The Weekly Shtikle - Naso

The Weekly Shtikle is dedicated le'iluy nishmas my father, Reuven Pinchas ben Chaim Yaakov, a"h.

 

This week's parsha is indeed the longest single parsha in the entire Torah. However, as any ba'al keriyah will attest, once you get past around the halfway point, it's relatively smooth sailing with a repetition of the pesukim related to the korbanos of the nesi'im 12 times. There are very few deviations to watch out for. The nasi of the second day, however, contains some noteworthy differences. As Rashi (7:18) points out, the word hikriv is used for the offering of Nesan'el ben Tzuar of the tribe of Yissachar – not once but twice – whereas for others, the verb is left out completely. Rashi explains that Reuven felt that after being pre-empted by Yehudah, he should surely be next. But Moshe insisted that the Divine decree was that Yissachar come next. Rashi also adds, to explain the second instance, that Nesan'el was in fact the mastermind behind the bringing of all these sacrifices.

 

Another approach may be offered for the use of hikriv. One of the more well-known points of discussion surrounding the repeated sacrifices is the fact that although the identical offering was brought by each nasi, each had his own individual intentions and focus in mind when he brought them. This analysis is perhaps easier to engage in when looking in hindsight at all twelve offerings. However, perhaps the most challenging position to be in was the second slot. The first nasi obviously appears completely original. Once the pattern is established, from the third nasi and on, it appears normal. It's the second who looks like the copycat. It took extra courage for Nesan'el to come forth with the exact same offering as Nachshon. Perhaps that is why the verb hikriv is used.

 

Have a good Shabbos.

Eliezer Bulka

WeeklyShtikle@weeklyshtikle.com

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