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‘Beha’alot’kha’ means ‘when you mount [the lamps]’ and refers to the seven-branched candlestick, the Menorah, in the wilderness Sanctuary, symbolising God’s light flooding the seven days of Creation. The portion begins with light, the Menorah and the pillars of cloud and fire that led the Israelites through the wilderness. The two lights, taken together, remind us that God’s presence stretches from one end of the universe to the other, and is the guiding principle of all life.

However, many things obscure our spiritual vision and dim the light within us. Later in the portion, we get an account of the people’s gluttonous craving for more than manna, Moses’ anger at them, and Miriam and Aaron’s rebellion against Moses for marrying a Kushite woman.

When the manna first falls, God says: ‘Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my Torah, or not.’ (Exodus 16:4) Their craving obscured their ability to walk in God’s Torah.

Moses’ anger obscures his ability to trust in God. He says, ‘From where should I have meat to give to this entire people? For they weep to me, saying, Give us meat, that we may eat. I am not able to carry this entire people alone, because it is too heavy for me.’ (Numbers 11:13–14) God’s reply is to spread the gift of prophecy to 70 elders, as if to say, ‘You are not alone. You always have your fellow leaders, and you always have Me.’

Miriam and Aaron’s rebellion marks the only time that they remove their otherwise unwavering support from Moses. They criticise him for marrying a Kushite woman. Quite what the criticism is about remains unclear. Whatever it is, they believe Moses has done something to damage his reputation. When God punishes them both, ‘Miriam is punished corporally, Aaron is punished mentally’ (Plaut), Moses simply prays for Miriam’s healing, saying: ‘Please God, please heal her.’ (Numbers 12:16)

Many factors can eclipse God’s light for us. Gluttony, anger and over-concern for reputation being only three examples. We each have the ability to reach our true potential, to become the best we can be, to sense the outpouring of God’s light in all Creation, and the Shechinah, God’s indwelling, guiding Presence.

In the words of our Torah portion, ‘Would that all the Eternal’s people were prophets, that the Eternal put the divine spirit upon them!’

Parashat Beha'alot'kha (Numbers 8:1 - 12:16)

by Rabbi Stephen Howard