Multitudes of people are often called "masses"; but this description does not fit the ingathering of the Holy Nation. Our gathering is a means of achieving collective holiness, a grand symphony that elevates each individual into an integral part of the Whole. Just as the nature of the symphony dictates the notes of each instrument, so does the nature of Holiness prescribe complete harmony between people. When individuals overstep their boundaries, they have ruined the harmony and must either rectify their deed completely, till their is no remnant left of it, or they must remove themselves from the stage.
Our Parsha seems at first glance to be a wide spectrum of varied subjects, loosely thrown together into one sidra: Counting the last two Levite tribes, separation of those who are Tameh, rectifying theft, suspected adultery, the Nazarite, the priestly blessings, and last but not least, the special donations of the Tribe leaders. A deeper understanding of these subjects will however put things in a completely different light.
The Parsha is called Naso, elevate, and that is also its theme. The prerequisite for elevating Klal Yisroel lies in separating its various components, each fulfilling its own distinct function. Although the family of Merari were involved in maintaining the body of the Holy Tabernacle, the Torah does not use the expression Naso when referring to them specifically, for they are in charge of the defending the lower aspects of Holiness. Also among the various parts of the Nation there was a clear demarcation: Jealousy and greed, the hallmark of theft, make a person Metzorah, requiring him to leave the whole Camp of Israel; Physical desires, culminating in adultery, make a person become Zav, requiring him to leave only the Camp of those whose lives are devoted to spirituality; Affiliation with death, Tumas Mes, prevents a person from residing only in that which is completely holy, the Camp of the Cohanim, all of which are inherent Nazarites.
When there is a clear demarcation of roles, the individuals are elevated into a magnificent Whole. A nation such as this is befitting of the Holy Benediction which is done by the elevation of the hands — Nesius kappaim — thereby elevating the mundane to spirituality.
Within a given demarcation however, there must be complete, true equality. This is seen in the donations of the Tribe leaders that were all identical. Although they were each brought for completely different reasons, the end result was all the same, indicating true unison in the mutual goal of raising the parts into a grand Whole.
Based on Rabbi Vali's book on Vayikra and on Pri Zadik by R' Zadok Hacohen. Questions can be mailed to: the Yeshiva