Parashat Naso - Fourth Aliyah

Numbers 5:11 to 6:27

1. The Sotah, a Heavenly Judgment

“Ish ish ki tisteh ishto uma’ala vo ma’al” (“Any man whose wife goes astray and breaks faith with him”, verse 12)

When a man suspects his wife of having secluded herself with another man, and it cannot be proven, the Torah commands him to bring her to the Kohen:

• The Kohen takes mayim kedoshim biḥli ḥeres (“holy water in an earthenware vessel”, verse 17), adds dust from the floor of the Mishkan (verse 17), and writes the shvuat ha’ala (“oath of curse”) in a scroll and erases it into the water (verse 23).

• The woman drinks the mei hamarim hame’ararim (“bitter cursing water”, verse 24).

• If she sinned, her body is harmed: “Vetzavta bitnah venafla yerecha” (“her belly shall swell and her thigh shall fall”, verse 27).

• If not, she goes out cleansed and merits to conceive: “Venikta venizr’a zara” (“she shall be cleansed and shall conceive seed”, verse 28).

The message is powerful. Nothing is hidden from the Shechina. Divine justice can act beyond the boundaries of human reason and human law.

2. The Nazir, Self-Sanctification

“Ish o isha ki yafli lindor neder nazir lehazir la’Adonai” (“A man or a woman who makes a special vow of a Nazir, to dedicate himself to the Lord”, Chapter 6, verse 2)

The Nazir chooses to withdraw from the material for a time, and dedicates himself to holiness. He must:

• Not drink wine or any of its products (verses 3-4).

• Not shave his hair (verse 5).

• Not become impure through a dead body, even for his closest relatives (verses 6-7).

If he becomes impure, “Vehayamim harishonim yiplu” (“the previous days are forfeited”, verse 12). He must restart the counting of his Nazir days.

At the end of the period, he brings sacrifices, shaves his hair, and drinks wine again (verses 13-20).

There are those who dedicate their whole lives to holiness. And there are those who choose a specific period in which to elevate themselves.

3. The Priestly Blessing, Three Gifts from Heaven

“Ko tevarchu et bnei Yisrael amor lahem” (“Thus shall you bless the children of Israel; say to them”, verse 23)

A divine blessing in three parts:

1. Abundance and protection: “Yevarechecha Adonai veyishmerecha” (“May the Lord bless you and guard you”, verse 24)

2. Light and grace: “Ya’er Adonai panav elecha viḥuneka” (“May the Lord shine His face upon you and be gracious to you”, verse 25)

3. Inner peace: “Yisa Adonai panav elecha veyasem lecha shalom” (“May the Lord lift His face toward you and grant you peace”, verse 26)

The Kohanim are messengers of God, but the blessing flows directly from Him: “Va’ani avarchem” (“And I will bless them”, verse 27).

What Is the Message?

• The Sotah reminds us that modesty and trust are foundations of a healthy bond.

• The Nazir teaches the power of choice and of self-elevation.

• The Blessing reminds us that all the good comes from above, but passes through a human heart.

The three sections together paint the same picture from three angles: God is present in the bond between a person and their spouse, in the personal choice of the individual, and in the blessing descending upon the entire people.

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