Chag sameach and shabbat services

Cantor Ben Moshe’s Message

This week we begin the reading of Sefer B’midbar, the Book of Numbers. While the latter part of Sh’mot, Exodus, and most of Vayikra, Leviticus, were occupied with rules and regulations, the narrative of the journey of B’nai Yisrael now resumes. One of the characters we see in our narrative is Nahshon Ben Amminadav, the chief of the Tribe of Judah. We know that Nahshon is well-connected, as he is the brother-in-law of Aharon, the High Priest. But the Midrash gives us a more compelling reason for his position of leadership. According to legend, when Moshe raised his staff to part the Sea of Reeds, at first nothing happened. Then Nahshon entered the water and began walking. When the water reached his chin, then the Sea parted. Nahshon’s faith and determination were the catalysts for the parting of the Sea of Reeds. And this faith and determination made him the natural leader of the tribe that was at the head of the march from Sinai to the Promised Land. May Nahshon’s example inspire acts of faith and determination in our own lives. Shabbat Shalom v’Hag Shavu’ot Sameah, a Joyous Holiday of Shavu’ot