Naso and Behaalosecha
In Parshas Naso the passuk states, “ויקריבו נשיאי ישראל… הם נשיאי המטות, and the Nesi’im brought… they are the Nesi’im of the matos.” What does “Nesi’im of the matos” mean, and what is its significance? Rashi writes these Nesi’im were shotrim, officers, over Bnei Yisrael in Mitzrayim to ensure they would build the number of bricks that the Mitzri oppressors commanded. The Bnei Yisrael would prepare the bricks and sometimes not be able to fulfill the complete amount. The bricks would be brought to the oppressors who would check whether they fulfilled the orders. When they saw that Yisrael did not complete the allotted amount because the officers did not push them, the oppressors lashed the Yisraelim officers, who then took the blame and guilt in place of Yisrael. The officers cared about their friends and had pity on them, so they did not press them to do more. The Sifsei Chachamim explains that the Nesi’im of the matos means the Nesi’im of the staffs, with which they were hit and received lashes. This title hinted to the exceptional mercy that these officers had for the Bnei Yisrael.
The pessukim relate that the Nesi’im brought six wagons and twelve oxen for the Levi’im to use to transport the planks and other heavy parts of the Mishkan. HaRav Lazer Ginsberg pointed out that these are the same Nesi’im-officers who felt the pain of others and cared about them. Here too, they thought about the difficulty for the Levi’im to have to carry the heavy parts of the Mishkan. They came up with an idea of how to help them alleviate the weight, by providing wagons to carry the heavy load, and oxen to pull the wagons.
In Parshas Behaalosecha Hashems tells Moshe to gather 70 men from the elders of Yisrael, “אשר ידעת כי הם זקני העם ושטריו, that you know about them that they are the elders of the nation and its officers.” Rashi writes: you recognize that they were the same people who were appointed over Bnei Yisrael as officers in Mitzrayim while the people were forced to do back-breaking labor. These elders had pity on Yisrael and were smitten instead of them which was a significant act of kindness. Hashem said that because of their kindness and mercy they will be appointed with greatness since they felt pain for the peoples’ distress. Just as they lowered themselves to feel the pain of Bnei Yisrael, so they will be raised above with greatness. They merited to be the Sanhedrin and to receive the spirit of prophecy upon them.
May Hashem help us care about and help others and be zoche to greatness!
