Bamidbar בְּמִדְבַּר - In the Wilderness
Torah Portion: Numbers 1:1-4:20
Numbers 3:1–13
3:1 Now this is the history of the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day that Hashem spoke with Moses in Mount Sinai. 2 These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
3 These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests who were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest’s office. 4 Nadab and Abihu died before Hashem when they offered strange fire before Hashem in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children. Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest’s office in the presence of Aaron, their father.
5 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 6 “Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him. 7 They shall keep his requirements, and the requirements of the whole congregation before the Tent of Meeting, to do the service of the tabernacle. 8 They shall keep all the furnishings of the Tent of Meeting, and the obligations of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle. 9 You shall give the Levites to Aaron and to his sons. They are wholly given to him on behalf of the children of Israel. 10 You shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall keep their priesthood, but the stranger who comes near shall be put to death.”
11 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 12 “Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn who open the womb among the children of Israel; and the Levites shall be mine, 13 for all the firstborn are mine. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I made holy to me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and animal. They shall be mine. I am Hashem.”
Today’s Meditation:
In verse 13, we learn that the firstborn of Israel, both man and animal, are holy to Hashem because of the loss of the firstborn of Egypt. Sometimes we reflect on Egypt and think that they were evil people. But in reality, Hashem loved them as He loved His people. The loss of the firstborn must have been very sad for Hashem. Now, in memory of them, He has the firstborn of His people dedicated to Him. With this dedication of the firstborn, all of mankind can remember the sadness and loss of the Egyptian firstborn. Forever. Let us never think that when an evil person dies, it is a good thing. Hashem loves everyone, and today’s reading shows this.
Today’s Challenge:
The Levites are Hashem’s. They are set apart and dedicated. How special that is. He has chosen them to take care of His House. To lead, prepare, and move. Hashem really does give all of us extraordinary callings. If you look at your own life, you can probably see where He has given you a special assignment. When you figure this out, you must carry it out with love and care, without grumbling. Sometimes the things He gives us to do are not easy. We do our best and honor Him. That is my challenge for you today. Do your best with what He has called you to do. If you have been messing up, start over today. Every day is a new day and a new chance to make things right.
