The name of this week’s parsha, Behalotecha, translates to “when you raise”, in reference to the lamps of the menorah in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) that Aaron is commanded to raise. God instructs Moses on the procedures for Israel’s journeys and encampments in the desert, and they journey from Mount Sinai where they camped for nearly a year, to receive the Torah. The Israelites become displeased with their manna (bread from heaven), and demand Moses supply them with meat. To me, it seems incredulous that after camping at Sinai for that long while preparing to receive the Torah, and after everything they witnessed coming out of Egypt, they would complain about something as basic as their sustenance which was literally supplied from the sky!
At one point in this parsha, Miriam speaks negatively about Moses and is punished with the skin disease of tzaraat (leprosy). Thanks to Moses’ prayers she was cured, but still needed to remain isolated outside the camp for seven days. Aaron had listened to her negative speech without objecting and so too was punished, but not as severely. Again, the subject of negative talk is raised and is physically reproached with a visible and embarrassing skin disease. Have the Israelites learned anything from this?
Unfortunately, the spies who were sent to Israel soon afterwards did not learn a lesson, and they too spoke negatively, this time about the land of Israel. The result was the Israelites of that generation didn’t merit entry into the land of Israel and died in the desert. I don’t understand how the spies could have negative things to say about the Promised Land after having been in the desert for so long.
This recurring theme of consequences for negative talk is pretty obvious. Known as lashon hara (bad speech), it’s a sin that’s caused many tragedies for the Jewish people, and indeed the world, since the beginning of human social interaction. The modern version of lashon hara can take many forms in today’s world, whether on social media or gossip that’s spread amongst social groups. The rampant antisemitism we’ve seen spreading openly and unrebuked in the last 8 months is an especially vile form of lashon hara, which has very real and dangerous ramifications. We’ve been witnessing the violence, hatred, the libels and their ensuing isolation and asking ourselves how this is possibly happening again.
Other than our Jewish communities lamenting about this modern lashon hara amongst ourselves, are any of us really doing anything about it? The fight to stop the spread of these lies that so negatively impact our communities and threaten Israel’s very existence today requires courage. We’ve been so fortunate to find ourselves in the Promised Land for the past 76 years, but are we taking it all for granted again and risking it all?
I would argue the answer to what we’ve been witnessing these past months is obvious, but certainly not easy. We need to “raise” ourselves, metaphorically, just as the lamps were raised to light up the Mishkan. More literally, as part of the OVS Jewish community living in the diaspora in 2024, we need to decide what’s really important to us and act on it. How are we “lighting up” our homes? Is it by continuing to instill Jewish values in our children and leading by example? Is ensuring the next generation knows their heritage, is familiar with their unique culture, can read Hebrew prayers and speak the mother tongue that was miraculously resurrected in the late 19th century important to us? Are we making every effort to support Israel in this long and necessary war against evil, not just monetarily, but perhaps more importantly, with our words and actions? Are we standing up for what’s right, not only amongst our communities but so the entire world can see we’re not deterred by current events? Will we continue to “light up” our community by showing up for one another, whether at services to make a minyan or at family programs to ensure our children know who they are in a world where it’s much easier to assimilate and keep quiet? We need to ensure this generation doesn’t die in the figurative desert.
I’m certain the answer to all the lashon hara and negativity we’ve seen is to truly practice what’s important to us in theory. I’m excited and hopeful to see you and your families at OVS “Behalotecha” the community.
