Bamidbar on the Bar: Coming together then and now

This Shabbat we begin the reading from a new Chumash, BaMidbar, also know as the Book of Numbers. Well, it is not that new because it has been read from for millennia, but for us it is a new reading of this annual cycle. Among others, we read this week about the way the camp was arranged around Ohel Moed, the Tabernacle:

“Now the Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, ‘The sons of Israel shall camp, each by his own flag, with the banners of their fathers’ households; they shall camp around the tent of meeting at a distance.’[1]”

Sefer HaAgada, edited by Bialik and Ravnitski collected stories about the voyage of the Children of Israel in the wilderness, the Midbar, and explains, “his own flag, with the banners”.

So Sefer HaAgada goes to explain that, “there were signs for each leader, a map, which is the cloth of the flag, and the color of each flag. Each color of the cloth was the color of the gem that was placed on the breast piece that Aaron had over his heart. (The nations have learned from that to always have a colored cloth different for each flag). Each tribe had its own leader – each had its own colored flag.[2]” Sefer HaAgada now lists for each of the tribes the specific gem that was associated with it and the color of the cloth used for the flag, and in some cases a design. “Reuben has its colored in red with fruits. Simeon’s in green with Nablus. Levi being a third white, a third blak and a third red… Judah in the color of the sky and an image of a lion… Zebulun in white with an image of a ship… Gad not in black nor white but rather a mix of black and white and with an image of a camp…4” and so on and so forth. The passage concludes with the statement that “this is what was meant when the mentioned the banner as each of the leaders had a banner of his own. 4”

It is from here that we learn that within this effort to make a large group of men, women and children a cohesive nation, it was still possible to maintain some uniqueness on a tribal basis. Each tribe maintains its own signs, its historical memory and future aspirations; each tribe contributes its own value to the nation. Yet, together they also have a common center, the very center around which all of them are positioned. There is no expectation that all of them will be identical, there is no disappointment from the differences among them. There is an expectation that despite these differences that it will be possible for those different tribes to look into the center and find commonalities. Sitting at opposite sides of a square around Ohel Moed it may be difficult to see a tribe opposite and across. Still there needs to be the profound understanding that those who are on the far side have something common with us that is greater than each of us individually.

It is unfortunate that at this day and age, the politics of the day are manifested by the almost complete nullification of the opposite political side without willingness to aim at what is common and unites us. The problem is that the further we push the other side, the more vague and unclear the common center becomes. By not being willing to listen and debate with the other side we in fact reduce our ability to work through and strengthen our point of view. It is simply because it is most difficult to improve anything when the discussion is between people who never disagree with each other. It is with the debate, the discourse, the study that we get to better understand issues, many times finding surprising common grounds.

It is exactly that which we shall be doing four weeks from now, 17-18 June, gathered at the IMPJ 24th biennial, all under the common message “Hinenu” (הננו), here we are. Starting June 1 late registration begins and prices are going up by some 15%, so make sure you hurry up and register to the Veida as soon as practically possible. As part of the musical weekend “Hallelu” you will be able to enjoy the voices and performances of cantors, singers, Sephardi and Ashkenazti performers, Piyut workshops and much more. A performance by the popular Shai Zabari, a celebration of the 1,000 year birthday of Iban Gabirol, the songs of Meir Ariel, and melodies from around the world, will all inspire these two days. On Friday evening you will have the opportunity to meet with the IMPJ board and professional leadership on the at “On the Bar with the Board”. Not to speak of the inspiring Kabalat Shabbat, and the Havdalah which will charge your body, soul and spirit for a long period of time. I shall see you there.

Shabbat Shalom and wishes for Good Health.

Reuven Marko, 27 May 2022 | 27 Iyar, 5782

[1] Numbers, 2, 1-2 [2] Sefer HaAgada, edited by Bialk & Ravnitski, 3rd edition, 1st part, 5, chapter 9, 82