This week’s parsha we learn something about Moshe, Aaron, Miriam, and the people of Israel, We are given the opportunity to see ourselves before the Most High in light of history with the lense of what it is, not what it appears to be to us. Throughout the TaNaKh and Torah we learn of most individuals behavior by their actions. In this portion we gain HaShem’s perspective. Moshe was the most humble Bambidbar 12:3. It is not left to our reasoning or insight. We are told and left to examine his behavior in that light.

Aaron was noted to have continued to kindle, or "cause to light up", a stronger verb. Of course Aaron continued to do what HaShem told him to do and how to do it. Why do we need to know he continued? As human beings we want to tweak, improve and have variety in our lives, the spice of life. The Creator knew what needed to be the constants, the mitzvot (commandments). Aaron chose to not follow his own desires, but to follow the mitzvot, daily as he lit the menorah.

The scriptures are often quiet about Miriam, Moshe’s older sister. She is a prophetess, a sister, a singer, a leader. In this parsha she criticized her brother Moshe, a quite human act. That act of lashon hara (evil speech or tongue) had a consequence. She contracted the spiritual/physical disease of tza’araat (leprosy) and was outside the camp until it resolved. Moshe prayed for her and her healing.

The people of Israel complained, as we do today. In this case wanting what wasn’t immediately available meat. It could have been almost anything. They knew the Most High as Aveinu Malkeinu, (Our Father, Our King). Instead of coming to Him, they complained.

Simply what can we take from those coming before us. We have practical lessons in attitude, speech, behavior, prayer, teshuvah and community. These are lessons that never grow old.

Moshe didn’t respond even when criticized. He let it fall on the Most High’s agenda. Moshe’s response was to pray for his sister as she was apart from the camp. Aaron didn’t neglect the little things or change them up to make life a bit less boring. He kept on keeping on, or guarding and observing the mitzvot. The Most High didn’t change who Miriam was, or her calling in the midst of the people because of what she did. There was a consequence and a time apart from the people to heal, do teshuvah (repent), and to rejoin the people again.

The Blessed One, Holy be He knows us. He knows our behavior and the attitudes behind it. When we need to be called apart to spend time in teshuvah, it is to mold us further in His image as we were created. We have the mitvot to hold on on the derech chayim) way of life as we live our lives in community before God. Learning to lean on our experiences of HaShem in our lives where He acted, and continuing to act, think and speak with emunah (faith) and bitachon (trust) is a lifelong process.

May we each be a light unto the nations and not hide this light from others. As Aaron lit the seven lamps of the menorah may we light the sparks of holiness and the Most High in those around us.

Ruth Etalka