Martin H. van den Bergh

We continue to face hostilities in Israel and beyond, so we need to support one another. Although we should always care for each other, that responsibility is especially urgent now. By doing so, we can bring light to one another. This message is reflected in the connection between Beha’alotecha, which is read this Shabbat in Israel, and Naso, which is read in the Diaspora.

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Because Shavuot was celebrated only in Israel last Friday, Israel read Naso last Shabbat and will read Beha’alotecha this coming Shabbat. In the Diaspora, however, Naso will be read this Shabbat because the second day of Shavuot had its own Torah reading. This difference between the Shabbat parashah readings in Israel and the Diaspora will continue until Shabbat 26th June, when Israel will read Balak and the Diaspora will read the double sidra of Chukat–Balak.

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Both Naso and Beha’alotecha teach that light can overcome adversity.

This is reflected in the Torah reading for the last day of Chanukah, which is taken from the end of Naso and the beginning of Beha’alotecha. Chanukah, also known as Chag HaOrim, the Festival of Light, commemorates the victory over the Greeks and the rededication of the Temple after it was desecrated. It also symbolises light overcoming darkness, just as positivity can overcome negativity. We can draw the same lesson from the second blessing of the Priestly Blessing: “May God make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.” Through this blessing, we pray not only for God’s light to shine upon us, but also for the inspiration to bring light to others. In this way, we can ease the suffering of those around us as we all continue to face challenges.