Naso: insecurity

Naso:  insecurity

The drama in the middle of Naso is the Sota, the woman accused of straying.  That story  admits that the accusations may be false.  It pays no attention to the feelings of the ministering Cohen. He may sense the emptiness of the accusation, but the show must go on. We know where this accusation comes from.  It is the husband's sense of inadequacy that starts this ritual of intimidation.  The Omniscient stages a trial by ordeal?  Who is the audience?

The Nazir does not trust his will to abstain from wine.   His wild, long hair becomes the symbol of his thwarted desires. He is forbidden contact with the dead. Fear of death cannot be his motivator. 

Then comes the Priestly Blessing. ,

 וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ: Blessing is not enough, the blessed need to be guarded ( perhaps from what they will do with the blessing) 

 וִיחֻנֶּךָּ If the light is shed you ( if your heavenly file is opened), you need grace   

יִשָּׂא: The theme of the parsha. Lift. Bear the burden of being counted, do what your supposed to do. 

Finally 12 Nesiim each bring the identical inaugural gift to the Mishkan.  Uniformity is an excellent way to handle insecurity. When you don't know what to do, do what everyone else does.