Close To Torah

There are times when it’s easy to do the Mitzvos, and there are times when it’s harder. We often become lax in our observance at such intervals. Taking lesson from the word Bamidbar, we find inspiration to maintain our level of performance even when the going gets tough.

This week we begin the book of Numbers, Sefer Bamidbar. The first Parsha is, interestingly enough, named Bamidbar as well. I’d like to share an original thought that came to mind a couple of years back.

The ‘Gematria’ – or numerical value – of the word Bamidbar is 248. The meaning of the word itself is, ‘in the desert’. These two facts I believe, are alluding to something special.

The 613 Mitzvos, known as ‘Taryag’, are broken down into two groups. The 365 ‘Lo Saseh’ – negative commandments – i.e. a command to refrain from doing a deed (passive), as well as the 248 ‘Aseh’ – positive commandments – i.e. a command to fulfill a Mitzvah (active).

Thus, the message of ‘Bamidbar – in the desert’, is that no matter where one finds themselves, they must always fulfill not only the 365 ‘passive’ Mitzvos, but even the 248 ‘active’ Mitzvos which require that which is stated in the ‘Shema’ prayer, “With all your heart, with all your soul and with all your resources.”

In life there are times when it easy to fulfill that which we are commanded of and to do so with alacrity and desire, however, when the going gets tough, we tend to find ways to cut corners. Hence, the lesson of this week’s Parsha is clear: Even in the ‘desert’ we must give it our all.

Our Sages have taught us that we receive more reward for Mitzvos that are done with pain. The reward is measured by our efforts not only by our actions. So next time we find ourselves in a situation that is tough and perhaps inhibits our performance of the Mitzvos at an optimal level, let’s think of the word Bamidbar and we’ll remember that the setting should have no bearing on our effort.

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Parshas Bamidbar

שאו את ראש כל עדת בני ישראל… (א:ב).

“Count all of the Jews…” (1:2).

Chazal (Bamidbar Rabbah 2:11) tell us that there are ten times in Jewish history that the Jews were counted. The first was when Yaakov and his family went down to Egypt with seventy people. The last counting will take place at the time of Moshiach. The Ramban states that there was a specific purpose and reason for each census. One was for the appointment of a new leader and one followed a large calamity, etc. However, he asks, in this instance, he cannot understand for what purpose Hashem desired a counting?! I would like to share and develop his most enlightening answer with you.

At this point in Jewish history, the Jews were finally free from Egypt, they were given the Torah and were on their way to Eretz Yisrael. Everything was great! The reason that Hashem counted them now was precisely for the purpose of showing them and letting them know their own number. This would help them appreciate all of the great kindness and love which Hashem had bestowed upon them in building them up from a small group of seventy meager people to a grand established nation of six hundred thousand able-bodied men! He wanted them to be moved to recognize Him by contemplating their present large population, which Hashem had developed and built!

Indeed, this is a powerful lesson for life. When we take a step back and take in all of the good that Hashem has provided us with, we are left inspired and recharged!

Chazal tell us that the באר, wellspring, that supplied water in the desert, came in the merit of Miriam. Chazal also tell us that this spring traveled with them and created an intricate water system that delivered water to every single tent individually. In what merit did Miriam bring this life giving arrangement, and why did it come to every door, could they not have went to a central place to receive it? Chazal (Bamidbar Rabbah 1:2) tell us that she earned this tool as a reward for leading the women in song at the time of the miracle of the splitting of the Yam Suf. She wanted to insure that every single person from Klal Yisrael expressed gratitude to Hashem. Thus, Hashem correspondingly granted her water that would allow every Jew to thank Hashem at all times once again!

The Woman of Valor is described as “her mouth opens with wisdom; the teachings of kindness are on her tongue” (Mishley 31:26). The Ralbag provides a beautiful insight in translating this verse. This special and spiritually sensitive woman builds her home on two foundations. Firstly, wisdom and secondly, kindness. Wisdom means the unrelenting dedication to following Hashem’s Torah. Kindness means that she teaches her children to see and recognize all of the kindness that Hashem bestows upon them. She lives her life to thank Hashem. Rav Shlomo Wolbe says that these precise ingredients insure a home’s success. When we create an atmosphere of the love of Torah and appreciation for all of Hashem’s gifts, we will have beauty and success in our home.

Indeed, this is the important lesson of why Hashem counted the Jews then. He set them up in a precise encampment arrangement and now He wanted them to recognize how much he did for them. Let us see all that Hashem does for us and let our hearts and mouths sing His praise!

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Hashkafah, Machshuvah, Parshas Bamidbar Ahavas Hashem, Chessed, Jewish Education, Wisdom