Two Minute Torah Podcast

Naso 5771 by Rabbi Elyse Winick

Shalom and welcome to KOACH's Two Minute Torah, a project of the Department of College Outreach of The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. This is Rabbi Elyse Winick, Associate Director for KOACH.

Parashat Naso points us in a direction of yearning and perfection, to an ideal world empty of transgression and impurity. It is heady with this dream, overwhelming to the mere mortals who read it. Yet if we can hear its words as aspirational, as an ascending ladder of holiness, we may be able to approach its fulfillment even in light of our limitations. But if we seek to move beyond impurity, to place its contamination outside the camp, we need a deeper understanding. We must move beyond the notion of purity and impurity as categories reflecting a physical state and grapple with the purity and impurity of our souls rather than our bodies.

The impure soul suffers a spiritual deficit. It is shattered and broken and we the bearers of these blemished souls must engage in ritual steps to bring us back to wholeness. These steps do not clean us, because we are not dirty. They help us restore our coherent unity as individuals enabling us to reenter the community and participate wholly and fully. It is a daunting task. Our diminished souls leave us in a weakened state less able to draw on the strength necessary to complete the task.

Yet Parashat Naso implies that we are not expected to do this alone. Hidden among the rules and correctives we find the following passage: "The Lord spoke to Moses saying, 'Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying,' In this way you shall bless the children of Israel', saying to them,'The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord's face shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord's countenance be upon you and grant you peace.' And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel and I shall bless them."

We are not alone. The Holy One is our partner in this endeavor and God seeks to immerse us in blessing, to cast a protective shield upon us, to simultaneously prop us up and protect us from evil. A better partner in the healing of our souls would be difficult to find.

In those dark moments when our souls are frayed, we may hide from God. We may let our weakness become fear. But it is in those moments when we most need to reach out, to find shelter and comfort in God's hand. Often those are the moments when our quest for holiness, lying in sharp relief against the darkness can be most sweet and most fulfilling, when wholeness and holiness merge.

Shabbat Shalom.