A thought on Parshas Bamidbar

"...ish al diglo b'osos l'bais avosam..."

"...each person along his designated banner by his family place..." (2:2)

 

The Torah describes the Camp of Israel in the desert, structuring the order in which the nation traveled and rested. There was a complex formation, at times referencing the location of each tribe relative to the other factions, at times relative to a tribe's task within the Camp, and at times relative to the genealogy or family affiliation of a tribe. That is a lot of reference points for planning the structure of the tribes.

 

The Ralbag explains that each positioning of a tribe, with its own nuance, is a means of showing people that there are many ways to define importance. There are those whose role is signified by the importance of the work they undertake. They take on importance by virtue of the fact that they do something which is important. There are others whose role is dignified by their identity, what they represent to others. There are still others who in fact have attained some level of superior achievement, or who show such promise, and who deserve recognition and encouragment.

 

The Ralbag adds that the Torah teaches us here that for some, importance may be an intrinsic quality; for others it is relative to some other factor. People can have stature because of what they do, who they are, or who they have become. It is important to give over this message as a means of minimizing strife, competitive conflict and chaos within the social order.

 

Each person has his or her place within the Camp of Israel, as seen through their proximity   to the locus of sacred events, through their maintaining the ways of their ancestors, or by virtue of how they lead their lives and utilize their gifts. Each of us can stand aside our own raised banner, can situate ourselves close to the places where we are needed, and can be emblems of the values and practices of our timeless nation.

 

Good Shabbos and wishing you a joyous Matan Torah. D Fox