Bamidbar; Numbers 1:1-4:20

With this week’s parasha the fourth book of the Torah begins. After the instructions in ways of the priesthood that filled Leviticus, Bamidbar, the book of Numbers will return to the narrative of the experience of the Children of Israel in the wilderness. The Hebrew name of this book of the Torah conveys just that—in the desert or in the wilderness.

However, this week’s parasha begins with instructions to Moses by God to “take a census” of the community and household of Israel. Hence the English name—Numbers. For that is what Moses does—he counts the numbers of the clans, tribes, and each and every household listing the names of every male. The portion records names and tribes of those who will help in this undertaking and also records the numbers of men in each grouping.

There is strength in numbers goes the saying. And this portion supports that idea. How can you prepare to enter the promise land and meet the natives there without knowing your strength or without knowing how strong an army you will have? Hence, the tribes are counted, especially those able bodied men who will become the Israelite army ready to enter the promise land and take possession of it as promised by God.

The tribes are also assigned their place and order in the encampment. With the Ohel Moed, the Tent of Meeting and the Ark of the Covenant at the center. The tribes then take their ceremonial place surrounding the Tabernacle with the Levites forming the encampment closest to the Tent of Meeting. On the South Side closest to the tabernacle is the Kohathites (part of the Levites) and the Division of Reuben made up of the tribes of Gad, Reuben and Simeon. On the East side closest to the tabernacle is Moses, Aaron and his sons and the Division of Judah made up of Issachar Judah and Zebulun. On the North side closest to the tabernacle is the Merarites (part of the Levites) and the Division of Dan made up of the tribes of Asher Dan and Naphtali and finally on the west side of the Tabernacle is first the Gershonites (Part of the Levites) and the Division of Ephraim made up of the tribes of Manasseh, Ephraim and Benjamin.

The Levites are not counted. They have a special calling already and will not be a part of the conquering army that will eventually be led by Joshua. The Levites also will not be given a portion in the Promised Land. The tribe of Levi will not have land holdings. Instead the priesthood has been given the unique task of nurturing the relationship between the Israelites and the Children of Israel. This is their portion. But towards the end of the Parasha—the Levites and the line of the priesthood is delineated and their duties are recounted. Further the different clans of the Levites, the Cohanim, the Merarite, Kohathites and Gershonites each have a unique responsibility in dismantling and rebuilding the portable tabernacle through the desert. While the parasha only describes the duties of the Cohanim and the Kohathites, next week’s parasha picks up and describes the Merarite and Gershonite duties and responsibilities in detail.

Ironically, while in the wilderness, there the Children of Israel find order. They find their place, their clan and tribe. In the unpredictable, open expanse of the wilderness, the Children of Israel through their relationship with the Divine find community, purpose, a calendar, rituals and even laws. They create the basis for a society that is honed in the wild, to be made ready for Promised Land. Out of seeming chaos comes more than just a random expression of civilization, out of chaos, out of the wilderness comes a society.

Expressed here is a theology of faith and belief and creation. Just as we read in the book of Genesis in the account of creation—out of the tohu v’vohu, the chaos and void, God created an order and saw that it was good. So too this is a similar creation story. First the universe writ large, then our Jewish universe created in the wilderness of Sinai.

God sees this as good – because the Promised land is waiting as ultimate fulfillment of creation—just as humanity was the ultimate promise of creation in Genesis.

May we learn from this parasha to take the wilderness that we all often find ourselves in and turn it into a laboratory not for wandering, but rather for learning, discovery and yes, preparation for entering each of our own Promised Lands.

Posted by Lee at May 18, 2004 12:40 PM