Summary of Parshat Behaalotcha
Aaron is sent to light the candles of the Menorah (seven-branched candelabrum), and the tribe of Levi is initiated into service in the Sanctuary.
A "Second Passover" is instituted in response to the plea, "Why are we being deprived?" raised by a group of Jews who were unable to offer the Passover sacrifice at the proper time because they were ritually impure. God instructs Moses on the procedures for Israel's journeys and encampments in the wilderness, and the people travel in formation from Mount Sinai, where they had camped for nearly a year.
The people are dissatisfied with the "bread from heaven" (the manna) and demand that Moses provide them with meat. Moses appoints 70 elders, to whom he emanates from his own spirit, to assist him with the burden of governing the people. Miriam speaks negatively of Moses and is punished with tzaráat - a type of leprosy; Moshe prays for his healing and the entire community waits seven days for his recovery.""
