Parashat Beha'alotcha
„The light of the Messiah does not fear brazenness, not the abandonment of the Torah and the flight from the schoolhouse implied in the verse 'And they journeyed from the mountain of the Lord,' and not the complaining and degradation to the point of lusting a lust and demanding meat.”From Shemonah Kevatzim VIII, 157
In our portion, the people of Israel begins a journey of maturation. It comes with demands and burdens Moses our teacher, who distributes authority. Thus, the work of the menorah is done by the artisan Bezalel; thus the need for the Levites as leaders who convey the word of the people to Moses; thus in the craving for meat and in further demands. At the beginning of the passage, Rav Kook explains that Moses is the closest connection of the people of Israel to the Torah, but alongside this the people craves the leadership of a Messiah who sees every person as part of the creation and of holiness. One that understands the forces and capacities of the people and makes use of them. We too can learn the need to lead from a place of humility that sees the need of the souls. Within ourselves, in our home, and in all the layers of life.
*
For the Book Week offer:
From the community archive of Mishpetei HaRav Kook — studying Rav Kook's teachings since 2011.