Naso:the same thing only different

Naso:the same thing only different

The parsha can be divides into three parts.  It begins with the specific  task assignments to the various Levite families.  Each family has its own group of labors associated with the dismantling, transport and assembly of the Mishkan, the portable sanctuary. each group has its own place in the assembly line, Specialization leads to proficiency.  The tasks are also honors.  Everyone has his place. 

The core of the parha is the sota, the nazir and the priestly blessing.  The sota deals with the most private of human interactions:sexual fantasy - what a husband  thinks his wife is feeling.  It deals with his insecurity, which is probably born (in part) from the projection of his own (testosterone fueled) fantasies upon his wife.  If there was an infidelity, she was probably  looking for freedom more than love. (The movies, by romanticizing the wayward relationship, have made it more difficult to understand.)  Sota is generally founded on male insecurity.  That is why the Biblical solution is a non toxic ritual.  The waters are poisonous if someone adds the  poison.

I imagine the nazir looked like we, my 1970's friends and I, looked back in the day. The long hair, the vows of abstinence, the life affirming  behaviors. The nazir is the adolescent searching for unique individuality  by means of a formula.  Dealing with desire trough its denial.  It is a rite o passage

Finally, there are the twelve , seemingly identical, gifts to the Sanctuary from the tribal princes.   Should this have been a capitalist contest to see who could be most creative or most generous?  Each prince giving the same gift was unifying, generous and humble. And the gifts did not mean the same thing to each prince. The tribe of Judah was twice the size of Benjamin, some tribes were wealthier than others.  To the givers these offerings were different

Everybody is unique.  We look more alike  than we think.