Parashas Nasso

Our Parsha this Shabbos is Parashas Nasso.In this Parsha,the responsibilities of the Kohanim are given by HaShem as well as the purification of the camp and then the Laws of the Sotah are discussed which deal with an unfaithful wife who gets brought to the Kohen where she faces the test of the Sotah.After this,the Laws of the Nazarite are discussed where a Jew who wishes to elevate him or herself takes the Nazarite Vow to abstain from wine and grapes,cutting of the hair and not to come near a dead person for the period of his or her Nezirus so as to elevate him or herself spiritually.Thereafter the Torah discusses the Priestly Blessing through HaShem ,Who Blesses K'lal Yisrael.The Sedra ends with the offerings brought for the Tabernacle, by the Tribal Leaders,all miraculously bringing identical offerings.So this Sedra talks of Holiness and ways of elevating oneself as well as that couples must keep themselves faithful to each other.HaShem Sees it so important that faithfulness must exist between couples that He would even let His Name be erased in the bitter waters,for the sake of keeping faithfulness and Sholom Bait in the home.
The word 'Nasso,' the Name of this Sedra , refers to the 'Census' that HaShem Commanded Moshe to take ,of the sons of Gershon ,who were Levites.Though the word 'Nasso,' in this Sedra means 'Take a Census,' this word comes from the root Hebrew Word 'Nasa,' which means 'To Elevate.'This is what HaShem's Laws do.They elevate us so that we can rise above our physicalities and Yetzer Horah that pulls us down ,so that we can come to HaShem in closeness.The Laws in this Sedra are all to do with rising above the Physical.The Law of the Nazarite is to choose to elevate the one making the Nazarite Vow above their physical desires,by abstaining from wine and keeping holy as a Kohen does.The Laws of the Sotah,where a woman who was warned to stay away from one that is not her husband,but continued to do that which was not faithful and gets tested by the waters of the Sotah into which HaShem's name is written and dissolved,also is a strong reminder to keep holiness and elevate the couple to a faithful way of living so that they can keep a high spiritual level and modesty and faithfulness within the home as HaShem Wants of us.The bringing of the offerings by each tribe to inaugurate the Tabernacle,is again the elevation of physical things to a level of holiness.The Priestly Blessing is an opportunity for HaShem's Shechinah to stand behind the Kohanim as they stand to bless the people with open fingers through which HaShem's Blessing passes.This,a beautiful way that HaShem Elevates His People.
So this Sedra is all about elevation toward G-D .HaShem's Holy Laws are given out of love.HaShem's Holy Laws refine us and bring us to G-D .Each and every Law brings us closer to Him . The idea of a Korban is to bring closeness between HaShem and us. The word 'Korban,' has within it the Hebrew word 'Karov,' which means 'Close.' Every Law is to bring us closeness with our Creator.It is not to control us, but it is a show of Love, how deeply HaShem wants us with Him . Each Law is a 'Nasa,' an 'Elevation,' above the physical bounds that hold us and allows us to fly high toward G-D as a candle's flame yearns to climb upwards.Infact a Candle in Hebrew is 'Ner,' which is close to the word 'Nasso.'The Hebrew word 'Neis,' means 'Miracle,' which has the same Hebrew roots as the word 'Nasso.' Each Law that G-D Gives is a miracle.We may not see that now, but we cannot imagine the beauty that our obedience to HaShem's Laws bring.The very Creation is a miracle.Our very existance is a miracle.The word 'Neis,' - ' Miracle,' exists within the word 'Nasso,' which comes from the word 'Nasa,'showing that HaShem's Laws are there to elevate us to the final purpose of the miracle of Creation .
Within the 'Neis,' - 'Miracle,' of our 'Nasa,'-'Elevation,' we come to G-D and that is the most beautiful Miracle of all .If only all could see this .If only all could realize that just being obedient to G-D , will bring on the greatest Miracle of all , the meeting with G-D Himself .
As each of us come to be counted 'Nasso,' to keep HaShem's Laws , so will the final destination of this Creation reach its most beautiful 'Neis,' - 'Miracle,' and come to meet HaShem .
May we all work to elevate ourselves by being counted as part of HaShem's intended Creation where we come together with HaShem .
With love to HaShem , I wish HaShem with Love a Beautiful Shabbos Kodesh with Love and to all, a beautiful Shabbos Kodesh with love.