From your Torah portion:
(מו) כׇּֽל־הַפְּקֻדִ֡ים אֲשֶׁר֩ פָּקַ֨ד מֹשֶׁ֧ה וְאַהֲרֹ֛ן וּנְשִׂיאֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל אֶת־הַלְוִיִּ֑ם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם וּלְבֵ֥ית אֲבֹתָֽם׃ (מז) מִבֶּ֨ן שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים שָׁנָה֙ וָמַ֔עְלָה וְעַ֖ד בֶּן־חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה כׇּל־הַבָּ֗א לַעֲבֹ֨ד עֲבֹדַ֧ת עֲבֹדָ֛ה וַעֲבֹדַ֥ת מַשָּׂ֖א בְּאֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד׃ (מח) וַיִּהְי֖וּ פְּקֻדֵיהֶ֑ם שְׁמֹנַ֣ת אֲלָפִ֔ים וַחֲמֵ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת וּשְׁמֹנִֽים׃ (מט) עַל־פִּ֨י יהוה פָּקַ֤ד אוֹתָם֙ בְּיַד־מֹשֶׁ֔ה אִ֥ישׁ אִ֛ישׁ עַל־עֲבֹדָת֖וֹ וְעַל־מַשָּׂא֑וֹ וּפְקֻדָ֕יו אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֥ה יהוה אֶת־מֹשֶֽׁה׃ {פ}
(46) All the Levites whom Moses, Aaron, and the chieftains of Israel recorded by the clans of their ancestral houses, (47) from the age of thirty years up to the age of fifty, all who were subject to duties of service and porterage relating to the Tent of Meeting— (48) those recorded came to 8,580. (49) Each one was given responsibility for his service and porterage at the command of Adonai through Moses, and each was recorded as Adonai had commanded Moses.
In Parashat Naso, we see that each Levite is assigned a specific task in the service of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). This passage highlights the importance of designated roles and responsibilities within a larger community. Rather than everyone performing the same work, each individual has a unique function that contributes to the overall success and holiness of the Mishkan.
Some things to think about:
- How does the idea that each person has a specific role within the community help create a sense of purpose and belonging? How do we balance individual roles with collective responsibility?
- In what ways do you see different roles being assigned in your own communities—whether at school, work, or in other groups? How does recognizing individual strengths contribute to the success of a team or organization?
- The Levites' roles were assigned based on divine instruction. How do we determine our own roles in life? What factors—such as personal strengths, circumstances, or external guidance—help shape our sense of purpose?
- What happens when someone feels their assigned role is less important than someone else’s? How can we cultivate an appreciation for all contributions, even those that seem small or behind-the-scenes?
- How can we honor and support the unique roles that others play in our lives and communities? What steps can we take to help others recognize and fulfill their own unique purposes?
From your Torah portion:
(כב) וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יהוה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר׃ (כג) דַּבֵּ֤ר אֶֽל־אַהֲרֹן֙ וְאֶל־בָּנָ֣יו לֵאמֹ֔ר כֹּ֥ה תְבָרְכ֖וּ אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל אָמ֖וֹר לָהֶֽם׃ {ס} (כד) יְבָרֶכְךָ֥ יהוה וְיִשְׁמְרֶֽךָ׃ {ס} (כה) יָאֵ֨ר יהוה ׀ פָּנָ֛יו אֵלֶ֖יךָ וִֽיחֻנֶּֽךָּ׃ {ס} (כו) יִשָּׂ֨א יהוה ׀ פָּנָיו֙ אֵלֶ֔יךָ וְיָשֵׂ֥ם לְךָ֖ שָׁלֽוֹם׃ {ס} (כז) וְשָׂמ֥וּ אֶת־שְׁמִ֖י עַל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַאֲנִ֖י אֲבָרְכֵֽם׃ {ס}
(22) Adonai spoke to Moses: (23) Speak to Aaron and his sons: Thus shall you bless the people of Israel. Say to them:(24) Adonai bless you and protect you!(25) Adonai deal kindly and graciously with you! (26) Adonai bestow favor upon you and grant you peace!
(27) Thus they shall link My name with the people of Israel, and I will bless them.
This passage contains the Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing), one of the most well-known and enduring examples of prescripted prayer in Jewish tradition. Unlike spontaneous or personal prayer, these words are given directly by God to the Kohanim, who are instructed to bless the people using this specific formula. This raises important questions about the power of structured prayer—how set words can carry deep meaning, connect generations, and create moments of holiness. It also invites reflection on the role of personal intention (kavanah) within fixed prayers, and how ritualized words can still feel authentic and meaningful.
Some things to think about:
- What is the value of prescripted prayers, such as the Priestly Blessing, compared to spontaneous, personal prayer? How do set words help shape our spiritual experiences?
- The Priestly Blessing has been recited for thousands of years. How does repeating the same words across generations create a sense of continuity and connection in Jewish practice?
- Some people find deep meaning in structured prayer, while others feel it can become rote or impersonal. How can we bring personal intention (kavanah) to fixed prayers so they remain spiritually engaging?
- This passage describes the Kohanim as the ones delivering the blessing, but ultimately, it is God who blesses the people. What does this teach us about the role of human beings as conduits for blessing, and how might we act as vessels for bringing goodness into the world?
- The Priestly Blessing is often used in modern settings, such as parents blessing children on Friday nights. Why do you think this blessing has remained so central in Jewish tradition? How does it shape relationships and moments of holiness today?
From your Torah portion:
(יא) וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יהוה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֑ה נָשִׂ֨יא אֶחָ֜ד לַיּ֗וֹם נָשִׂ֤יא אֶחָד֙ לַיּ֔וֹם יַקְרִ֙יבוּ֙ אֶת־קׇרְבָּנָ֔ם לַחֲנֻכַּ֖ת הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃ {ס} (יב) וַיְהִ֗י הַמַּקְרִ֛יב בַּיּ֥וֹם הָרִאשׁ֖וֹן אֶת־קׇרְבָּנ֑וֹ נַחְשׁ֥וֹן בֶּן־עַמִּינָדָ֖ב לְמַטֵּ֥ה יְהוּדָֽה׃
(11) Adonai said to Moses: Let them present their offerings for the dedication of the altar, one chieftain each day. (12) The one who presented his offering on the first day was Nahshon son of Amminadab of the tribe of Judah.
The dedication of the Mishkan begins with offerings from the leaders of each tribe, presented in a structured order over twelve days. Nachshon, from the tribe of Judah, is chosen to go first. Nachshon is known from earlier narratives (Exodus 14:22, Midrash) as the leader who bravely stepped into the Red Sea before it split, demonstrating initiative and faith. His placement at the head of this dedication reflects his leadership and willingness to act. Another notable aspect of this passage is that while all the other tribal chieftains had God’s name embedded in theirs (e.g., Elizur, Shelumiel, Zurishaddai), Nachshon’s name does not. This raises questions about the role of outward displays of piety versus internal devotion and action.
Some things to think about: