Behalothecha: what to follow

“Behaloth” appears twice in the parsha. (8:1) It introduces (and thus names) the parsha, describing the technique that Aaron, the high priest, should use to kindle the  Menorah.   The second appearance (9;22) tells us that when the cloud over the mishkan rose, the people would travel.  They would follow the cloud. In both cases, there is a sense of direction and ascent. The root of the word, al, means ascent ( as in aliya or kroban olah). Fire and clouds ascend.  They are more spiritual and spectral than ordinary stuff.  The light of the menorah allowed the High Priest to see a path.  The cloud over the mishkan determined the path.

Identifying the path is a major theme of the parsha. Sometimes, it is explicit. Moshe asks  his father-in-law to join the nation. Hovav (Jethro?) is ( at least) ambivalent.  He returns to his homeland. Miriam  says that Moshe is not the only possible authority.  Her insolence leaves her leprous and delays the travels of the people for a week.

The people’s request for meat brings up the question of which internal voice a person should follow.  The demand for a varied diet can be seen as physiological. People want a varied diet to supply the full range of nutrients their bodies need ( like chocolate and cake).  Moshe’s hopeless depression in this situation might come from a sense that there is some validity to the demand.  How far does a person follow an ascending wisp of cloud?

Of course, in the end, Gd can provide what is desired ( despite Moshe’s doubts) and Gd knows best what the human needs.  The meat makes the people sick, because it angered Gd (and Moshe).

The menorah is lit. The cloud ascends. Are they related? Is the perception of the divine generated by the (very special)  mortal?  Follow Moshe on twitter?

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