Naso 2019

Parsha Naso  2019                                                                             June 15, 2019

Numbers 4:21-7:89,  haftarah Judges 13:2-5, New Covenant: Luke 1:11-20

At 176 verses, Naso is the longest single parsha in all the Torah. It covers five important topics, including the Aaronic blessing, which we have come to dearly love and proclaim upon all for whom we are praying.  The census of the Levites, the gifts presented by the leaders of the 12 tribes for the dedication of the Tabernacle, the instructions regarding the wife suspected of adultery, and, the Nazarite vow are also included this week. We will briefly comment on each and demonstrate how they are related.

The word “naso”, Strong’s 5375, deserves some attention. The English translation used in the opening of our parsha is generally “take” and it also means to “elevate”, “lift up” and “bear”.  But, according to Strong’s Concordance, it also means “to forgive, to pardon, to accept, to marry, and to exalt.