Torah Daily: Daily Doses of Divine Guidance on the Parsha

Unlocking the Mysteries of the Sixth Aliyah in Parshat Balosha: An In-Depth Review

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Welcome to today's podcast, where we dive into the sixth aliyah of Balosha, starting with chapter ten, verse 35. We begin with the peculiar placement of an upside-down, backward letter 'nun' in the text, signaling that these verses are out of their natural order.
Rashi explains that the term "the people" here refers to the wicked among them, specifically the mixed multitude who often stirred trouble during their desert wanderings. Originally, the plan was to reach Israel in three days, before the incident with the spies.
The mixed multitude developed a burning desire, leading everyone to complain, searching for reasons to challenge God. Despite the miraculous manna falling from the heavens, they were dissatisfied because while it could taste like anything, it didn't look like it.
On Shabbat, there was no manna, but we had double manna, known as Lechem Mishneh. This is why we set our Shabbat table with a cloth, reminiscent of the layer of dew beneath the manna.
There is a deeper interpretation suggesting they were also crying about unfulfilled desires for forbidden relationships. In Exodus, Moses was instructed to lead the people despite their potential hostility, exemplifying true, devoted leadership.
Elders were always present in the community, but the original elders acted disrespectfully at Mount Sinai. They weren't punished then to avoid mixing mourning with revelation. Now, God commands Moses to seek new elders from the Jewish officers who supervised slaves in Egypt, those who would bear the burdens of the people.
When God promised meat, Moses didn't envisage quails filling the desert. He wasn't punished for his private doubt, unlike the public incident with the rock.
To select 70 elders from twelve tribes, Moses took six from each tribe, totaling 72. Rashi offers two interpretations: either some felt unworthy and weren't chosen, or the selection process left two out.
This podcast was produced and sponsored by Daniel Aharonoff.