This Sabbath is a unique one: not only do we read the usual weekly portion, but we also add additional readings for the new month of Tevet. Three separate Torah scrolls are typically required, so it is a very special confluence of events.
The portion tells the second part of the story of Joseph, when he interprets Pharaoh's dreams and is made second-in-command of Egypt; and when his brothers come to buy food and do not recognize the man they sold into slavery.
There are many fascinating aspects of this story, but one that is intriguing seems almost to be a narrative inconsistency. The brothers seem to assume that Joseph is Egyptian, but he does not dine with the other Egyptians.
The Egyptians know he is a Hebrew, and they do not dine with Hebrews -- whether Joseph, or his brothers. So Joseph dines at his own table. Perhaps the brothers assumed that was because of his status -- but did they not get a hint?
Just a question, among many... and that is the continuing joy of this portion, which I enjoyed in theatrical form in Toronto this week at a production of *Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." It remains so wonderful.
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
