Reply To: Short & Sweet

Naso: Shouldering with Simcha

The Gemora finds a very surprising source for having Shira while the Kohanim do the Avodah. The passuk in our Parsha says that the family of Kehas did not receive any wagons to carry the Aron. Rather, בכף ישאו, they were to carry it on their shoulders. The Gemora points out that in Tehillim this word is used to denote singing: שאו זמרה. But what is it he connection between carrying a load and singing Shira?

R’ Aaron Lopiansky explains that one can be shouldering a responsibility in one of two very different ways. One approach is to view the responsibility as a burden, something that you must do even though you don’t want to.

Alternatively, one can view what they carry not as a burden, but as a fulfillment of their life’s mission. A great example of this is a parent carrying a child on their shoulders. The parent sees the child as a continuation of the parent, as their pride and joy. If one views carrying the Torah in this way, they will see it as ארון נושא נושאיו, that the Aron is really carrying them.

There is an easily apparent difference between these attitudes. One who bears a burden groans under its weight. But a parent carrying their child sings with joy. When it comes to carrying the Torah, we must pick the second option. We shoulder the responsibility of the Torah with song & joy.

לע״נ דוד חיים בן ישראל דוב הכהן
לע״נ ר׳ חיים דוב בן ר׳ בןציון שלום