Weekly Message 06.05.2026 Parashat Behaalotecha
- jccwestpasco
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Parashat Behaalotecha ( When you raise) Numbers 8:1 - 12:16
HafTorah Zachariah 2:14 - 4:7
Dear friends,
As we launch our summer season, we continue our reading of the Book of Bamidbar (Numbers) with the first triennial part of the portion of B'haalot'cha which includes two important concepts, that of the Menorah and that of the second Passover or Pesach Sheni (פסח שני ).
Originally commanded in the Book of Exodus (25:31-40), the concept of the Menorah and that of light in general is central to Judaism. The menorah symbolized the ideal of universal enlightenment. The seven lamps allude to the branches of human knowledge represented by the six lamps inclined inwards towards, and symbolically guided by, the light by the central lamp. The menorah also symbolizes the creation in seven days, with the center light representing the Shabbat. Replenished with olive oil, the Menorah traveled in the holy Tabernacle throughout the journey in the wilderness and then in the Temple of Jerusalem and carried off to Rome after the destruction of the second Temple.
As we read through this part of the Torah, we are reminded that light is so critical to our faith and that of our entire universe. Light enables us to see the beauty of the people and places that surround us and reminds us of the gifts of Hashem and our duty to protect them. We light candles to celebrate Shabbat and Yom Tov, and we light candles to remember those who have come before us during the Shiva period of mourning and at each yahrzeit. And of course, at Hanukkah, we light the larger Menorah to represent the miraculous survival of the oil needed to provide the flame. Indeed, the first Aliyah that we will be reading this Shabbat morning is the same portion that we read on the last day of Hanukkah.
In this week's Haftorah (Zachariah 2:14-4:7), the prophet refers to the candlestick of gold with its teaching that Hashem is the source of all light. And it contains one of the most powerful statements in our liturgy (4:6).
לֹא בְחַיִל וְלֹא בְכֹחַ כִּי אִם־בְּרוּחִי אָמַר יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת
"Not by might nor by power, but by my spirit says of Lord of hosts"
Peace and prosperity will come about by exercising the spirit in which we are endowed by Hashem. It does not come about through might and power! This concept is so important that we read the same Haftorah on the Shabbat of Hanukkah.
And in Bamidbar 9:1-14, we encounter the opportunity for those who were not able to observe the Passover sacrifice and festival to do so on a single day, one month after the traditional time during the middle of the month of Iyar. Although the reasons given in the Torah are not always particularly relevant to today's time, but it gives all those who for whatever reason could not observe Passover, a second chance. And one that my family and I took advantage of when Chris was undergoing a bone marrow transplant during the traditional Pesach week.
There is so much to be studied and learned in this week's Shabbat observance and I hope to share these and other thoughts with you at our services this evening at 7 pm and tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 9:30 am both in-person and virtually on Zoom.
And please note the summer activities below and be a part of our wonderful community by participating in as many as you can!
Shabbat Shalom
Ron Becker,
Spiritual Leader
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COMING EVENTS - MARK YOU CALENDARS
Saturday, June 6 We will host our monthly Game Night and Havdalah at 7 pm.
Friday, June 19 We will have a Shabbat "Juneteenth" dinner after services which will begin at 6:30 pm (note the earlier starting time).
Tuesday, June 30 We will volunteer at Metropolitan Ministries bringing sustenance, clothing, and hope to those in need at the headquarters at 3216 US-19, Holiday, FL 34691, at 11am-2 pm. Please sign up to help at this link: https://vhub.at/1L1BLIK
Wednesday, July 8 We will be participating in Jewish Heritage Night at Tropicana Field when the Rays take on the New York Yankees at 6:40 pm. We will be carpooling from the synagogue parking lot at 4:30 pm. In addition to the game and sitting with our Jewish friends from throughout our region, each participant will receive a commemorative jersey.
Thursday, July 23 We will observe Tisha B'Av with the reading of the Book of Lamentations (Eichah) composed by the Prophet Jeremiah at 9 am.
Tuesday, July 28 We will volunteer at Metropolitan Ministries bringing sustenance, clothing, and hope to those in need at the headquarters at 3216 US-19, Holiday, FL 34691, at 11am-2 pm. Please sign up to help at this link: https://vhub.at/1L1BLIK
Stay tuned for the upcoming High Holy Day activities schedule from September 5th (Selichot) through October 4th (Simchat Torah)!
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