The Presence is Present

Last Shabbos, we finished reading the third book of the Torah, Vayikra (Leviticus), and next Shabbos we start reading the fourth book, Bamidbar (Numbers).

Here are some thoughts on the first verse in next week’s parsha…

In Bamidbar (1:1), it says Hashem spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, in the Tent of Meeting, on the first of the second month, in the second year after their exodus from the land of Egypt, saying…

The Kli Yakar asks why our verse in Bamidbar (1:1) says in the Tent of Meeting whereas an earlier verse in Vayikra (1:1) says from the Tent of Meeting?

The Kli Yakar answers that in Vayikra (1:1), Moses wasn’t able to enter the Tent of Meeting because the Divine Presence, represented as a cloud, was resting upon it. Therefore, when Hashem (God) called and spoke to Moses from the Tent of Meeting, Moses was standing outside the Tent of Meeting.

However, by our verse in Bamidbar (1:1), Moses was already able to enter the Tent of Meeting. Therefore, when Hashem called and spoke to Moses from above the Cover of the Ark of the Covenant, Moses was standing inside the Tent of Meeting.

What happened between Vayikra (1:1) and Bamidbar (1:1) that suddenly allowed Moses to enter the Tent of Meeting?

The Kli Yakar explains that Vayikra (1:1) takes place on the first day of the Hebrew month of Nissan. On that day, the Tabernacle was erected and the Divine Presence, represented as a cloud, descended to the Tent of Meeting.

The verse in Bamidbar (1:1) takes place on the first of the second month, the first day of the Hebrew month of Iyar, exactly one month after Vayikra (1:1).

Why did the Divine Presence need a month to allow Moses to enter?

The Kli Yakar answers that it takes thirty days for a temporary dwelling to become permanent. The date in Bamidbar (1:1), the first of the second month, signifies the day that the Divine Presence not only descended, but made a permanent residence in the Tent Of Meeting in order to dwell amongst the Jewish people.

Blogging The Bible

In Judaism, we read one parsha (section) in the Torah (Bible) in Synagogue (Shul) each week, completing the entire Torah once every year. Jews all over the world learn and study the weekly parsha and then share their thoughts and understandings with family, friends, and guests around the Shabbos table Friday night and Saturday day.

Unfortunately, though, our multiple daily responsibilities and obligations pull us in so many different directions that often times its difficult to find the time necessary to do this learning. Modern life is busy and competes for our attention and concentration.

This blog is intended to share some thoughts and ideas on the weekly parsha from the classical commentaries on the Torah. I intend to keep the posts shorter rather than longer and simpler rather than complex for ease of reading and understanding.

Please enjoy the posts, share them at your Shabbos tables, and give me feedback if you think I can improve the blog.