Parshat Bamidbar
This week we begin a new Torah portion of Bamidbar. This fourth book of the Torah, delves into the experiences of the Jewish people throughout the 40 years that they spent in the wilderness. Although, the majority of the recorded history is from the first year and the final year, without much information on the middle 38 years, each episode and event teaches us great and important lessons.
The first Mitzvah in the portion is that of taking a census of the Jewish people. Rashi (France 1040-1105) offers the following reason "since G-d loves them, he therefore counts them frequently. When we left Egypt he counted them, when many fell at the sin of the Golden Calf he counted them, and when He was to place His providence on them, he counted them again".
The Hebrew word Bamidbar means "in the desert". The English name Numbers, is based on (1) the fact that the sages did call this book Chumash Hapekudim-the book of numbers (2) Numbers is derived from the Greek translation of the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Torah in the 2nd and 3rd centuries).
While logically we can understand that this "book of counting" is called Numbers, the word Bamidbar "in the desert" has much relevance and importance.
People are not Numbers.
There are billions of people in this world. The vast majority of them, we have and will never meet or know them. But the people that we do know, and are involved in our lives, can be for us the greatest joy and also the greatest source of heartache.
Each individual is a world. Often, in the hustle and bustle of life we forget the uniqueness and importance of the individual.
During the summer I usually lead a Birthright trip to Israel with my wife. Of the many special, educational and exciting activities we do, one stands out. It takes place in the Negev desert. We take the group out in middle of the desert at night and have them look at the stars in the sky. The strong darkness is surprising. The sounds of the desert are eerie. The wind on your face tingles with the unknown. You feel alone and a bit unbalanced. Then, as we talk about our forefathers Abraham and Sarah, and G-d's promise to them that he would make their children great like stars of the heaven, we look upwards and see the majesty of the stars. You feel alone but also connected to your people, your history, and your land, Israel. You feel the power of the individual.
In the last weeks, we have faced some really challenging times. First the horrific tragedy in Meron, Israel and this week watching in horror as over 2000+ rockets were fired on Israeli civilians by Hamas. We feel so alone. Social media and news outlets continue to push a false narrative, lies about Israel and its people. We feel so small and insignificant. Who am I? What can I possibly do to help? Does anyone even care about us?
The lesson of Bamidbar is a resounding yes! As one realizes the greatness of the universe and the vastness of the desert, they will also realize that each and every one of us matters. G-d placed us here on earth to make a difference and contribute. When we appreciate the greatness of Hashem and His creations, and recognize that while we can not perhaps fix everything and understand everything, we do have the power to do our little part, that is empowering and brings vitality. The message of the Midbar is YOU DO MATTER!
As our sages tell us in the Ethics of our Fathers "Rabbi Tarfon said, you are not required to complete the task, yet you are not free to withdraw from it". We must do our part for our people, for our land and for ourselves.
Am Yisrael Chai!
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Shavuot Sameach
Rabbi Yossi Marrus
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