Seder 115: Numbers 16:26 and Psalm 84:10---Avoiding the Tents of the Wicked

 In dealing with the rebellion of Dathan and Abiram, Moses directs the people, "Depart, please, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest you be swept away with all their sins" (Nu 16:26).  Dathan and Abiram soon were to be put to death, and only those who chose to stand with them would die with them. 

Dathan and Abiram were swallowed up by the ground (verse 32) along with fellow rebel leader Korah (Nu 26:10).  But Korah's sons were spared (26:11).

Later, in the time of King David, descendants of Korah's sons composed a number of Psalms, including Psalm 84.  There is a possible allusion to Numbers 16:26 in Psalm 84:10, which seems to highlight a lesson the family learned from Korah's rebellion:  

"For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.  I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness."

Korah desired the priesthood, and his selfish ambition cost him his life.  Would that he have been content with the privileges he had been given as a Levite, as Moses had urged (Nu 16:8-11).  The rebellion and its tragic outcome were recalled by his descendants, who recorded for us an important lesson from these events in Psalm 84:10.  (HT:  Doug Dudis)

Seder 154: Psalm 61---David the Vow-Keeper

 In Psalm 61, David prays for help in a time of trial.  He is worn out by his unspecified ordeal.  "My heart is faint," he says in verse 2.  

He also feels as if he is far away from God.  "From the end of the earth I call to you," he says.  The midrash on Psalm 61 notes God's promises to hear the prayers of his people even when they have gone astray and are in exile---in other words, no matter how far away they are (Dt 4:27-31; Jer 29:12-13).  

He seeks protection from "the rock that is higher than I" (v 2), which may be a reference both to God and to his sanctuary, in light of verses 3-4.  In verse 3, he describes God as a refuge and strong tower.  In verse 4, he expresses a desire to "dwell in your tent forever," a sentiment that reminds us of Psalm 26:8 and Psalm 84:10.  The midrash on Psalm 61 suggests that David hopes he will be in the sanctuary forever in the sense that his psalms would continually be sung there.  

He is confident that God will deliver him, and that he will have the opportunity to express his gratitude by fulfilling the vows he has made in his time of trial (verses 5-8).   

He also prays that his dynasty will continue forever (verses 6-7), which can be seen as a prayer for the fulfillment of the promise of the coming of the Messiah.

Seder 74: Exodus 38-39---A Tabernacle Inventory

 The section from Exodus 38:21 through Exodus 39:31 gives a listing of the valuable raw materials used in Israel's tabernacle.  In his Exodus commentary, Dennis Prager observes that the careful listing is a model for a transparent process for carrying out the project.  It was made clear how all the donations were used.  

A continual refrain throughout this part of the Exodus is the phrase "as the Lord had commanded Moses" (Ex 39:1,5,7,21,26,29,31).  The Israelites were eager to participate in this project and to demonstrate their repentance after the golden calf incident.  

The materials were of great total value, amounting to what today would be many millions of dollars.  Of course the opportunity for the Israelites to travel with God present in their midst was priceless (see Psalm 84).