"Subject matter in the Bible
is often arranged and linked together by a process of thought and, in
particular, word association, probably originally designed as an aid to
memory."1 This principle is well
illustrated in Parashat Nasso. There is no need to look far and wide in the
Parasha's three and a half chapters for a unifying theme. It is apparent. In spite of the assortment of different and
seemingly unrelated subjects that the Parasha presents, the root of “nasso"
pops up in a number of places and in different connotations.
Bamidbar 4:22 says:
"Lift the heads of the sons of Gershon…" (literal translation).
"Lift" here is "nasso," of the root n.s.a
(noon, sin, alef), which we have already encountered in previous portions, and
several times in the same context of taking a census in last week’s Parasha (of
the leaders of the sons of Israel 1:2, and of the Kohathites 4:2)2. Although
the English translations use the imperative form ("take" or
"lift"), in actual fact this is not what the Hebrew text says. The
form “nasso” which is used here as a charge, is more like the English present
progressive, rendering “nasso” almost as, "lifting up." This unusual usage in an address form (cf. 3:40
in last week's Parasha, where the usual imperative form "sa" was
used) serves to call attention to this verb and lends it the character of a
noun.
Let us follow "nasso" throughout our
Parasha and examine its usages within the contexts of the different topics
presented. The reason for the census as
it applies to the Gershonite priests is given as: "This is the service of
the families of the Gershonites, in serving and in bearing burdens
["masa"]… they shall bear ["venas'ou"]
the curtains of the tabernacle, and the tent of meeting, its covering, and the
covering of sealskin that is above upon it, and the screen for the door of the
tent of meeting… At the commandment of Aaron and his sons shall be all the
service of the sons of the Gershonites, in all their burden
["masa'am"], and in all their service; and you shall appoint unto
them the charge of all their burden ["masa'am"]” (4:24,25,27
italics added).
"Lifting" and "bearing
a burden" are both of the root n.s.a, which describes the essence
of the Gershonites' service in the Mishkan. The Meraris' census, on the other
hand, is not qualified by the verb n.s.a, but rather by “pakod,” which
is translated "number" but basically means to “attend
or visit" (it was also used in this form in last week’s Parasha in relationship
to the census of the army, ch. 2). Yet the Merari’s work is also described as
"a charge of their burden" (v. 31), which is, once again, "masa."
Altogether the essence of the Levites and their work may therefore be described
as: "All those that were numbered of the Levites… every one that
entered in to do the work of service, and the work of bearing burdens
["masa"] in the tent of meeting… every one that entered in to do his
work of service, and the work of his burden ["masa'o"] in the
tent of meeting… they were numbered by the hand of Moses, each according to his
service and his burden…" (4: 46, 47,49, italics added). The
ultimate purpose of "bearing" these "burdens" (literally
“carrying” or “lifting”), was in order to "lift high” or “elevate” the One
to Whom the Levites were rendering this service.
However, the root n.s.a accompanies us all the way
to the end of the Parasha, where the twelve leaders of the tribes are seen
making their respective offerings for the inauguration of the Mishkan (7:2ff).
Each of those “leaders” is called “nassi” - “one who is elevated.” Because of
the specific conjugation that is used for this noun, its literal translation should
be, “one who is elevate-able.” In other words, the leaders were not
merely the heads of their tribes by virtue of birth; in order to be in their
lofty positions they had to be equal to these positions - proving their
faithfulness and leadership capabilities.
The next section where the
root n.s.a makes an appearance is at the very end of the "law of
jealousy" (5:11-31), as it is called (or “Sota” – ‘sinning woman’), which
is the inspection of possible adultery on the part of a married woman. If and
when proven that the wife has transgressed in such a manner, and after having
gone through the various rites enumerated, she was to "bear
["tisa"] her iniquity" (v. 31, italics added). Whereas the
priests’ duties in "bearing the burdens" of the Mishkan were of the
more 'uplifting' kind, here "nasso" connotes 'carrying' a heavy
burden of guilt.
The issue of "lifting" comes up again in
the famous priestly or Aaronic blessing or benediction, which seals chapter 6.
Toward the end of the blessing we read: "YHVH lift up
["yisa"] His face upon you and give you peace" (v. 26, italics
added), which is an altogether different application of the root n.s.a,
touching Elohim and His relationship with His People. Notice that the whole
benediction is written in second person singular, implying that each individual
within the Nation is being addressed. "Yisa YHVH panav," the lifting
of YHVH's face, or countenance "toward you" or "upon you"
indicates favor, acceptance, and turning toward the object of the benediction
(as we have already seen in the past, regarding the meaning of "face"
- "panim"), thus instilling hope in one’s heart.
Finally, chapter 7 is dedicated in its entirety to
the offerings brought for the dedication of the Mishkan (or "Ohel
Mo'ed") by the "princes" or "leaders," the "nesi'im",
those who are "lifted up" (verses 2,3). “Nesi’im” is also plural
for “cloud.” In Proverbs we find this word used metaphorically: “Whoever
falsely boasts of giving is like clouds
and wind without rain” (Proverbs 25:14, italics added). In Jude the same
imagery is used (v 12), regarding “ungodly men who creep unnoticed” among
YHVH’s own, and “who turn the grace of our Elohim into lewdness and deny the
only Lord YHVH and our Master Yeshua Messiah” (Jude v 4).
Let us return now to
Umberto Cassuto, who makes the following point: "The book of Bamidbar is
arranged chiefly after such a fashion… with various items being included
because of a similarity of thought, or phrases recurring in the chapters
concerned…"4, as, indeed, is the case of the root n.s.a. Cassuto
incorporates other examples from our Parasha: "The laws applying to the
suspected adulteress (5:11-31) succeed by those treating the Nazirite (6:1-21), after which is
appended the formula for the priestly blessing (6:22-27)." Preceding the law of the suspected adulteress,
which focuses on a "man's wife [who] trespasses a trespass
[“uma'ala bo ma'al”]," are the laws of the guilt offering,
where we encounter the phrase "to do a trespass/commit unfaithfulness
["li'm'ol ma'al"] against YHVH" (5:6 italics
added). Before we continue to follow our
‘chain,’ let us pause to look at the verb “ma’al.” A common noun that stems
from the same root is “m’eel,” which simply means a “robe.” Thus we infer that
“trespass” is a form of deception, as it is rooted an attempt to cover up one’s
actions. By contrast, we read in Yishayahu (Isaiah) 61:10: “…For He [YHVH] has
clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe
– m’eel - of righteousness…”
Back to Bamidbar 5:18,
where it says about the adulteress: "And the priest shall set the woman
before YHVH, and let the hair of the woman's head go loose -
u'fara" (italics added). In 6:5 it says concerning the Nazirite: "He
shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow long - "pera."
Both u'fara and pera share the root p/f.r.a (pey/fey, resh, ayin). According to
the above-mentioned principle, the similarities shared by the Nazarite and the high
priest, both of whom are not to touch the dead (cf. 6:6 Lev. 21:11), are the
reason why the Priestly Blessing is appended to this chapter which deals with
the Nazirite's laws.
Within the specifications of the laws of guilt
offering and compensation, mentioned in 5:5-10, the topic of confession -
"viduy" - comes up (v. 7). This is not the first time we encounter
this topic. In fact, we have already examined the term in Parashat Vayikra
(Lev. 1-5, e.g. 5:5). Sefer Ha-hinukh sheds further light on this issue:
"The verbal confession of guilt provides an indication that the sinner
truly believes that all his deeds are revealed and known to the Lord, blessed
be He, and he will not deny the omnipresence of the All-seeing. Again, by
verbally specifying the sin and regretting it, he will be more careful in the
future not to stumble thereon. After he has said with his mouth… he will as a
result, become reconciled with His maker. The good God who desires the welfare
of His creatures guided them in this path through which they would gain
merit."5 Similarly, we read in 1st John: "If we confess
our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness" (1:9). Hirsh notes that the form of the Hebrew
verb "to confess," "hitvadeh," conjugated as it is (in the "hitpa'el"
form) “…indicates that the confession consists of man speaking to himself,
admonishing his [own] conscience."6
Let us conclude by reviewing
once again the case of the jealous husband from another angle. When Yeshua came
up out of the grave on the first of the week (see John 20:1) He was acting as the
fulfillment of the first of the Omer, which was “waved for our acceptance” (see
Lev. 23:11). An omer of barley (i.e. one
tenth of an ephah, see Ex. 16:36), was also to be used as an offering by the
husband who was overcome by a spirit of jealousy, and so we read in 5:15 “… the
man shall bring his wife to the priest. He shall bring the offering required
for her, one-tenth of an ephah of barley meal…” (emphasis
added). The priest was then to make the woman drink bitter water in
order to determine whether she was innocent or not (ref. 5:17,18, 22-24, 27),
with the effect of the drink on her body being such that it would disclose her
true state. When on the stake, Yeshua was also given a bitter drink (gall mixed
with wine), which although He did not actually drink, He did taste (see Matt.
27:34). Thus, Yeshua as the jealous husband (see Ex. 25:5; 34:14; Deut.
6:12-16 etc.), whose wife Israel has gone astray (e.g. Jer. 3:6) has also
become the very offering for her sin, the Priest who makes the offering (e.g. Heb.
5:10), and the One who takes upon Himself her transgression, drinking, as it
were, the bitter drink in her place.
Notes:
1 Umberto Cassuto in New
Studies in Bamidbar, Nechama Leibowitz, trans.
Aryeh Newman. Eliner Library, Department for
Torah Education and Culture in the
Diaspora. Hemed Books Inc., Brooklyn , N.Y.
2 For more on the root n.s.a,
look up Hebrew Insights into Parashat B’resheet (Genesis - with special reference to 3: 13;
4:7, 13).
3 Although "nasso"
in reference to the Kohathites is found in last week’s Parashat Bamidbar (Numbers) 4:2.
4 Umberto Cassuto in New Studies
in Bamidbar, Leibowitz
5 Ibid.
6 Ibid.
