Parshat Naso: Surprising Insights You Probably Haven’t Heard

Parashat Naso is filled with fascinating details, hidden hints, and powerful lessons from the words of our sages. From the deeper meaning behind confession and restitution to the special role of the tribe of Levi and the blessings of Birkat Kohanim, these lesser known insights reveal beautiful layers within the Torah’s verses.

Why Confession Is Plural but Restitution Is Singular

“And they shall confess the sin they committed, and he shall make restitution for his guilt in full, adding a fifth to it, and give it to the one against whom he was guilty” (Numbers 5:7).

Why is “and they shall confess” written in the plural, while “and he shall make restitution” is written in the singular?

Because many people are willing to verbally admit their mistakes, but far fewer are willing to follow through and truly correct them in practice (“Wise Sayings,” cited in Otzar HaPelaot, p. 18).

Why Conflict Sometimes Develops in Marriage

“…or if a spirit of jealousy comes over him and he is jealous of his wife, though she has not become impure” (Numbers 5:14).

Why does conflict sometimes arise between a husband and wife?

Outside the home, people often honor a person more than his true level because they do not know him deeply. A wife, however, sees her husband as he truly is. She knows his strengths, but she also knows his shortcomings and does not exaggerate his honor. This gap can sometimes become a source of tension (Otzar HaYediot, vol. 2, p. 220, in the name of one of the early sages).

The Word “Amen” and Women’s Mitzvot

“And these bitter waters that cause the curse shall enter your body, causing the belly to swell and the thigh to collapse; and the woman shall say: Amen, amen” (Numbers 5:22).

Which positive time bound mitzvot that women are obligated in are hinted to in this verse?

Although women are generally exempt from positive time bound mitzvot, there are several important exceptions because women were also included in those miracles. These mitzvot are hinted at in the word “Amen”:

• Arba kosot on Passover
• Mikra Megillah on Purim
• Nerot Chanukah

This explanation is cited in the name of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef zt”l in the book Lachazot B’Noam Hashem (p. 65).

Who Else Receives the Blessing of Birkat Kohanim?

“Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying: Thus shall you bless the children of Israel; say to them” (Numbers 6:23).

Who besides the Jewish people is blessed through Birkat Kohanim?

Rabbeinu Bachya explains that the word “et” comes to include the ministering angels. They too receive blessing through Birkat Kohanim.

The sages also taught that the verses of Birkat Kohanim can be used as a segulah for healing burns. The Pele Yoetz writes that for any burn, one should immediately recite Birkat Kohanim three times with concentration, and that this remedy is “tried and tested.”

The Special Oxen Donated to the Mishkan

“And they brought their offering before Hashem: six covered wagons and twelve oxen, a wagon for every two leaders and an ox for each one; and they brought them before the Mishkan” (Numbers 7:3).

What was unique about the oxen donated by the tribal leaders?

Tosafot explains that the oxen donated to transport the Ark survived until the days of King Solomon, when they were later offered on the altar in the Beit HaMikdash (Zevachim 59b).

Some opinions even say that they still exist to this very day (Avoteinu, p. 377).

Why Were There Specifically Six Wagons?

Why did the leaders bring specifically six wagons?

According to Bamidbar Rabbah, the six wagons corresponded to six matriarchs:

• Sarah
• Rebecca
• Rachel
• Leah
• Bilhah
• Zilpah

The Midrash also explains that the “covered wagons” were beautifully decorated wagons (Sifrei Zuta 7).

Which Tribe Walked Barefoot in the Desert?

“But to the sons of Kehat he gave none, because the service of the holy things was upon them; they carried them on the shoulder” (Numbers 7:9).

Which tribe walked barefoot in the desert?

Bamidbar Rabbah teaches that all the tribes wore sandals in the desert except for the tribe of Levi, who walked barefoot because of the holiness of their service.

These insights are adapted from the book MeEver LaMefursam on Chumash Bamidbar, a collection of lesser known teachings from our sages on the weekly Torah portions and practical halachah.