Parshat B’midbar; Numbers 1:1 – 4:20; by Rabbi Denise L. Eger

The fourth book of the Torah begins this week, the book of Numbers. In Hebrew this portion is called B’midbar—meaning in the wilderness. This is also the Hebrew name of this book of the Torah.

The opening verses of this portion take a census of the men of fighting age of the Israelites-“All who are age twenty years and up and able to bear arms (Num.1:3).” These are preparations to organize and formalize the fighting force of the Israelite nation. The tribal heads are designated and listed. They will become the Joint Chiefs of Staff for the new Israelite army that will help conquer the Promised Land and help fulfill the God’s promise to Abraham so long ago. Each tribe has an accounting of its fighting strength and each tribe designated as part of a larger division or fighting unit. As the nation of Israel makes its way north to the Promised Land they will encounter many hostile nations. They will be attacked and have to defend themselves. Thus the tribes become the new army of the Israelites and important to keep this group of former slaves alive.

It is interesting however that at this army’s core is the Mishkan – the dwelling place of God on earth. The various tribes and the divisions of this new army are set up in specific places surrounding the Tabernacle. Whenever the Israelites were encamped—the Division of Judah would be on the east. This included the tribes of Issachar, Judah and Zebulun; the Division of Reuben on the south of the Tabernacle included the tribes of Gad, Reuben and Simeon. On the Western side of the Mishkan was the Division of Ephraim which included the tribes of Manasseh, Ephraim and Benjamin. While on the north side of the Tent of Meeting the Division of Dan was placed and this included the tribes of Asher, Dan and Naphatali. This army is not serving some earthly king’s whim or even Moses’ folly. But this army will be carrying out the promises of God and the soldiers when they are organized must have God at their core if they are to be successful.

This message will be a thread throughout the book of Numbers. When the Israelites place God at the core of their lives they are successful in all of their endeavors whether it is conquering the Land of Israel or personal and family success. But when the Israelites forget God and follow after their own ideas or even other local deities they fail miserably and often meet defeat.

This is a timeless message that ought to resonate for us even today.

When we place God and our covenant at the core of our existence- we are strengthened as individuals and as the Jewish people. Our system of living, the mitzvot that are ours to fulfill help create a life of meaning and balance, hope and spirituality. By placing God and our Jewish way of life in the center of our lives rather than the vanities of society today –we will find success. It was true for the Israelites—it is still true for us today.

Posted by Lee at May 14, 2007 09:50 AM