Candle lighting time is 8:19
Shabbos
This week’s parshah is Behaalosecha. I will offer just a short commentary on this parshah since a sore back does not allow me to sit at the computer for a long period of time. I would like to comment, however, about two things that happen in this parsha.
First, I would like to mention Chapter XI in which the Children Of Israel cry about the manna that they are receiving as sustenance from God, bewailing the fact that they are not receiving meat. And God is very displeased with the people as a result. But who can blame Him? Our mighty God has delivered the people from Egypt and parted the Red Sea so that they could safely pass, and still the people are unhappy and questioning how God is providing for them. This absolutely amazes me.
And then, in Chapter XII we have Miriam and Aaron speaking against Moses, despite all that he has done, in disapproval of his marriage to a Cushite woman. But God defends Moses, His greatest servant, and punishes Miriam with leprosy. Moses, however, appeals to God’s mercy, and Miriam is cured and allowed back among the people after being banished for seven days.
Memorial Day
On Monday we observe the holiday of Memorial Day. For many it is a day to shop or picnic, but it is important that we never forget the reason why Memorial Day was created in the first day – to honor our soldiers who gave their lives to protect our freedom. We see in our Torah that all too often the Children of Israel took for granted all that God did for them and all that God provided to them. Let us never take for granted the soldiers who sacrificed their lives so that we may live in this great country.