Numbers 1:1–4:20
Parshat Bamidbar
Bamidbar, “in the desert,” opens the fourth book of the Torah with a census of the tribes. It describes the arrangement of the camp, each tribe around the Mishkan under its own banner, and the Levites, who are counted separately and take the place of the firstborn. Bamidbar is almost always read on the Shabbat before Shavuot.
Essays
Parsha Bamidbar – Angel Flags The Jewish people are divided into four camps. These four camps reflect four aspects of our relationship with G-d: Torah study, prayer, performance of Mitzvos and serving G-d in all of our ways by doing everything with a higher motive and purpose. BAMIDBAR BAMIDBAR Parsha Bamidbar – Are You on Automatic Pilot? Life is about appreciating all the gifts that were given to us by our forebears. But true life requires that we do not rely on those gifts. We must roll up our own sleeves and forge ahead to bring Moshiach! BAMIDBAR BAMIDBAR Parsha Bamidbar – Clarity G-d knows our needs better than we do. We need to pray to G-d so that we gain clarity as to what we really need and what we should want. BAMIDBAR BAMIDBAR Parsha Bamidbar – Counting in the Desert Humility is not denial of one’s virtues and accomplishments. True humility is realizing that all your talents are expressions of the Divine. BAMIDBAR BAMIDBAR Parsha Bamidbar – Counting Counting is a Jewish exercise. Much of Jewish practices require counting up to them. However, it is not just a means to an end. Counting is intrinsically a holy experience. BAMIDBAR BAMIDBAR Parsha Bamidbar – Do You Count? If we only knew how much we counted we would never be the same! BAMIDBAR BAMIDBAR Parsha Bamidbar – Excuse Me, Do You Have a Second? It takes just one moment or movement—the Hebrew word for moment can also be translated as movement—to turn the whole world around and bring salvation and assistance to the entire world. BAMIDBAR BAMIDBAR Parsha Bamidbar – Judaism and Genealogy Respect for Elders is Central to Judaism. But, we are living in a time that the elders have much to gain from the youth. When the respect goes in both directions we have fertile environment for Moshiach. BAMIDBAR BAMIDBAR Parsha Bamidbar – Keep the Passion Under Wraps There is nothing more desirable than passion for G-d and His teachings. Yet that passion must be directed towards making our world a “dwelling place for G-d.” BAMIDBAR BAMIDBAR Parsha Bamidbar – Learning and Yearning The Torah was given in a desert. It is a place where we thirst for much more than what we have. The desert dynamic of Torah reminds us to pay attention to our soul’s’ cry, “when will I enter the Promised Land where my soul’s thirst for G-dliness will be satisfied.“ BAMIDBAR BAMIDBAR Parsha Bamidbar – No Exchanges The bond between G-d and the Jewish people is innate and immutable. Torah, G-d’s wisdom, is the medium which illuminates and activates their relationship. BAMIDBAR BAMIDBAR Parsha Bamidbar – Please, Force Me! Education is the art of revealing something ostensibly new but was always a part of the student’s consciousness. The revelation at Sinai “merely” revealed our innate connection to G-d and His teachings that was instilled in us by our Patriarchs and Matriarchs. BAMIDBAR BAMIDBAR Parsha Bamidbar – The Census Triumvirate The Torah connects us to G-d and to each other in at least three ways. It is G-d’s communication with the Jewish people and our communication with Him. Torah also empowers us to find and cultivate our own individual niche. BAMIDBAR BAMIDBAR Parsha Bamidbar – The Cover Up To see the good in everyone one must first see the person as part of a whole healthy and vibrant organism: the Jewish nation. One must also be involved in and dedicated to helping overcome that individual’s weaknesses. BAMIDBAR BAMIDBAR Parsha Bamidbar – The Modern Day Levites The Jewish people have weathered all types of storms. Besides history’s worst physical threat to our existence, the Holocaust, Jews have been subjected to two existential challenges. The first is the challenge of secularism. The second, no less daunting, is the challenge to forge ahead towards the F Parsha Bamidbar – Transcendent Space While we inhabit the world of time and space, we can transcend it, when we take refuge in the Tent of Meeting—houses of Worship and Torah study. BAMIDBAR BAMIDBAR Parsha Bamidbar – United Nation The Rebbe emphasized that our focus on unity should shift from repairing the past disunity to being prepared for the ultimate unity of the future. BAMIDBAR BAMIDBAR Parsha Bamidbar – When Counting Really Counts Love is strongest when it is tested. Love is tested when we are most vulnerable, down in the dumps and distracted. G-d demonstrated His love for us precisely in these situations. BAMIDBAR BAMIDBAR