Beha’alotcha 5782

The third reading from the book of Numbers and the thirty-sixth reading from the Torah is called Beha'alotcha, a word that literally means "When you ascend." It comes from the first verse of the portion, which could literally be translated as "When you ascend the lamps" (Numbers 8:2), a reference to the fact that the priest had to step up to clean and light the lamps of the menorah. This portion is jam-packed, telling the story of the consecration of the Levites, the first Passover in the wilderness, the silver trumpets, the cloud of glory, the departure from Sinai, the grumbling in the wilderness, the first Sanhedrin and the punishment of Miriam. Portion Outline TORAH Numbers 8:1 | The Seven Lamps Numbers 8:5 | Consecration and Service of the Levites Numbers 9:1 | The Passover at Sinai Numbers 9:15 | The Cloud and the Fire Numbers 10:1 | The Silver Trumpets Numbers 10:11 | Departure from Sinai Numbers 11:1 | Complaining in the Desert Numbers 11:16 | The Seventy Elders Numbers 11:31 | The Quails Numbers 12:1 | Aaron and Miriam Jealous of Moses PROPHETS Zec 2:6 Interlude: | An Appeal to the Exiles Zec 3:1 Fourth Vision: | Joshua and Satan Zec 4:1 Fifth Vision: | The Lampstand and Olive Trees