As is explained in many of the writings of the kabbalists, Shabbat Naso is a very significant Shabbat. There is the regular explanation of this week’s portion in the Zohar, but there is also something very unique: the revelation of what is called the Idra Rabba, or the Great Assembly. The Zohar explains different secrets and understandings of the sections in the Torah, but all of the secrets that are revealed in the Zohar are within the Idra Rabba. So, why is the Idra Rabba revealed on this Shabbat? The question begins to open up our understanding of the great and unique gift of Shavuot that led into this Shabbat. What are the secrets that the Zohar reveals? The answer goes back to a basic teaching of Rav Ashlag. He says it is the purpose of our spiritual work to begin to taste and feel the Light of the Creator with all of our senses; the power and gift of the night of Shavuot is that... read more

There is a very famous section in the Midrash in regards to the portion of Bamidbar, and I read it almost every year as I come to this Shabbat. The Midrash says that when the Creator revealed the Light at Sinai, 240,000 angels came down surrounding it. And it says that each one of the angels had a flag. Interestingly, when the Israelites saw the great Light of the Creator, and the great love the Creator was showing them during this revelation, their singular request was: we want flags too. Really? This seems kind of silly; you are at the greatest revelation in all of history, you see angels holding flags… and your greatest desire at that point is to have a flag also? The Creator on this Shabbat comes to Moses, and says, do you remember at Sinai the Israelites desired flags? I want to fulfill their desire and give them flags - let’s count them, set them up, and arrange them. But the... read more