In this week's portion, Moses gives the people specific instructions for what they are to do when they enter the Land of Israel. Though he will not be accompanying them, he uses the term "tavo," which literally "when you come," as if he is inviting them in, not sending them somewhere (e.g. "when you go" ).
The first priority upon entering the land -- once it is possessed and settled? Gratitude: "[Y]ou shall take of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you will bring from your land, which the Lord, your God, is giving you...". The fruit is to be brought to the priest, as a donation to the Temple, to give thanks.
Notably, the first fruits are usually not the best, plumpest, biggest fruits. But they are a sign of things to come. We are commanded to show gratitude at the first sign of potential, as the first hint of better things that are to come.
Gratitude is a powerful thing. I have been missing my grandmother, who passed away yesterday. At the same time, I am so grateful I had so much time with her -- especially recently, several months after she was given mere days to live.
On days when I feel sad, I try to remember the things for which I must be grateful -- not in comparison to someone else who is worse off than I am, but in an absolute sense. This life is a gift, and there is joy, if we know where to find it.
This is the portion that all journalists should love: the Torah tells the story of the 12 spies, only two of whom tell the truth when the other ten shade it in a negative away (perhaps to suit a political agenda that is opposed to Moses).
It's not that the ten "lying" spies misconstrue the facts about the Land of Israel; rather, they interject their opinions that the land is impossible to conquer, which strikes unnecessary terror into the hearts of the people.
We have many examples of such fake news today -- from the Iranian propaganda outlets spreading false claims that they are winning the war, to California politicians spreading false horror stories about ICE raids in L.A.
The people realize, too late, that they have been fooled, and once they are condemned to die in the desert, they try to rush into Israel -- only to be defeated by the inhabitants, as the spies predicted that they would be.
But as consolation, God gives the people new commandments -- focused on things they must ...
This week's portion discusses the procedure for lighting the menorah, the holy seven-branched lamp, in the Tabernacle (and later the Temple). It also describes an episode where the people crave meat, and God punishes them by giving it to them in excess. We also read the story of Miriam, Moses's sister, who is punished with the spiritual skin blemish of tzara'at for speaking about her brother, thus violating the prohibition against lashon hara (evil tongue).
I heard a fantastic sermon this week about the lighting of the menorah: that while only the priests were qualified to clean and purify the menorah, anyone could light it. A reminder that each of us can inspire others along the way.
This week we study the vow of the Nazirite; a reminder that sometimes trying to be too holy is excessive, and the best we can do is to be the best that we are.
https://www.chabad.org/parshah/torahreading_cdo/aid/2495720/p/complete/jewish/Naso-Torah-Reading.htm
