From The Rabbi’s Study…Shabbat, June 6, 7, 2025/10, 11, Sivan 5785
The Torah portion continues with the enumeration of Levite families and their duties, the removal of unclean persons from the Israelite camp, the law of jealousy, the Nazirite Code, the priestly blessings, and the offerings of the tribal chieftains.
The concepts and values from the Torah portion are Ma’al/trespass committed against the Lord, Nazirite, Birkat Kohanim/the Priestly Blessing during the Temple service, and confession of sins.
This Shabbat is the story about a unique Nazirite that is read in the Haftarah, which is the concluding part of the Torah service.
The Nazirite was a person who vowed to abstain from various pleasures and dedicate himself to G-d for a period of time not less than thirty days. Jewish tradition, however, has always discouraged austerity and frowns on hermits or recluses who permanently isolate themselves from the Jewish community.
The Haftarah describes the beginning of Samson’s life. Some may have read the book or saw the movie of Samson but to study these individuals of Prophets or the Judges is to fully comprehend their personal lives and the challenging decisions they made. Samson was a judge, a military and political leader of the Israelites. Judges were the leaders of Israel in the period immediately following the conquest of the land under Joshua until the anointing of Saul as Israel’s first king.
Samson’s mother was childless, but an angel of G-d appeared to her and announced that she would become pregnant. He instructs her not to drink alcoholic beverages or have contact with the dead. The angel further informs Samson’s mother that her son will save Israel from the Philistines. The codes of a Nazarite are many, these are a few: prohibitions as to not drink, do not touch the dead, and do not cut your hair. The hair was symbolic with one’s dedication to G-d and strength of the Nazarite.
Samson was the typical traditional Nazarite to say the least. He lived with a Philistine woman, Delilah, who constantly questioned Samsom as she was an agent for the Philistines. Samson finally told her that his strength was given to him by G-d and he should never cut his hair, or he will lose his strength. One night while he was sleeping, she cut his hair and the Philistines captured him. The Philistines tortured him and blinded him. Samson was tied to the pillars of the Palace. Samson prayed to G-d about how he failed Him and asked to have G-d return his strength to kill all the Philistines. G-d returned Samson’s strength which enabled him to bring the pillars and buildings down on the Philistines which killed him as well.
It is known that those who have special skills and talents are given gifts from the Lord. One is supposed to use these unique traits for the betterment of humanity and not to enrich themselves. Throughout the ages individuals appear and bring such amazing discoveries that advance many fields of study. From the inventions of iron, steel, boats, ships, nuclear subs, and the wheel to trains, planes, jets and automobiles, and further to spaceships, space stations and satellites, and on to medicine from basic aspirin to modern methods of healing, and the list continues. These people walked among our ancestors and even today these individuals step up and create with their wisdom and strength to better humanity.
One may even say that G-d sends His angels around us, too.
May we pray for the Jewish people that were burnt by an Antisemitic Terrorist in Boulder, Colorado that they have a speedy recovery.
May we continue to pray for Israel and the release of the hostages.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Helene Ainbinder
