The Dedication of the Levites

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1. Why Are the Laws of the Nazir and the Sota Juxtaposed?

   Rabbi Amnon Bazak

   Why did the Torah position the episodes of Nazir and Sotah in proximity to the sanctification of the Levites? Apparently the Torah wishes to compare the sanctity of the Nazir to that of the Levites, indicating that anyone can achieve sanctity similar to that of the priests. The Sotah, on the other hand, is contrasted with the Nazir. This contrast is highlighted by details such as the prohibition to cut the Nazir’s hair, the commandment to cut the hair of the High Priest, and the letting down of the Soah’s hair. The hair is a Nezer – a crown – and the attitude toward this ornament changes based on the relative sanctity of the individual.

2. Short Thoughts on Shabbat Bahaalotcha - Travelling by the Direction of God

   Rabbi Ezra Bick | 7 minutes

   Our parasha describes Bnei Yisrael preparing to go to the Land of Israel, detailing procedure of encamping and moving with the different tribal positions and trumpets. What does it mean to travel "by the direction of God"?

   Later on in the Parsha, the Torah describes Moshe as “raising” the Leviim as a sacrifice  to consecrate them as Leviim.  What did it mean? Many commentaries look at this act as part of the miraculous atmosphere of the Divine Service in the desert.