d’var torah
Acting in Our Higher Selves
BY RABBI VALERIE JOSEPH
A Parshat Beha’alotcha
lot happens in this week’s Parshat
Beha’alotcha. • G-d tells Moses to assign his brother
Aaron to “lift up” and light the
golden menorah;
• Th e Levites purify themselves as they
begin their service in the Tabernacle;
• Pesach Sheni, a second Passover, is
created for those who couldn’t par-
take in the fi rst Passover off ering;
• A cloud cover covers the Israelite
camp and lift s when they are to con-
tinue on their journey;
• Silver trumpets are made to call the
people to assembly;
• Th e Israelites complain about the
taste of manna and wish for meat;
prophets prophesize;
• Miriam and Aaron are stricken by
Tzaraat (skin disease) aft er Miriam
speaks lashon hara.

Th e last event — Miriam’s sudden
illness — brings forward a remarkable
response by Moses as he recites one of the
shortest prayers in the Torah:
“And Moshe cried unto the Lord, say-
ing, ‘Please God, heal her (Miriam), I
beseech you” (Numbers 12:13).

In “El Na Refah Na Lah,” we learn
greatness from this simple and humble
act by Moses. Just a few sentences ear-
lier his sister (and Aaron his brother)
had spoken against him; the siblings
accuse their brother of making a poor
choice in marriage. It was an act that
could have started a rebellion among
the grumbling masses and angered G-d
so much that he called a family meet-
ing and struck Miriam with Tzaraat as
punishment. Many of us would have reacted as G-d
did, with anger. But Moses, the self-eff ac-
ing leader, had forgiven Miriam already,
and his behavior provided enlightenment
and a model of behavior. Moses then
responds to G-d’s punishment with for-
giveness and prayer for her well-being,
her refuah shlemah (complete healing).

Perhaps he remembered with gratitude
that as a young girl:
• Miriam in her greatness saved his
infant life, an event that was instru-
mental in Moses growing up in the
home of Pharoah’s daughter and ini-
tiating the Exodus;
• Sparked the enthusiasm and appre-
ciation of the Israelites by leading the
dancing with timbrels aft er walking
through the Red Sea;
• Created the well that bears her name,
which provided fresh water in the
desert for the Israelites.

Th e custom of praying for the sick
comes from this parshah.

Among the many actions that we can
admire in Moses, one of the most signif-
icant — and one which we can emulate
to this day — is holding the sick in our
thoughts and prayers by reciting a mi
sheberach (prayer for healing).

“So Miriam was shut out of camp seven
days; and the people did not march on
until Miriam was readmitted” (Numbers
12:15). Equally important, for seven days
the Israelites stopped in their tracks.

Arguments, complaints and disagree-
ments were set aside. Th e delay must have
seemed interminable. Th e Israelites did
not journey on, despite their constant
impatience and complaints in other mat-
ters during 40 years in the desert.

In turn, Miriam was given veneration
due to her, and the community’s support-
ive willingness to stay brought honor in
the eyes of G-d not only to an ill sister but
also to her family member, Moses.

In reading the text, we see and under-
stand what the Torah considers most
important in life. When the commu-
nity — including Moses — cries out
for healing, the power of their love and
connection to each other comes to the
forefront. While it’s not possible to know
if prayer works or G-d exists, “Ninety per-
cent (range 84-90%) of medical schools
have courses or content on spirituality
and health (S&H)” (G. Lucchetti, 2012).

We know that Moses lived a long life
of 120 years, and Miriam lived a long life
also. Th ere may be many reasons for this,
but one common explanation is that their
lives were extended by virtue of humble-
ness in the face of interpersonal confl icts.

In the Talmud, there is a discussion on
why certain rabbis lived long lives.

“Rabbi Nehunya ben Hakana was
asked by his disciples: Why were you
blessed with longevity? He said to them:
‘In my days, I never attained veneration at
my fellow’s degradation. Nor did my fel-
low’s curse go up with me upon my bed.

And I was openhanded with my money’”
(Talmud Megillah 28).

Another sage, Rabbi Zeira, cites similar
virtues for growing quite old:
“Rabbi Zeira was asked by his disciples:
Why were you blessed with longevity?
He said to them, ‘In my days, I was never
angry inside my house. Nor did I ever
walk ahead of someone who was greater
than me.’”
Quite a few more rabbis cite that their
meriting a long life is not only due to
Torah study, but also being generous,
charitable, respectful, forgiving, not hold-
ing on to anger, and kind to others.

May we all be reminded of what is dear
to us and treasure those moments. JE
LEGAL DIRECTORIES
BUSINESS DIRECTORIES
Rabbi Valerie Joseph is a National
Association of Veterans Affairs
Chaplains and Neshama: Association
of Jewish Chaplains certifi ed retired
Veteran’s Hospital chaplain. Th e Board
of Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia is
proud to provide diverse perspectives
on Torah commentary for the Jewish
Exponent. Th e opinions expressed in
this column are the author’s own and
do not refl ect the
view of the Board
of Rabbis.

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