers the paradigm of the Kohen (high priest)".

The Nazir took a vow of separation for a limited time and for varying reasons, but the point is that for a season they lived separated lives, like the priests. We then learn from this parsha that it is not only the priests, those in spiritual leadership who are called to be holy but the whole nation. The priests are to play a role in helping the nation to be holy and in addition individuals have the opportunity to live a separated holy life themselves. May we as a congregation function as a holy people unto the Lord.

In the New Covenant we read, "but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Messiah from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love".(Eph. 4:16)

Shabbat Shalom!