May 25, 2018 – Naso
Howdy! I write to you from Dallas, Texas and the national annual meeting of the Boy Scouts of America. This week the National Jewish Committee on Scouting has been meeting, working to bring Scouting to more Jewish youth. You can help by inviting a friend to join you in the fun and adventure of Scouts!
Dear Scouts,
Parsha Naso begins this week with the continuation of the counting of the Tribe of Levi, which has three families – Kohath, Gershon and Merari. In last week’s parasha, the family of Kohath was counted. They had the honor of carrying the Holy Ark during our travels in the Wildnerness.
In this week’s parasha, the other families are counted. The second sentence of the parasha is God’s instruction to Moses, “Take a census of the sons of Gershon, as well, according to their fathers’ household, according to their families.” The men of Gershon carried the covering of the MIshkan (Tabernacle) and the screen and hangings that surrounded the Mishkan.
The great Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (1895-1986) explained the words “as well” ties this count of the Gershonites to the prior count of the Kohathites. This means the work of the Gershonites in carrying the skins and fabrics which covered and surrounded the Mishkan is just as important as the work of the Kohathites in carrying the Ark. Every task related to moving the Mishkan was equally important.
In the same way, the role of each of us in living lives of Torah is important. Even if I am not a Torah scholar, my studies are important because they increase the knowledge of Torah. My modest contributions to my synagogue are still important, even though they are smaller than the gifts of other people. Though I cannot spend an entire day helping with a community service project, without my efforts it will not be completed even with the work of people who put in several days.
The Talmudic sage Rabbi Tarfon said, “You are not required to complete the task, but you may not withdraw from it.” (Pirke Avot [Ethics of the Fathers] 2:21)
Or, as we promise in the Scout Oath, “to do my best”.
Shabbat shalom,
Nelson