June 14, 2025 ·
A PEEK AT THE PARSHA
Parshat Beha’alotcha starts with Hashem telling Aharon how to light the Menorah in the Mishkan. Next, Hashem explains how to prepare the Levi’im for their special jobs in the Mishkan. They help the Kohanim. They begin their service at age 25 and finish at age 50.
Then, Bnei Yisrael are told to bring the Korban Pesach in the desert. Some men who were tamei (impure) couldn’t bring it and felt sad. Hashem gave a second chance called Pesach Sheini one month later. Hashem led Bnei Yisrael in the desert with a cloud by day and a fire by night. When the cloud lifted, they traveled. When it stayed, they camped.
ONE BIG IDEA
Hashem tells Aharon how to light the Menorah in the Mishkan. The Torah uses a special word: “Beha’alotcha” — “when you raise up” the lights. Rashi explains that Aharon had to keep the flame close to the wick until the flame went up by itself. The Rabbis teach us that this is not only about lighting candles it’s also about how we treat people. Just like Aharon helped the flame grow strong enough to rise on its own, we should help other people grow until they can shine on their own too.
Later, the people began to complain. First, they complained about the journey. Then they complained about the manna, the special food from Heaven. They said they missedthe meat, fish, cucumbers, and melons fromEgypt.They weren’tthankfulfor the miracle of the manna.
Moshe told Hashem he couldn’t carry the burden of the people alone. So Hashem told Moshe to choose 70 elders to help him lead. Then, Hashem sent a strong wind that brought a huge number of quail (birds) into the camp so the people could eat meat. But they were greedy and took too much. While they were still chewing, a plague came and many died.
At the end of the parsha, Miriam and Aharon spoke badly about Moshe and his wife. Hashem told them that Moshe is not like other prophets Moshe speaks to Hashem “face to face,” clearly and directly. No one else has such a close relationship with Hashem. Hashem said Moshe was the most humble person on earth. That means Moshe never showed off or acted like he was better than others, even though he was the greatest leader.
Because Miriam spoke lashon hara (bad speech), she got Tzara’at (a skin disease) and had to stay outside the camp for seven days. The whole nation waited for her until she was healed.
Candle-lighting: 8:10pm
Havdalah: 9:13pm
allah: 5:25pm
PARSHA STATS DID YOU KNOW…?
Mitzvot…………………………..5 (3 Do’s, 2 Don’ts)
Lines in the Torah ..............240 (10th most)
Pesukim .............................136 (11th most)
Words ................................1840 (12th most)
Letters................................7055 (12th most)
Year(s)................................2449
(Source: OU Torah Tidbits)
On June 14th, 1777, the Stars and Stripes flag was adopted as the official American flag. The Israeli flag was adopted by Israel as its flag on October 28th, 1948. Did you know that the Israeli flag is based on a flag created in Boston in 1891? It was called the Flag of Judah, and the word “Maccabee” was written in the middle of the Star of David The next year, it was waved at a parade but the “Maccabee” was replaced by “Zion.” It was flown at the World’s Fair in St. Louis in 1904 without the word “Zion.”
CHECKLIST
To be filled out after shabbat and brought in Monday.
Called someone to wish them a “Shabbat Shalom”
Went to shul
Participated in Hadlakat Nerot/Kiddush/ Hamotzi/Birkat Hamazon
Sang zemirot/songs
Wore Shabbat clothing
Helped prepare our home for Shabbat
Full Name: ______________________________
Class: __________________________________
Parent Signature: _________________________
QUESTIONS
1. Did Aharon’s candle ever touch the wick of the Menorah? Why is the answer important?
2. Where did the design for the Israeli flag come from?
3. What was the retirement age for Levi’im?
4. What is the Hebrew date of Pesach Sheini (it’s not written in Shabbazine).
5. Thought question: If Miriam was so holy, how could she speak lashon hara about Moshe?