Numbers

In the last "Note" on Numbers 14:8-25, we learned the punishment for the unbelief of the Jewish Israelites who were lead astray by the negative reports of the 10 leaders who went to spy out the promised land.

Here, we learn about the dangers of spurning Hashem:

Because the leaders had lead the people into believing that the promised land was not able to be conquered and because the people also said it would be better to go back to Egypt and die because their children would be captured and devoured by the enemy in the promised land, Hashem decrees that He would give the people their wishes (Numbers 14:20-23; Numbers 14:26-35):

1. Since they thought the land could not be conquered, they would not see the promised land nor enter it.

2. Since they wanted to die rather than conquer the land promised to them, Hashem said those who were 20 years and older when leaving Egypt would die in the wilderness and not enter the promised land.

3. Only the children that they said the enemy would devour would live and enter the promised land.

After giving this Judgement, Hashem makes clear that this punishment will come to the Jewish Israelite population. They did sin, and so punishment was required. Yet, we see that Hashem will forgive their sins and allow even those who would not see the promise land to live out their natural lives. It is as if Hashem had added mercy on the people because, though their hearts went astray, they went astray on accord of the faithless leaders whom they followed.

In contrast, to the faithless leaders, Hashem decrees that they will die instantly of a plague. (Numbers 14:37). Like the plagues sent by Hashem upon Pharaoh, Hashem had condemned His own Jewish leaders to the same fate of death by plague.

This judgment shows us just how seriously Hashem takes harm done to His Jewish people. For, it was the negative reports of the leaders that led the people astray, which harmed their spirit, mind, and soul. It also led to the harm of their bodies: death would come, even if after 40 years.

This brings to light the passage in Zechariah 2:12, where Hashem declares:

The leaders, in this case, just happened to be of the Nation of Israel. Hashem shows no partiality in judgement.

The leaders hurt His people, and therefore, they hurt Hashem Himself.

So, the decree of death by plague like Pharaoh came. This means the sins of the leaders were not forgiven. They were "cut off" immediately from the land of the living and from Israel as a whole.

However, we see a very important truth unfold here. We learn that Hashem will not condemn everyone to suffer the same fate as the wicked leaders. Indeed, the fact that the people would be allowed to live out their natural life tells us that indeed Hashem had forgiven their sins, even if their punishment would not be remitted.

• An aside: Accountability is perhaps one of my most favorite things about being a Jew. We need not hide when we mess up. We confess it. Own it. Repent of it. And accept our punishment with the backbone, which Hashem has instilled in us. No, punishment is never pleasant, but (if we allow it) punishment will correct us unto a more righteous way of living and bring us closer to the likeness of Hashem.

Those who will not accept their punishment and take accountability of their own actions often face the doom of death, as we see come to fruition in our Torah portion today.

In Numbers 14:40-44, we read that some of the Israelites, after learning that they would not enter the promised land because of their sin, tried to go up to the hill country and enter the promised land. They did not want to accept their punishment. They did not want to take accountability. Instead, they wanted to spurn Hashem further.

Moshe warned the people not to go, for Hashem would not be with them. Further Moshe warned that indeed, what they said was going to happen would happen: the giants would kill them. The people did not heed Moshe's warning and defiantly went anyway. In the end, the giants and the Canaanites

Buttressed against the punishment for unforgivable sin is the command for animal sacrifices and the steps and processes for each.

These sacrifices, as was told to Moshe, should be performed

These animal sacrifices offer atonement for the sins of us Jewish Israelites, so may the temple be rebuilt speedily in our days!

When we look at Numbers 5:1-7, we read about the burnt offerings that are presented to Hashem,

These burnt offerings are to consist of:

1. A measure of choice flour with

2. A measure of oil mixed in.

3. A measure of wine as a libation for each animal offered.
   

The measurements of the flour, oil, and wine changes depending on the type of animal that we (will again) bring.

The first animal offering discussed in Numbers 5:1-7 is a sheep.

According to Leviticus, the sheep burnt offering is to be a male, offered with unleavened bread and wine. This offering hearkens to the Passover offering, yet the Passover is only consumed by fire if all of the offering is not consumed by morning. This male sheep (or goat) offering is also offered doubly on Shabbat.

When we consider that the Jewish Israelites are the first-fruit of Hashem's harvest (Jeremiah 2:3), we can understand that the flour is the "ram in the bush" that is consumed in our place. The oil concentrates or anoints the flour, and the wine is poured out on top, in place of Hashem's wrath upon us (eg: Isaiah 51:22).

Relevance to Today:

Hashem always provides a "ram in the bush" for His Jewish Israelite people. Like the ram sent to be offered in the place of Isaac in Genesis 22, Hashem repeatedly sends a stand-in so as to not have to harm us, His beloved Jewish people. When we take Zechariah 2:12 to heart, we can understand that Hashem relents in pouring out His wrath on us, His people, because when we suffer, He too suffers!

Throughout biblical History, Hashem has provided the following "rams in the bush":

1. In Egypt: (though Egypt had nothing to do with sins of the Jewish people, Hashem still offered the rams in the bush in order to bring us out and show His power) the firstborn of the Egyptians; the Passover lamb.

2. The Babylonian Captivity: offered up the land (Zion) and His own dwelling place (the first temple).

3. The Persian Captivity: offered up the lands in the Northern Kingdom.

4. Animal Sacrifices: offered up in accordance with the "cutting covenant" in Genesis 15. Only if we do not keep our part of the covenant (the Torah's mitzvot) will we "become like the animals," as we see in the case of the unforgivable sins discussed in our Torah Portion today.

5. Grain offerings: as a stand-in for us, the Jewish people, who are the first-fruits of Hashem's harvest (Jeremiah 2:3).

Without the Temple standing and the animal sacrifice system in place, we can look at the current attacks on the land of Israel as a "ram in the bush." When we look at the destruction that is being caused, we must also consider the (relatively) few deaths! Baruch Hashem! This proves that in the current moment, the land is being offered again as our "ram in the bush," while He is letting us Jewish people live.

The fact that the land is being offered as a "ram in the bush" should, however, raise an alarm, if you will, about the fact that perhaps there is sin that Hashem is rooting out and bring judgment against. (This could be sin of both Jews and non-Jews alike in the land). This concept of punishment on the land for the sins of people should not be a foreign concept to us Jews. Nor should it come as a surprise, since such judgement is foretold in all of the major and minor prophets.

Instead of dismissing the warnings, and going our own way, like the unfaithful Jews we learn about in our Torah portion today, we should all deeply consider our ways in comparison to Hashem's Torah, especially as it is written in the first 5 books of the Hebrew scriptures. If there is known sins in your life, perform teshuvah, bring the offering of a sacrifice with your lips (RE: Hosea 14) and Hashem will grant forgiveness.

Do not harden your heart to the punishments. Accept them. Take accountability.

Too, consider that fact that you may not be suffering punishment nor judgement, but rather that you may be going through a testing of faith and refinement. For, perhaps we are in the times prophesied by Daniel, where you may be righteous and still fall into trials so that you will be refined and purified for the day when Hashem will return. As we learn in Daniel 11:35,

In closing, only Hashem knows what is next in the scheme of global events. But, as Jewish people, it is our duty to shine light, love, and righteousness into whatever darkness we are facing. May we not go the way of the rebels, and instead keep our eyes fixed straight ahead on Hashem and His Troah. He will be the light that will guide our path to eternal peace.

Am Yisrael Chai!

Kimberly Davis