Naso (Count)
By Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort
CARLSBAD, California — This week we continue in the Book of Numbers with the second portion, Naso, which means Count. It begins by continuing the census of the Levitical families started in our reading last week. In the course of this portion we come across a couple of very interesting, and frankly, somewhat ‘exotic’ commandments, Sota and Nazir.
The Sota was a woman whose husband was overcome with a feeling of jealousy and suspicion regarding his wife and a particular man who the husband suspected may have been her paramour. Her fidelity was tested by drinking ‘bitter waters’. If she was guilty the bitter waters would cause a reaction within her that ended in a very unpleasant death for her and the man with whom she sinned. On the other hand, if she was innocent she was blessed with tremendous and profound blessings. Interestingly, if her husband had any ‘skeletons’ in his closet the test would not work.
The Torah describes the procedure of the test in great detail. We learn in the commentaries how the Cohanim/Priests, who administered the test, did everything in their power to avoid the procedure. The fact is that part of the procedure included erasing the name of Hashem from a parchment, the dust of which was mixed into the water. We never want to see the erasure of the Divine Name. The section of Sota helps us to remember the necessity of clear boundaries in the interactions of the sexes. Many do not know that men and women should not remain in seclusion with each other. This prohibition is called ‘Yichud.’ It also reminds us not to put ourselves in compromising positions or into situations where we may be tempted to act inappropriately. We are forbidden from putting a ‘stumbling block in front of the blind.’ That would include our own evil inclination and animalistic appetites.
Following the portion of Sota we are taught the laws of a Nazir, also known as a Nazirite. A Nazir voluntarily takes upon himself an oath to maintain an enhanced level of holiness, foreswearing wine or beer, haircuts or shaving, and carefully remaining in a state of ritual purity. Typically the Nazirite status would remain for the articulated amount of time desired by the Nazir. At the end of the process he would bring a sin sacrifice as he resumed his previous status.
Why bring a sin offering after having lived in a more spiritual and holy manner than previously? The Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson answers that by foreswearing some of the permitted blessings of the physical world the Nazir has chosen to purposely miss the opportunity of elevating those elements of physicality. The optimal state for us to assume is one of engagement and refinement of the mundane world thereby elevating it to holiness.
The Rabbis comment on the proximity of the portion about the Sota with the portion about the Nazir. They explain that when the person sees the downfall of the Sota, he is moved to distance himself from the physical world, at least for some time, hence the Nazirite oath.
These days we do not really undertake to be a Nazir and we do not administer the test of the Sota. That does not mean, however, that these lessons do no apply. Perhaps now, more than ever, we need to treasure these commandments and pray for the day when Moshiach will come so that we can fulfill the Torah properly! G-d willing, when that happens, there will be no need to administer the test of the Sota, for the ways of sin will be eradicated permanently.
Wishing everyone an uplifting, joyous, and healthy Shabbos!
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Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort is Director of Coastal Chabads and Chabad at La Costa. Rabbi Eilfort welcomes readers’ comments and questions and may be reached at RabbiE@ChabadatLaCosta.com.