Parashat Nasso

Parasha Thoughts

By Rabbi Shlomo Zargari

Shalom,

It is known that the portion of Zohar Hakadosh on this week’s parasha is longer than usual, more so than other parashiot. The Hidushe Ha Rim Z”L (Rabbi Yitzchok Meir Alter 1799-1866) explains that this is because most years this parasha is read after Shavuot, the holiday of Matan Torah, when the heavens open up and the Fountain of Wisdom gives forth its energy to the Holy Nation. In this parasha, we must try to understand what message HaShem is sending us after this holiday, after the fifty days of counting the Omer and all the preparations, and after standing at Har Sinai. What message must we take as we are sent back to our tents and return to daily life?

Our parasha contains the portion about the Nazir. One who wants to be holy, to grow and to stay there, what is he to do? We hear about Nazirites and other people who try to mimic this ritual such as monks and “holy people ” in different cultures. They live like hermits, join monasteries, separate themselves from everything, or inflict themselves with pain. In truth, our Torah does not prescribe this. You want to be kadosh? You want to be holy? A Nazir? Don’t drink wine, don’t contaminate your self with a dead bod, and don’t get a haircut- that’s it! No need to separate yourself from your family, job and society. Don’t inflict pain upon yourself- just elevate yourself a notch.

This is the teaching of the Torah and an obligation to all – don’t be a fanatic or an extremist. Just accept upon yourself a few things you can do, learn Halachot of Shabbat, say Birkat HaMazon from a Sidur, attend one more shiur on regular basis, make your Tefila better etc…

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