Triennial Cycle III: Numbers 10:35-12:16
Humash Etz Hayim, page 826
Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14-4:7, page 837
- (10:35-36) The two sayings called out by Moses when the Ark traveled.
- (11:1-15) Two incidents of complaint, the first at Taberah, the second about the monotony of the mannah.
- (11:16-35) The elders are given a share of God’s spirit so they can help Moses lead. God sends quail for meat, but then strikes the people with a plague out of disgust with their whining.
- (12:1-16) Aaron and Miriam are rebuked for speaking against Moses, and Moses’ unique leadership is reaffirmed.
“Would That Everyone Were a Prophet”
As Moses struggles to deal with yet another bout of cranky complaints by the Israelites, God encourages him to appoint new leaders to help him, and bestows upon these elders a temporary gift of prophecy. When Joshua complains to Moses about these ad hoc oracles, Moses replies: “Are you so zealous to protect me? I wish all of ADONAI’s people were prophets! I wish ADONAI would put his Spirit on all of them!” In this parsha, we see a new side of Moses’ reputation for humility, and understand how each of us, receptive to God’s teachings, can become a leader working for the well-being of others.