Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this aliyah, we see the aftermath of the terrible rebellion of Korach and his followers. To put an end to the complaints of the Bnei Yisrael once and for all, Hashem commands Moshe Rabbeinu to place the staff of Aharon HaKohen in front of the Aron HaKodesh as a lasting sign. The Bnei Yisrael express their deep fear of death when approaching the Mishkan, prompting Hashem to speak directly to Aharon about the heavy responsibility placed upon the Kohanim and Levi'im.

Hashem outlines the sacred duty of guarding the Mishkan to prevent any unauthorized person from encroaching upon the holy vessels. Along with this great responsibility, Hashem presents the Kohanim with their special gifts, the Matnos Kehunah, which are given to them as an everlasting covenant of salt. These gifts sustain the Kohanim, who are not given a physical portion in the land of Eretz Yisrael, as Hashem Himself is their portion.

All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.

פָּסוּק א

Pasuk 1

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidיְהוָהHashemאֶלtoמֹשֶׁהMosheהָשֵׁבreturnאֶת—מַטֵּהthe staff ofאַהֲרֹןAharonלִפְנֵיbeforeהָעֵדוּתthe Testimonyלְמִשְׁמֶרֶתfor a safekeepingלְאוֹתfor a signלִבְנֵיfor children ofמֶרִיrebellionוּתְכַלand you shall endתְּלוּנֹּתָםtheir complaintsמֵעָלַיfrom upon Meוְלֹאand notיָמֻתוּ׃they shall die

רַשִׁ״י

למשמרתto be keptלאות.as a signלְזִכָּרוֹןas a reminderשֶׁבָּחַרְתִּיthat I choseבְּאַהֲרֹןAharonלְכֹהֵןfor a Kohenוְלֹאand notיִלּוֹנוּwill they murmurעוֹדanymoreעַלagainstהַכְּהֻנָּה:the priesthood

רַשִׁ״י

ותכלand you shall endתלונתם.their murmuringכְּמוֹis likeוּתְכַלֶּהand you shall endתְּלֻנּוֹתָם;their murmuringלָשׁוֹןa formזֶהthisשֵׁםnoun ofמִפְעָלactionיָחִידsingularלְשׁוֹןgender ofנְקֵבָה,feminineכְּמוֹlikeתְלֻנָּתָם,their murmuringמרמור"ישmurmuresבלעז;in foreign tongueוְיֵשׁand there isחִלּוּקa differenceבֵּיןbetweenתְּלֻנּוֹתָםtheir murmuringלִתְלֻנָּתָם,to their murmuringתְּלֻנָּתָםtheir murmuringתְּלֻנָּהmurmuringאַחַת,oneתְּלֻנּוֹתָםtheir murmuringשֵׁםnoun ofדָּבָרa conceptבִּלְשׁוֹןin language ofיָחִידsingularוַאֲפִלּוּand even ifהֵםthey areתְּלֻנּוֹתmurmuringsהַרְבֵּה:many

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

וַיַּעַשׂAnd didמֹשֶׁהMosheכַּאֲשֶׁרasצִוָּהcommandedיְהוָהHashemאֹתוֹhimכֵּןsoעָשָׂה׃he did

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

וַיֹּאמְרוּAnd they saidבְּנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelאֶלtoמֹשֶׁהMosheלֵאמֹרsayingהֵןBeholdגָּוַעְנוּwe perishאָבַדְנוּwe are lostכֻּלָּנוּall of usאָבָדְנוּ׃are lost

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

כֹּלEveryoneהַקָּרֵבwho approachesהַקָּרֵבwho approachesאֶלtoמִשְׁכַּןthe Tabernacle ofיְהוָהHashemיָמוּתshall dieהַאִםare weתַּמְנוּfinishedלִגְוֺעַ׃to perish

רַשִׁ״י

כלWhosoeverהקרבapproachethהקרבapproachethוגו'.etc.אֵיןnotאָנוּare weיְכוֹלִיןableלִהְיוֹתto beזְהִירִיןcautiousבְּכָךְ,in thisכֻּלָּנוּall of usרַשָּׁאִיןare permittedלְהִכָּנֵסto enterלַחֲצַרinto the courtyard ofאֹהֶלthe Tent ofמוֹעֵד,Meetingוְאֶחָדand oneשֶׁיַּקְרִיבwho brings nearעַצְמוֹhimselfיוֹתֵרmoreמֵחֲבֵרוֹthan his fellowוְיִכָּנֵסand entersלְתוֹךְintoאֹהֶלthe Tent ofמוֹעֵדMeetingיָמוּת:will die

רַשִׁ״י

האםIs it thatתמנוwe have finishedלגוע.to dieשֶׁמָּאperhapsהֻפְקַרְנוּwe are abandonedלְמִיתָה?:to death

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidיְהוָהHashemאֶלtoאַהֲרֹןAharonאַתָּהyouוּבָנֶיךָand your sonsוּבֵיתand the house ofאָבִיךָyour fatherאִתָּךְwith youתִּשְׂאוּshall bearאֶת—עֲוֺןthe iniquity ofהַמִּקְדָּשׁthe Sanctuaryוְאַתָּהand youוּבָנֶיךָand your sonsאִתָּךְwith youתִּשְׂאוּshall bearאֶת—עֲוֺןthe iniquity ofכְּהֻנַּתְכֶם׃your priesthood

רַשִׁ״י

ויאמרAnd He saidה'Hashemאלtoאהרן.Aharonלְמֹשֶׁהto MosheאָמַרHe saidשֶׁיֹּאמַרthat he should sayלְאַהֲרֹן,to Aharonלְהַזְהִירוֹto admonish himעַלconcerningתַּקָּנַתthe benefit ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelשֶׁלֹּאthat they notיִכָּנְסוּenterלַמִּקְדָּשׁ:into the Sanctuary

רַשִׁ״י

אתהYouובניךand your sonsוביתand the house ofאביך.your fatherהֵםthey areבְּנֵיthe sons ofקְהָתKehasאֲבִיthe father ofעַמְרָם:Amram

רַשִׁ״י

תשאוyou shall bearאת—עוןthe iniquity ofהמקדש.the Sanctuaryעֲלֵיכֶםupon youאֲנִיIמַטִּילimposeעֹנֶשׁthe punishment ofהַזָּרִיםthe strangersשֶׁיֶּחֶטְאוּwho will sinבְעִסְקֵיin matters ofהַדְּבָרִיםthe thingsהַמְקֻדָּשִׁיםthat are sanctifiedהַמְּסוּרִיםthat are entrustedלָכֶם,to youהוּאwhich isהָאֹהֶלthe Tentוְהָאָרוֹןand the Arkוְהַשֻּׁלְחָןand the Tableוּכְלֵיand the vessels ofהַקֹּדֶשׁthe Sanctuary—אַתֶּםyouתֵּשְׁבוּshall sitוְתַזְהִירוּand warnעַלconcerningכָּלanyזָרstrangerהַבָּאwho comesלִגַּע:to touch

רַשִׁ״י

ואתהAnd youובניך.and your sonsהַכֹּהֲנִים:the Kohanim

רַשִׁ״י

תשאוyou shall bearאת—עוןthe iniquity ofכהנתכם.your priesthoodשֶׁאֵינָהּfor it is notמְסוּרָהgivenלַלְוִיִּם,to the Levitesוְתַזְהִירוּand you must warnהַלְוִיִּםthe Levitesהַשּׁוֹגְגִיםwho act inadvertentlyשֶׁלֹּאthat they notיִגְּעוּcome nearאֲלֵיכֶםto youבַּעֲבוֹדַתְכֶם:during your service

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

וְגַםAnd alsoאֶת—אַחֶיךָyour brothersמַטֵּהthe tribe ofלֵוִיLeviשֵׁבֶטthe tribe ofאָבִיךָyour fatherהַקְרֵבbring closeאִתָּךְwith youוְיִלָּווּand they shall accompanyעָלֶיךָupon youוִישָׁרְתוּךָand they shall minister to youוְאַתָּהand youוּבָנֶיךָand your sonsאִתָּךְwith youלִפְנֵיbeforeאֹהֶלthe Tent ofהָעֵדֻת׃the Testimony

רַשִׁ״י

וגםand alsoאחיך.your brothersבְּנֵיthe sons ofגֵרְשׁוֹןGershonוּבְנֵיand the sons ofמְרָרִי:Merari

רַשִׁ״י

וילוו.and they shall joinוְיִתְחַבְּרוּand they shall associateאֲלֵיכֶם,with youלְהַזְהִירto warnגַּםalsoאֶת—הַזָּרִיםthe strangersמִלִּקְרַבfrom drawing nearאֲלֵיהֶם:to them

רַשִׁ״י

וישרתוך.and they shall minister to youבִּשְׁמִירַתin guarding ofהַשְּׁעָרִיםthe gatesוּלְמַנּוֹתand to appointמֵהֶםfrom themגִּזְבָּרִיןtreasurersוַאֲמַרְכָּלִיןand superintendentsספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

וְשָׁמְרוּAnd they shall guardמִשְׁמַרְתְּךָyour chargeוּמִשְׁמֶרֶתand the charge ofכָּלall ofהָאֹהֶלthe Tentאַךְonlyאֶלtoכְּלֵיthe vessels ofהַקֹּדֶשׁthe Sanctuaryוְאֶלand toהַמִּזְבֵּחַthe Altarלֹאthey shall notיִקְרָבוּapproachוְלֹאso that notיָמֻתוּthey dieגַםalsoהֵםtheyגַּםalsoאַתֶּם׃you

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

וְנִלְווּAnd they shall joinעָלֶיךָwith youוְשָׁמְרוּand they shall guardאֶת—מִשְׁמֶרֶתthe charge ofאֹהֶלthe Tent ofמוֹעֵדMeetingלְכֹלfor allעֲבֹדַתthe service ofהָאֹהֶלthe Tentוְזָרand an outsiderלֹאshall notיִקְרַבdraw nearאֲלֵיכֶם׃to you

רַשִׁ״י

וזרAnd a laymanלאshall notיקרבapproachאליכם.unto youאֶתְכֶם—אֲנִיIמַזְהִירadmonishעַלconcerningכָּךְ:this

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

וּשְׁמַרְתֶּםAnd you shall guardאֵת—מִשְׁמֶרֶתthe charge ofהַקֹּדֶשׁthe Sanctuaryוְאֵתand —מִשְׁמֶרֶתthe charge ofהַמִּזְבֵּחַthe Altarוְלֹאso that notיִהְיֶהthere will beעוֹדagainקֶצֶףwrathעַלuponבְּנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵל׃Yisrael

רַשִׁ״י

ולאAnd notיהיהthere shall beעודany moreקצף.angerכְּמוֹasשֶׁהָיָהthat there wasכְבָר,alreadyשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidבמדברBamidbarי"ז17"כִּי"forיָצָאhas gone forthהַקֶּצֶף"the anger"ספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

וַאֲנִיAnd Iהִנֵּהbeholdלָקַחְתִּיhave takenאֶת—אֲחֵיכֶםyour brothersהַלְוִיִּםthe Levitesמִתּוֹךְfrom amongבְּנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelלָכֶםto youמַתָּנָהas a giftנְתֻנִיםthey are givenלַיהוָהto Hashemלַעֲבֹדto performאֶת—עֲבֹדַתthe service ofאֹהֶלthe Tent ofמוֹעֵד׃Meeting

רַשִׁ״י

לכםto youמתנהas a giftנתנים.they are givenיָכוֹלI might thinkלַעֲבוֹדַתְכֶםfor your workשֶׁלofהֶדְיוֹט,a commonerתַּ"לthe Torah teaches"לַה'",for Hashemכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁמְּפֹרָשׁit is explainedלְמַעְלָה,aboveלִשְׁמֹרto keepמִשְׁמֶרֶתthe charge ofגִּזְבָּרִיןtreasurersוַאֲמַרְכָּלִין:and trustees

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

וְאַתָּהAnd youוּבָנֶיךָand your sonsאִתְּךָwith youתִּשְׁמְרוּshall guardאֶת—כְּהֻנַּתְכֶםyour priesthoodלְכָלfor everyדְּבַרmatter ofהַמִּזְבֵּחַthe altarוּלְמִבֵּיתand for withinלַפָּרֹכֶתthe curtainוַעֲבַדְתֶּםand you shall serveעֲבֹדַתa service ofמַתָּנָהa giftאֶתֵּןI will giveאֶת—כְּהֻנַּתְכֶםyour priesthoodוְהַזָּרand the strangerהַקָּרֵבwho approachesיוּמָת׃shall be put to death

רַשִׁ״י

עבדתA service ofמתנה.giftבְּמַתָּנָהas a giftנְתַתִּיהָI have given itלָכֶם:to you

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

וַיְדַבֵּרAnd spokeיְהוָהHashemאֶלtoאַהֲרֹןAharonוַאֲנִיand Iהִנֵּהbeholdנָתַתִּיhave givenלְךָto youאֶת—מִשְׁמֶרֶתthe charge ofתְּרוּמֹתָיMy terumah-giftsלְכָלof allקָדְשֵׁיthe holy things ofבְנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelלְךָto youנְתַתִּיםI have given themלְמָשְׁחָהfor greatnessוּלְבָנֶיךָand to your sonsלְחָקas a portionעוֹלָם׃eternal

רַשִׁ״י

ואניAnd IהנהbeholdנתתיI have givenלך.to youבְּשִׂמְחָה,with joyלְשׁוֹןan expression ofשִׂמְחָהjoyהוּאitזֶה,is thisכְּמוֹjust as"הִנֵּהbeholdהוּאheיֹצֵאgoes outלִקְרָאתֶךָto meet youוְרָאֲךָand he will see youוְשָׂמַחand he will rejoiceבְּלִבּוֹ"in his heartשמותShemosד'chapter 4;מָשָׁלA parableלְמֶלֶךְto a kingשֶׁנָּתַןwho gaveשָׂדֶהa fieldלְאוֹהֲבוֹ,to his friendוְלֹאand did notכָתַבwriteוְלֹאand did notחָתַםsealוְלֹאand did notהֶעֱלָהrecordבְעַרְכָּאִין,in the archivesבָּאcameאֶחָדsomeoneוְעִרְעֵרand contestedעַלaboutהַשָּׂדֶה,the fieldאָמַרsaidלוֹto himהַמֶּלֶךְthe kingכָּלanyמִיwhoשֶׁיִּרְצֶהwishesיָבֹאwill comeוִיעַרְעֵרand contestלְנֶגְדְּךָ,against youהֲרֵינִיbehold I amכוֹתֵבwritingוְחוֹתֵםand sealingלְךָfor youוּמַעֲלֶהand recordingבְעַרְכָּאִין,in the archivesאַףsoכָּאן,hereלְפִיbecauseשֶׁבָּאthat cameקֹרַחKorachוְעִרְעֵרand contestedכְּנֶגֶדagainstאַהֲרֹןAharonעַלconcerningהַכְּהֻנָּה,the Priesthoodבָּאcameהַכָּתוּבthe Scriptureוְנָתַןand gaveלוֹto himכ"דtwenty-fourמַתְּנוֹתgifts ofכְּהֻנָּהpriesthoodבִּבְרִיתwith a covenant ofמֶלַחsaltעוֹלָם,everlastingוְלְכָךְand thereforeנִסְמְכָהwas juxtaposedפָרָשָׁהportionזוֹthisלְכָאןto hereספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

משמרתthe keeping ofתרומתי.My heave offeringsשֶׁאַתָּהthat youצָרִיךְneedלְשָׁמְרָןto guard themבְּטָהֳרָה:in purity

רַשִׁ״י

למשחה.For anointmentלִגְדֻלָּהfor greatnessשםthere:

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

זֶהThisיִהְיֶהshall beלְךָto youמִקֹּדֶשׁfrom the holyהַקֳּדָשִׁיםof holiesמִןfromהָאֵשׁthe fireכָּלeveryקָרְבָּנָםoffering of theirsלְכָלfor allמִנְחָתָםtheir grain offeringוּלְכָלand for allחַטָּאתָםtheir sin offeringוּלְכָלand for allאֲשָׁמָםtheir guilt offeringאֲשֶׁרwhichיָשִׁיבוּthey shall renderלִיto Meקֹדֶשׁholyקָדָשִׁיםof holiesלְךָfor youהוּאitוּלְבָנֶיךָ׃and for your sons

רַשִׁ״י

מןFromהאש.the fireלְאַחַרafterהַקְטָרַתthe burning ofהָאִשִּׁים:the fire-offerings

רַשִׁ״י

כלeveryקרבנם.offering of theirsכְּגוֹןfor instanceזִבְחֵיthe sacrifices ofשַׁלְמֵיpeace offerings ofצִבּוּר:the community

רַשִׁ״י

מנחתםtheir meal-offeringחטאתםtheir sin-offeringואשמתם.and their guilt-offeringכְּמַשְׁמָעוֹ:is according to its literal meaning

רַשִׁ״י

אשרwhichישיבוthey shall returnלי.to Meזֶהthisגֶּזֶלthe stolen property ofהַגֵּרthe proselyteשם;thereזבחיםZevachimמ"ד44:

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

בְּקֹדֶשׁIn the holyהַקֳּדָשִׁיםof holiesתֹּאכֲלֶנּוּyou shall eat itכָּלeveryזָכָרmaleיֹאכַלmay eatאֹתוֹitקֹדֶשׁholyיִהְיֶהit shall beלָּךְ׃to you

רַשִׁ״י

בקדשIn the holyהקדשיםof holiesתאכלנוyou shall eat itוגו'.etc.לִמֵּדThis teachesעַלregardingקָדְשֵׁיholy things ofקֳדָשִׁיםthe highest degreeשֶׁאֵיןthat they are notנֶאֱכָלִיןeatenאֶלָּאexceptבָּעֲזָרָהin the Courtyardלְזִכְרֵיby the males ofכְהֻנָּה:the priesthood

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

וְזֶהAnd thisלְּךָis yoursתְּרוּמַתthe gift ofמַתָּנָםtheir contributionלְכָלfor allתְּנוּפֹתthe wave offerings ofבְּנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelלְךָto youנְתַתִּיםI have given themוּלְבָנֶיךָand to your sonsוְלִבְנֹתֶיךָand to your daughtersאִתְּךָwith youלְחָקas a portionעוֹלָםeternalכָּלeveryoneטָהוֹרwho is pureבְּבֵיתְךָin your houseיֹאכַלmay eatאֹתוֹ׃it

רַשִׁ״י

תרומתthe heave offering ofמתנם.their giftsהַמּוּרָםthat which is set apartמִןfromהַתּוֹדָהthe thanksgiving offeringוּמֵהַשְּׁלָמִיםand from the peace offeringsוּמֵאֵילand from the ram ofנָזִיר:a Nazirite

רַשִׁ״י

לכלfor allתנופת.the wave offering ofשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdאֵלּוּtheseטְעוּנִיןrequireתְּנוּפָה:waving

רַשִׁ״י

כלeveryטהור.clean personוְלֹאand notטְמֵאִים;unclean onesדָּ"אַ:another explanationכָּלeveryטָהוֹרclean personלְרַבּוֹתto includeאִשְׁתּוֹ:his wife

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

כֹּלAllחֵלֶבthe best ofיִצְהָרoilוְכָלand allחֵלֶבthe best ofתִּירוֹשׁwineוְדָגָןand grainרֵאשִׁיתָםtheir first fruitsאֲשֶׁרwhichיִתְּנוּthey shall giveלַיהוָהto Hashemלְךָto youנְתַתִּים׃I have given them

רַשִׁ״י

ראשיתם.the first of themהִיאit isתְּרוּמָהthe Terumahגְדוֹלָה:great

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

בִּכּוּרֵיThe first-fruits ofכָּלallאֲשֶׁרthat which isבְּאַרְצָםin their landאֲשֶׁרwhichיָבִיאוּthey shall bringלַיהוָהto Hashemלְךָto youיִהְיֶהit shall beכָּלeveryoneטָהוֹרwho is pureבְּבֵיתְךָin your householdיֹאכֲלֶנּוּ׃may eat it

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

כָּלEveryחֵרֶםproscribed thingבְּיִשְׂרָאֵלin Yisraelלְךָto youיִהְיֶה׃it shall be

פָּסוּק יט

Pasuk 19

כָּלEveryפֶּטֶרfirstborn ofרֶחֶםwombלְכָלof allבָּשָׂרfleshאֲשֶׁרthatיַקְרִיבוּthey shall offerלַיהוָהto Hashemבָּאָדָםamong manוּבַבְּהֵמָהand among animalיִהְיֶהshall beלָּךְyoursאַךְhoweverפָּדֹהsurelyתִפְדֶּהyou shall redeemאֵת—בְּכוֹרthe firstborn ofהָאָדָםthe manוְאֵתand —בְּכוֹרthe firstborn ofהַבְּהֵמָהthe animalהַטְּמֵאָהthe impureתִּפְדֶּה׃you shall redeem

פָּסוּק כ

Pasuk 20

וּפְדוּיָוAnd its redemptionמִבֶּןfrom the age ofחֹדֶשׁa monthתִּפְדֶּהyou shall redeemבְּעֶרְכְּךָby your valuationכֶּסֶףsilver ofחֲמֵשֶׁתfiveשְׁקָלִיםshekelsבְּשֶׁקֶלby the shekel ofהַקֹּדֶשׁthe Sanctuaryעֶשְׂרִיםtwentyגֵּרָהgerahהוּא׃it is

פָּסוּק כא

Pasuk 21

אַךְButבְּכוֹרthe firstborn ofשׁוֹרan oxאוֹorבְכוֹרthe firstborn ofכֶּשֶׂבa sheepאוֹorבְכוֹרthe firstborn ofעֵזa goatלֹאnotתִפְדֶּהyou shall redeemקֹדֶשׁholyהֵםthey areאֶת—דָּמָםtheir bloodתִּזְרֹקyou shall sprinkleעַלuponהַמִּזְבֵּחַthe Altarוְאֶתand —חֶלְבָּםtheir fatתַּקְטִירyou shall burnאִשֶּׁהa fire offeringלְרֵיחַfor a pleasingנִיחֹחַaromaלַיהוָה׃to Hashem

פָּסוּק כב

Pasuk 22

וּבְשָׂרָםAnd their meatיִהְיֶהshall beלָּךְyoursכַּחֲזֵהlike the breast ofהַתְּנוּפָהthe elevation offeringוּכְשׁוֹקand like the thigh ofהַיָּמִיןthe rightלְךָyoursיִהְיֶה׃it shall be

רַשִׁ״י

כחזהas the breast ofהתנופהthe wavingוכשוקand as the shoulder ofהימין.the rightשֶׁלofשְׁלָמִיםpeace offeringsשֶׁנֶּאֱכָלִיןwhich are eatenלַכֹּהֲנִיםby the Kohanimוְלִנְשֵׁיהֶםand by their wivesלִבְנֵיהֶםby their sonsוּלְעַבְדֵיהֶםand by their servantsלִשְׁנֵיfor twoיָמִיםdaysוְלַיְלָהand a nightאֶחָד,oneאַףso tooהַבְּכוֹרthe firstbornנֶאֱכָלis eatenלִשְׁנֵיfor twoיָמִיםdaysוְלַיְלָהand a nightאֶחָד:one

רַשִׁ״י

לךTo youיהיה.it shall beבָּאcameרַבִּיRabbiעֲקִיבָאAkibaוְלִמֵּד,and taughtוְהוֹסִיףand addedלְךָto youהַכָּתוּבthe Scriptureהֲוָיָהa state of beingאַחֶרֶת,anotherשֶׁלֹאso that notתֹאמַר,you should sayכְּחָזֶהlike the breastוְשׁוֹקand shoulderשֶׁלofתּוֹדָהa thanksgiving offeringשֶׁאֵינוֹwhich is notנֶאֱכָלeatenאֶלָּאexceptלְיוֹםfor a dayוָלַיְלָהand a nightזבחיםZevachimנ"ז57:

פָּסוּק כג

Pasuk 23

כֹּלAllתְּרוּמֹתthe terumah-gifts ofהַקֳּדָשִׁיםthe holy thingsאֲשֶׁרwhichיָרִימוּthey shall separateבְנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelלַיהוָהto HashemנָתַתִּיI have givenלְךָto youוּלְבָנֶיךָand to your sonsוְלִבְנֹתֶיךָand to your daughtersאִתְּךָwith youלְחָקas a portionעוֹלָםeternalבְּרִיתa covenant ofמֶלַחsaltעוֹלָםeternalהִואit isלִפְנֵיbeforeיְהוָהHashemלְךָfor youוּלְזַרְעֲךָand for your offspringאִתָּךְ׃with you

רַשִׁ״י

כלAllתרומתthe heave offering ofהקדשים.the holy thingsמֵחִבָּתָהּout of affection forשֶלofפָּרָשָׁהthe sectionזוֹthisכְּלָלָהּHe generalized itבַּתְּחִלָּהat the beginningוּכְלָלָהּand He generalized itבַּסּוֹףat the endוּפָרַטand He detailedבָּאֶמְצַעin the middleעי'seeספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

בריתA covenant ofמלחsaltעולם.foreverכָּרַתHe madeבְּרִיתa covenantעִםwithאַהֲרֹןAharonבְּדָבָרwith somethingהַבָּרִיאthat is wholesomeוּמִתְקַיֵּםand lastingוּמַבְרִיאand keeps wholesomeאֶת—אֲחֵרִיםothersשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

בריתA covenant ofמלח.saltכַּבְּרִיתis like the covenantהַכְּרוּתָהthat was madeלַמֶּלַחwith saltשֶׁאֵינוֹwhich does notמַסְרִיחַdecayלְעוֹלָם:forever

פָּסוּק כד

Pasuk 24

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd He saidיְהוָהHashemאֶלtoאַהֲרֹןAharonבְּאַרְצָםin their landלֹאyou shall notתִנְחָלinheritוְחֵלֶקand a portionלֹאnotיִהְיֶהshall there beלְךָto youבְּתוֹכָםin their midstאֲנִיI amחֶלְקְךָyour portionוְנַחֲלָתְךָand your inheritanceבְּתוֹךְin the midst ofבְּנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵל׃Yisrael

רַשִׁ״י

וחלקand a portionלאnotיהיהshall there beלךto youבתוכם.in their midstאַףevenבַּבִּזָּהin the spoilשםthere:

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah begins with Hashem instructing Moshe to preserve Aharon's staff as a sign for future rebels, which Moshe carries out faithfully. Following the people's outcry of fear regarding the danger of approaching the Mishkan, Hashem commands Aharon and his sons to bear the responsibility of guarding the Sanctuary, with the Levi'im assisting them while remaining strictly forbidden from touching the inner vessels or the Altar. Hashem then details the twenty-four gifts of the Kehunah, including the holy offerings, the first fruits, the redemption of the firstborn, and the choice portions of oil, wine, and grain. Finally, Hashem declares that the Kohanim will have no inheritance or portion in the land of Israel, because Hashem is their portion and inheritance.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

In the aftermath of the terrible machlokes of Korach, the Bnei Yisrael were gripped with fear, crying out that anyone who comes close to the Mishkan will die. Hashem responds not by pushing them away, but by establishing order, guarding the sanctuary, and reassuring Aaron of his precious role. Then, the Torah lists the twenty-four gifts of the priesthood, concluding with the ultimate promise: "I am your portion and your inheritance." Aaron and his children received no physical land in Eretz Yisrael, yet they lacked nothing because they had the Aibershter Himself.

This teaches us a profound lesson about our own avodah. Sometimes, we look around at the material world and feel we are missing out, or we worry about our physical security and sustenance. But the Torah is reminding us of the true definition of wealth. When a Yid dedicates themselves to Torah, to avodah, and to bringing holiness into this world, they become like the Kohanim. You do not need to possess everything in the world to be secure; when you make Hashem your portion, you have everything.

This perspective changes how we view our daily struggles. Instead of chasing after endless material guarantees, we can find deep menuchas hanefesh (peace of mind) by strengthening our bitachon. When you realize that Hashem is your portion, your heart becomes settled, and you can serve Him with joy, free from the constant anxiety of what tomorrow will bring.

Today, when you say the words of Birchas HaTorah or sit down to learn, take thirty seconds to stop and think: "Hashem, You are my portion. I don't need to worry about the rest; I am in Your hands."