We have just studied Sefer Va-Yikra (the Book of Leviticus) whose ten Portions centered on God’s commandments (through Moses) to the children of Israel and their priestly leaders. The children of Israel have been camped at the base of Mount Sinai, but are now about to set out on their demanding journey to the land which God has promised them.
This week’s Torah Portion, Be-Midbar, is the first Portion of Sefer Be-Midbar known in English as the Book of Numbers. The Portion, Be-Midbar mainly describes God’s commandments to Moses and Aaron to count the males, 20 years of age and older, in each of the tribal groups representing the descendants of Jacob’s twelve sons. “Counting” and “numbers” are commentary themes which come quickly to mind.
Counting and numbers figure prominently in our daily experiences and give rise to such expressions as: “count in,” “count out,” “count on,” “count for,” “count as,” “count down,” “head count,” “down for the count,” and “count your blessings.”
“Number one,” “wrong number,” “lucky number,” “number’s up,” “pick a number,” “do a number on,” “got your number,” and “paint by numbers” are also frequently heard.
Anyone of these expressions could serve as the starting point for commentary on Be-Midbar. You’re welcome to use them in crafting your own personal interpretation of this Portion.
However, in my case, two recent experiences led me to consider the Hebrew name of the Portion and of the fourth Book of Torah – Be-Midbar , “in the wilderness.”
First, a few days ago, I attended an Eagle Scout Court of Honor – a ceremony held to recognize those who have achieved scouting’s highest rank, Eagle Scout. As part of the ceremony, Scout leaders from the community and the new Eagle Scouts, themselves, shared “Scouting Remembrances,” recalling scouting activities which had been part of the journey from first grade Tiger Cub to twelfth grade Eagle Scout. Again and again there were references to wilderness experiences – hiking, camping, backpacking trips, mountain climbing, river rafting, and ocean snorkeling. The speakers emphasized how these challenging wilderness experiences had built character; had provided opportunities for Scouts to develop and demonstrate leadership, courage, endurance, responsibility, and concern for fellow Scouts.
A high point of the Court of Honor came when the Eagle Scouts were awarded medals signifying their accomplishment. The medals were inscribed with the Scout motto, “Be Prepared.”
In the days following the Court of Honor, I happened to be in the education office of our synagogue and picked up several brochures detailing a variety of Jewish summer camping programs. The brochures vividly described the camp settings – in forests, high in the mountains, near lakes and streams. In these wilderness settings, the brochures proclaimed, campers would “enhance leadership skills,” “build strong Jewish identity,” “live Jewish values” in “a community of living Judaism…”
For the children of Israel, for Scouts, and for Jewish campers, the wilderness, the Midbar, is a place to learn and grow, to gain strength, wisdom, and confidence as individuals and as members of a community.
In Sefer Va-Yikra, the children of Israel have received God’s commandments and laws which guide every aspect of their personal and communal lives.
In the Portion Be-Midbar, God assembles and organizes the vast numbers of the children of Israel. God assigns tasks related to the travelling Mishkan (tabernacle) to the tribe of Levi and places the other tribes in specific protective locations around the Mishkan.
As they leave Mount Sinai for their challenging journey through the wilderness, the Torah teaches us that God wants the children of Israel to “Be Prepared.”
God does not ask the children of Israel to recite an oath before their journey. Their actions will reveal their commitment to God’s commandments. But if there were such a statement of dedication, it might resemble the Scout Oath:
“On my honor, I will do my best, to do my duty to God and my country, to help other people at all times, to keep myself physically fit, mentally awake, and morally straight.”
For us, as for our ancestors the children of Israel, there will always be journeys. There will always be wilderness to cross. And as for God’s guidance and protection on our way to the Promised Land – we can count on it!
Shabbat Shalom – Rest and Renew
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