פָּרָשַׁת נָשֹׂא

Parshat Naso, with 176 pesukim, is the longest parsha in the Torah. It continues the count of the Leviim (Levites) and their work carrying the Mishkan (the Tabernacle): the sons of Gershon carry its curtains, coverings and courtyard hangings, and the sons of Merari its boards, bars, pillars and sockets, both under Itamar son of Aharon. The Leviim between thirty and fifty years old who do this work number 8,580.

The laws of how to keep the camp holy are given, because Hashem dwells in it. Everyone who is tamei (ritually impure) is sent out of the camp. One who wrongs his fellow confesses his sin and repays what he owes with a fifth added. The sotah (a wife suspected of unfaithfulness) drinks the bitter water with the curses erased into it: if she is guilty it harms her, and if she is innocent she is cleared and blessed with children. The nazir (one who vows to separate himself for Hashem) drinks no wine, does not cut his hair, and does not become tamei for the dead, even for his own parents.

Hashem gives Aharon and his sons the words of Birkat Kohanim (the Priestly Blessing), which the kohanim (priests) still say today: "May Hashem bless you and guard you. May Hashem make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May Hashem lift up His face toward you and give you peace." (The Chanukah Torah reading begins here and continues with the Nesi'im, the princes of the tribes.) On the day the Mishkan is set up, the twelve Nesi'im bring wagons and oxen for the Leviim, and then, one Nasi each day for twelve days, identical offerings for the dedication of the altar. The parsha closes with Moshe entering the Ohel Moed (the Tent of Meeting) and hearing Hashem's voice speak to him from between the two keruvim (cherubs) above the Aron (the Ark).