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Now the man Moshe was exceedingly humble. (12:3)

Humility is built upon a person’s assessment of himself. It has nothing to do with his being able to speak up or take a stand on behalf of what is right. A humble person is well aware of his personal ability and successes in life. He just feels that he could have done so much more. As far as his ability is concerned, he considers himself lacking in achievement. With his G-d-given talents, he should have been that much greater. As a result of this self-assessment, one carries himself in a manner incongruous with that of a person who is…

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“But now, our life is parched, there is nothing; we have nothing to anticipate but the Manna. Now the Manna was like a coriander seed and its color was like the color of b’dolach.” (11:6,7)

Rashi explains that the individuals who complained, “We have nothing to anticipate but the Manna,” were countered by Hashem, Who said, “The Manna was like a coriander seed with a color similar to crystal.” As the commentators explain, it had the taste of dough saturated with oil. Rashi understands that Hashem was alluding to the world, “Look at what My children are complaining about! They say the Manna is nothing worth waiting for, and I show you that it is indeed quite special.” This does not mean that the Jewish People were full of complaints. It is possible that they…

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And when the Ark would journey. (10:35)

Va’yehi bin’soa haAron, “And when the Ark would journey,” are the first three words of the shortest sefer in the Torah. In the Talmud Shabbos 115b, Chazal teach, Hashem placed markings (inverted nuns) immediately preceding and following this section (of only two verses) to enclose it and separate it from the rest of the Torah. This was done to teach that this is not its proper place. (These pesukim belong earlier in Perek 2 of Sefer Bamidbar where the Torah describes how each tribe camped under its banner.) Rabbi (Yehudah HaNasi) says, “It is not for this reason that the…

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But a man who is pure and was not on the road and had refrained from making the Pesach-offering, that soul shall be cut off from its people. (9:13)

On the one hand, we find that, throughout most of the Torah, we have confidence in people making the right choices. Man is trusted and allowed to make his own choice between right and wrong, good and evil. Despite the obstacles and numerous pitfalls, man is allowed the option to navigate the murky waters of life on his own – without that Divine “nudge.” On the other hand, in certain instances the Torah is quite up front in directing the person in no uncertain terms, concerning the way it expects him to act. There is no room for error –…

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“When you kindle the lamps, toward the face of the Menorah shall the seven lamps cast light.” (8:2)

Rashi explains that the three wicks on the right and the three wicks on the left were all directed towards the Menorah’s central stem, thereby concentrating the light toward the center. Since its light was focused, rather than spread out, the Menorah symbolized the idea that Hashem does not need its light. As the Source of all light, Hashem does not need the Menorah to illuminate the Sanctuary. The Shem MiShmuel quotes his father, the Avnei Nezer, to explain the need for seven lights, all focused on the center. The Yalkut Shimoni makes a fascinating statement concerning the Menorah: “Why…

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