Community Torah Corner - May 29, 2026 — Nasso

At the beginning of Parashat Nasso, the Torah talks about counting the sons of Levi and their families. The tribe of Levi had three main families: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Each family had a special job connected to the Mishkan. Gershon carried the curtains, Kohath carried the holiest objects, and Merari carried the beams and heavy parts.

Hashem told Moshe to count only the males of certain ages because they were responsible for carrying and serving in the Mishkan. Every family had a different role, but all of them were important. This teaches us that every person has a job, and when everyone does their part, the whole community works better. We must stay loyal to our goals and responsibilities, not only for others, but for ourselves.

While G-d tells Aaron many important things, these pasuks stood out to me. G-d begins the portion by describing the setup of an altar to Aaron, something that at base value may now seem meaningless, but it once again loops back to loyalty. After describing the setup  of the altar G-d says “Do not let the Kohanite clans be cut off from the Levites. Do this with them (this is referring to setting up the altar), that they may live and not die when they approach the sacred objects: let Aaron and his sons go in and assign every one of them, in turn, to his duties and his porterage. But do not let the Kohathites go inside and witness the dismantling of the sanctuary.” These instructions are packed with themes of loyalty. He discusses loyalty to the other tribes, then he mentions loyalty to their religion, which in turn in loyalty to Hashem! Even laws that no longer apply to us today still hold relevant meanings. 

Later in the parasha, we learn about loyalty, responsibility, and what happens when someone makes a mistake. The Torah explains that when people stay loyal and do the right thing, they are blessed. But when someone sins, there are consequences. In the time of the Mishkan, people brought sacrifices to fix their mistakes. Even though we do not bring sacrifices today, we still learn that we must take responsibility for our actions and try to improve.

One pasuk that stood out says: “וְזֹאת עֲשׂוּ לָהֶם וְחָיוּ וְלֹא יָמֻתוּ…” Hashem commands Aharon and his sons to carefully guide the family of Kohath קהת when they approach the holy objects, so they will live and not die.

This shows that Hashem cared about them and wanted to protect them. The Leviim had to follow instructions carefully. In return, Hashem protected them. This teaches us that loyalty and responsibility bring safety and success.

At the end of the parasha, we read Birkat Kohanim, the Kohanim Blessing:

יְבָרֶכְךָ֥ יְהֹוָ֖ה וְיִשְׁמְרֶֽךָ׃    

GOD bless you and protect you!

יָאֵ֨ר יְהֹוָ֧ה ׀ פָּנָ֛יו אֵלֶ֖יךָ וִֽיחֻנֶּֽךָּ׃    

GOD deal kindly and graciously with you!

יִשָּׂ֨א יְהֹוָ֤ה ׀ פָּנָיו֙ אֵלֶ֔יךָ וְיָשֵׂ֥ם לְךָ֖ שָׁלֽוֹם׃   

GOD bestow favor upon you and grant you peace!

וְשָׂמ֥וּ אֶת־שְׁמִ֖י עַל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַאֲנִ֖י אֲבָרְכֵֽם׃    

Thus they shall link My name with the people of Israel, and I will bless them.

The Kohanim bless the people of Israel with protection, kindness, and peace.

This connects to the whole parasha. First we see responsibility in counting the Leviim. Then we see loyalty and consequences. And finally, we see blessing. When people take their roles seriously and act responsibly, it brings blessing and peace to everyone.

As students, this is very meaningful. Just like each family of Levi had a different job, each of us has different strengths. When we are responsible in school, loyal to our friends, and honest in our choices, we help create a positive and peaceful environment.

Parashat Nasso teaches us that when everyone does their part and acts with loyalty and responsibility, the result is blessing and shalom for the whole community.

Thank you, and Shabbat Shalom.