Parashat: Nasso

Parashat: Nasso
Torah Reading: Numbers 4:21–7:89

“May God look kindly upon you and treat you graciously.”

— Numbers 6:25

Parashat Nasso is the longest Torah portion that we have — one in which there is a lot of reiteration, which can seem repetitive and redundant (wink!) — especially when you’ve managed to read about someone else’s giving and getting of presents. However, if you were raised in the era of sending handwritten thank you notes, then you understand the importance of recording (and thereby hopefully recalling) the gifts that were given — and to be grateful for the blessings you’ve received.

For me, I was teased by my family for writing “thank you novels” — individualized cards that not only thanked the person for the present, but also touched on my relationship with the gift-givers — the piece that was equally as important to me as whatever item I had received. I’d fill up the cards quickly with a paragraph or two and then move on to the next — reliving the joy of receiving a present, and hopeful that the card would be meaningful to its recipient.

Our priestly blessing, shared after our gifts are given, are a good reminder that good manners and gratitude are built into our oldest religious rituals. Now, as a rabbi, I am often gifted the opportunity to share this second line regularly with our b’nai mitzvah and confirmation students — and I always think about how I want to translate it in the moment (the above translation is one of my favorites for now!). And, while usually spoken loudly so that the entire congregation can hear, each time I deliver the line (and it’s translation), my prayer for our people is that they too are able to face and see God and walk towards their futures with grace and with gratitude.

— Rabbi Amanda K. Weiss