Rosner’s Torah Talk: Nasso with Margaret Hughes Robinson

Margo Hughes-Robinson will graduate from the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2021. Prior to studying at JTS, Margo graduated from Clark University in Worcester, MA, where she graduated with degrees in Theatre and Jewish Studies, and at the Year Program at the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem. She is a passionate interfaith organizer and educator, teaching Jewish-Christian Bible classes and working with groups like the New York Muslim-Jewish Solidarity Committee and Standing UPtown for Justice.

This Week’s Torah Portion – Parashat Nasso (Numbers 4:21-7:89) – begins with the completion of the head count of the people of Israel. God then gives Moses instructions concerning the purification of the camp, ‘wayward wives’ (wives which are suspected of being unfaithful to her husband) Nezirim (Jewish ascetics who take a vow to devote themselves to God), and the Priestly Blessing. Toward the end of the parasha the tabernacle is consecrated and the chieftains of the different tribes bring their offerings. Our discussion focuses on the meaning of the Nazir.