This Shabbat, our Torah selection is Parashat Naso, which may be found in the Etz Hayim Humash on page 791. Naso has the distinction of being the longest single Torah reading of the yearly cycle.

The Torah selection continues the theme of the duties of the Levitical families. The family of Gershon has the responsibility of transporting the hangings and coverings of the Tabernacle. The branch of Merari is appointed to transport the solid parts of the fabric of the Tabernacle and its court. The census of the Levitical families of Kehat, Gershon, and Merari is shared.

Numbers chapter five instructs that individuals in a state of ritual impurity must be removed from the Israelite camp. The Torah then provides the means of restitution for misappropriation of sacred property, me'ila.

Parashat Naso presents the case of the sotah, the woman accused of adultery by her husband. The sotah has fascinated Jewish commentators throughout the ages. The woman accused of adultery is subject to a trial by ordeal. The kohen administers the mei hamerarim, the "waters of bitterness", to determine the guilt or innocence of the accused woman. If the woman has a strong physiological reaction to imbibing the "water of bitterness", she is presumed guilty. If she has no reaction to the potion, then she is assumed innocent. A contemporary novel is based upon the theme of the sotah.

Numbers chapter six presents the law of the nazir. The nazir assumes a vow of denial. He or she promises to abstain from any alcoholic beverage, from cutting of the hair, or from contact with the deceased. This abstinence is felt to consecrate the nazir to G-d. The nazir brought several varieties of offerings upon the completion of his or her period of consecrated service. Our sages expressed ambivalence about a vow of denial of the pleasures of life. They explained that the sin offering of the nazir derived from the "sin" of a life of denial. The most famous personalities associated with the vow of the nazir are Samson and Samuel. There is no sexual asceticism associated with the vow. The institution of the nazir came to an end in the Biblical period.

Parashat Naso is the sources of the Priestly Benediction. The Priestly Benediction is the oldest text of Biblical literature that has been authenticated through archeology. The recitation of the Priestly Benediction survives through the ritual know as "duchenin" in the Orthodox synagogue. The kohanim drape the tallit over their head as they proceed barefoot into the congregation. The Levites have assisted in the ritual washing of the kohanim prior to their entrance into the congregation. The congregants are not to gaze upon the kohanim as they bless the congregation. The kohanim separate their fingers in V-formation under the lifted tallit. This V-formation inspired Leonard Nemoy in the television series Star Trek. The Priestly Benediction is a favorite blessing of Protestant clergy. This usage of the Priestly Benediction was absorbed into the modern movements of contemporary Judaism. Our sages interpreted the first b'racha to refer to material prosperity. The second b'racha is a blessing of spiritual insight. The third b'racha offers the blessing of shalom. Both the Biblical and rabbinic concept of shalom imply a sense of inner well being, a feeling of self-acceptance and serenity.

Numbers chapter seven presents the gift offering of the twelve princes of the tribes. Each prince offered the identical gift to teach the equality of the tribes before G-d. The sum total of the gifts of the tribes concludes the Torah selection of Naso
.