In between checking the
latest updates and grim news from Israel online, I reviewed this week’s Parsha.
There are three topics that are discussed in Parshat Bamidbar that are worthy
of our attention and consideration as they can shed light on what we should be
doing now for Israel.
The Parsha begins with the command to count each of the
Jewish People. Counting people is often viewed as a group exercise- ie we count
people to know how large the group is in total. However, counting is also an
exercise in personal identification. You agree to be counted as part of a group
because you identify with that group, you want to be a part of that group. It
is important at this moment to do what we can to be counted as those who care
for Medinat Yisrael and her citizens. As Jews we want to be counted among those
who care what is happening to our fellow Jews, especially those in Israel. We
want to be counted among those who share in their pain and pray for their
safety.
The Parsha then discusses the organization of the tribes
when they would travel and camp in the Desert. At the center of the camp at all
times was the Mishkan- the location where God’s Presence was experienced most
strongly. Just as the Mishkan was the focal point of the Machaneh, so too The
Land of Israel has always been the focal point of the Jewish People- with a
renewed vigor and application since the founding of the modern state in 1948.
We pay close attention to what is happening in Israel- just as we turn our
bodies towards Israel when we daven. The centrality of Israel to our Jewish
identity must find expression, especially during these trying times.
The end of the Parsha talks about the special role of the
Kehat family, one of the families of Leviim. All Leviim were tasked with
transporting the vessels of the Mishkan. However the Kehat family’s role was
unique. Whereas the other Leviim would transport their parts of the Mishkan in
wagons pulled by oxen, the Kehat family members would carry the vessels of the
Mishkan on their shoulders. The Kehat family is singled out for praise because
of the effort they made in literally shouldering a national burden. In times of
distress we must all look for the ways that we can help shoulder the burden
that exists due to the current situation in Israel. It starts with showing up-
for a tehillim gathering like this, but also to other events that are in the
planning stages to show our support and solidarity for Israel. Shouldering the
burden can mean reaching out to our elected officials to ensure that they
remain committed to Israel’s safety- in both words and action. Shouldering this
burden may mean reaching out to some of our friends and family in Israel, to
let them know that we are thinking of them- or contributing to a charity that
is helping Israeli citizens at this difficult time.
Let us do what we can now to be counted among those who
identify with our brethren, to put Israel at the center of our priorities, and
to shoulder the burden. Let our efforts transform us for the better and may
Hashem in turn transform the current matzav (situation) into a matzav of
Shalom, of peace.
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