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A man or woman who shall dissociate himself by taking a Nazarite vow of abstinence for the sake of Hashem. (6:2)

The translation of yafli, “shall dissociate,” follows Rashi, who views the Nazir as someone  who breaks  with  society’s  norms,  seeking  to  separate  himself from the temptations of his environment. It is a noble position to take, one to which not all of us can aspire. Ibn Ezra takes it a step further. He defines yafli as “wonderment.” The nazir is doing something astonishing. It is truly out of the ordinary to undertake a vow that will sever oneself from the taavos, physical desires, which others find so “life-sustaining.” Ibn Ezra is teaching us a powerful lesson: To overcome one’s habits;…

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Everyone who comes to perform service (the work) of a service and the work of carrying (lit. burden) in the Ohel Moed. (4:47)

The Talmud Arachin 11a seeks a Scriptural source for the obligation to have song in the Bais HaMikdash. Ten sources are cited and one of them is from the above pasuk: La’avod avodas avodah, “To perform the service of a service.” Chazal ask and others respond, “Which service requires another service? We must say that this refers to song.” An earlier source quoted by the Talmud employs the pasuk in Devarim 28:47 to provide the reason for the various calamities visited on the Jewish People: Tachas asher lo avadita es Hashem Elokecha b’simchah u’betuv leivav, “Because you did not serve Hashem, your…

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Take a census (lit. raise the heads) of the sons of Gershon, them as well (after counting Kehas). (4:22)

Shlomo Ha’melech writes, Yekarah hee mi’peninim v’chol chafa’tzecha lo yishvu bah, “It (the Torah)  is dearer (more  precious)  than  pearls,  and  all your  desires cannot compare to it” (Mishlei 3:15). Following the census of the Jewish People, Hashem asked Moshe Rabbeinu to count Shevet Levi separately. Their count was carried out according to their sequence at birth: Gershon, Kehas, Merari. However, after their tasks within the Bais HaMikdash were designated, the sequence changed – Kehas, as the bearer of the Aron Kodesh, preceded Gershon, who carried the Curtains. The Midrash establishes the order of the counting of the Leviim according to…

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