The duties of the three sons of Levi: Gershon, Kehat and Merari, are described at the end of last week’s sedrah, and the beginning of this week’s. The duties described at this point, related to the erecting, dismantling and carrying the parts of the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle was a portable place of worship. As the Israelites travelled through the desert, it went with them.

The sedrah then goes on to outline certain laws in a case of stealing. He or she must admit to their crime, and then repay the value that they have stolen, plus 20%. The obligation to confess is an important one, since only if a person admits that they have done something wrong, can they begin to put it right. This point underscores the laws of repentance in general. Before one can improve oneself, one first has to admit that he or she is not perfect!

There are many laws in the Torah, which, if properly kept, leads one to become a holy person. If a person wanted to take on extra obligations, he could do so in the form of the Nazirite Laws. In addition to the other laws in the Torah, a Nazirite could not drink wine, cut his hair or come into contact with the dead. When his period of Nezirut was concluded, he had to bring a number of sacrifices.

This forms the connection to the Haftarah, which deals with the birth of Samson the Judge. Samson was a Nazirite. He was immensely strong physically, but unfortunately he had a very weak character, which brought about his downfall.

More than half the sedrah is taken up with the ceremony of dedication of the Mishkan, the Tabernacle. This took place in the Sinai desert a year after the Jews left Egypt. Each tribe brought the same offering over a period of twelve days, one day for each tribe. They all brought the same, to demonstrate equality, that no one tribe was better then the other. And even though they all brought the same, the Torah describes each offering in detail. This helps us to imagine the great ceremony which took place, and shows us that each tribe is dealt with on an equal basis.

Points to Ponder - The Priestly Blessing

The blessing of the Kohanim, which we enjoy on every festival, has its source in this week's sidra. But what do the words of the blessings mean? Here is an explanation of the blessings, line by line:

Yevarechecha Hashem Veyishmerecha - May G-d bless you and protect you.
This refers to success in life. Rashi explains that Yevarechecha means that each person should be blessed with material possessions, and Veyishmerecha means that they should not be taken away from him. Rabbi N. Z. Y. Berlin (19th century) explains that Yevarechecha refers to success for each person in his chosen career, while Veyishmerecha means that the individual should be protected from negative consequences of his success – a Torah scholar from pride and a businessman from inappropriate use of his wealth.

Ya'er Hashem Panav elecha vichuneka - May G-d shine His face on you and be gracious to you.
The midrash explains that the 'shining of G-d's face' refers to the light of Torah, and is a spiritual blessing.

Yisa Hashem Panav Elecha Veyasem Lecha Shalom - May Hashem lift up his face towards you and give you peace.
The last line brings the blessings of material wealth and spiritual well-being together, crowned with the blessing of peace. Without a feeling of inner peace, the other blessings are not worth nearly as much.

Shabbat Shalom