Torah Commentary Archives
Naso (Take)
Numbers 4:21-7:89
Judges 13:2-25
John 7:53-8:11
Acts 21:17-32
He Will Kneel Before
This Torah portion continues the theme of “Nasa,” or the lifting up of the head of one who was once in slavery. It further reveals that the lifting up of the head is not only to see a destiny, but to realize that you have a responsibility to help others in reaching theirs. When we are all working within this concept it is called community, or in this case, a nation called Israel.
Located in the center of this Torah portion are the words of what is termed the Aaronic Blessing. The stated purpose in 6:27 of these words is to place His name upon His people. Question before we go on: will He only place His name on those who have lifted their heads, looked to their destiny and begun to walk in community? The answer is one for you to consider.
So what are these words of blessing all about? My personal understanding has grown much over the years. It began with the placing of this blessing within a small booklet of a sample New Moon service. (Working on an update to this soon.) A friend of mine was helping with this booklet and inserted a translation of the Aaronic Blessing by Jeff Benner of http://ancient-hebrew.org/.
Here is the translation:
“He who exists will kneel before you presenting gifts and will guard you with a hedge of protection; He who exists will illuminate the wholeness of his being toward you bringing order and he will beautify you; He who exists will lift up his wholeness of being and look upon you and he will set in place all you need to be whole and complete.” Num 6:24-26
I remember the first time I read this translation. “He who exists will kneel before you.” I had a tough time with those words, until I thought of how I also would give gifts to my then small son. I would kneel to his level. Our Father does the same with us. Ponder that one for a bit.
The words of this blessing went to a new level not too long ago. I was considering the meaning of the word “barak,” which is translated as “bless”. Its literal meaning is to kneel before. As I was pondering this word a picture came to my mind. It is an experience I have told on few occasions, but never written about.
It happened on my first trip to Israel. At the end of the short tour, part of our group went to a Messianic congregation in Jerusalem. In a crazy turn of events for me, I was asked to speak. I looked out at the people and my heart melted. I wanted to do something to show someone my appreciation for my experience in Israel. Father's timing was about to be played out in a way I could never have orchestrated on my own. I said to the congregation that if I had water I would wash the feet of the leaders. Looking back, it was not about the leaders, but about all I had come in contact with during my tour. I continued speaking about something and then I saw the front door of the building open. There was a lady with a basin of water, soap and a towel. She walked up right in front of me and said, “Were you serious?” What was I to do? One by one that night I “barak,” knelt before the leaders and washed their feet. Words can not express what happened in me that night or what life has been since.
Consider now the words of Gen 12:3, “I will barak, (kneel before) those who barak, (kneel before) you.”
The most humbling experiences I have ever had in my life is not kneeling before someone and washing their feet, but when someone has knelt before me and washed mine. It is an experience you never forget because it goes deep inside you to a place most are afraid to allow themselves to go. (More on that another time)
Now back to Gen 12. Could we translate these words, “I will wash the feet of those who wash your feet and the feet of your descendants.?” I will leave that for you to decide.
Now back to the first words of the Aaronic Blessing and the picture we have now painted. “He who exists will kneel before you, present gifts and wash your feet while guarding you with a hedge of protection.”
You think I am pushing the translation on this one? Read John 13:4-5. The One who exists knelt before men and washed their feet. He presented them the gift of redemption and would embrace and guard them with nailed, pierced hands.
When washing someones feet, it is always appropriate to look into their eyes and ask permission. In a spiritual sense, I believe it is His desire to kneel before many of you on this Shabbat, to wash your feet, to give personal gifts unto you, and to embrace you. Question is, when He looks in your eyes and asks permission, will you give it?