In the wilderness of Sinai

(Numbers 1:1)

Rosh Chodesh Sivan, 5777/May 26, 2017

"HaShem spoke to Moshe in the wilderness of Sinai, in the Tent of Meeting on the first day of the second month, in the second year after the exodus from the land of Egypt... " (Numbers 1:1)

Thus begins the book of Numbers, the fourth of the 'Five Books of Moses,' which we read this Shabbat. We recall that last week we concluded the book of Leviticus with the words, "These are the commandments that HaShem commanded Moshe to the children of Israel on Mount Sinai." (Leviticus 27:34) The children of Israel haven't yet moved their encampment in the interim between the two verses. Mount Sinai and the wilderness of Sinai are one and the same. Only the perspective has changed. The period of Torah transmission has concluded and the physical journey to the promised land is about to commence. Moshe is commanded by G-d to take a census of the children of Israel, after which the twelve tribes are organized into four flanks, surrounding the Tabernacle to the east, the west, the south and the north, each flank comprising three tribal encampments. The Tabernacle, which dwells in the center of the Israelite encampments, is surrounded by the family encampments of the Levites, who are responsible for the assembly, disassembly and transport of the Tabernacle from destination to destination. The nation is ready to move toward its final destination of the land of Canaan, the land of Israel.

"G-d spoke to Moshe and Aharon saying: The children of Israel shall encamp each man by his division with the flag staffs of their fathers' house; some distance from the Tent of Meeting they shall encamp." (Numbers 2:1-2)

Now that the tribes have been placed side by side for the purpose of creating a human shield for the protection and dignity of the Tabernacle, they are instructed by G-d to each raise their own unique tribal banner. United in purpose, the twelve tribes of Israel nevertheless maintain their own distinct identities. Today, nations employ their national flags for the purpose of encouraging feelings of pride, of solidarity of purpose and identity, and to symbolize victory and permanence. No doubt the Israelite banners all served the same purposes, giving each tribal family a visible sign of their own uniqueness and unity, waving high above the wilderness floor, against the blue heavens above. But these twelve ensigns had a much deeper purpose, as well.

Midrash tells us that the unique color, or colors, used in each of the twelve distinct tribal banners were identical with the colors of the twelve tribal stones which were arrayed upon the breastplate of the Kohen Gadol (High Priest). Each one of these twelve stones rested upon the heart of the Kohen Gadol, and stood before him when he stood before G-d, performing the Divine service in the Tabernacle, later, the Holy Temple. Each of the twelve tribal banners, each symbolizing the unique identity of the tribe above which it waved as the tribes formed the outer perimeter of the Israelite encampment, was directly connected to and had its source at the innermost and most intimate point of contact and communication between G-d and Israel. Each of the twelve tribes together formed the prism through which Israel served G-d in His Sanctuary and through which G-d expressed His love for and eternal covenant with His children, the children of Israel.

Each unique tribe formed an instrinsic part of the heart of the nation of Israel, both at the furthermost extremity of the nation's borders and simultaneously, in the Holy of Holies of the nation's beating heart. When at last in the land of Israel, the twelve tribal encampments would enter their twelve tribal inheritances, and the traveling Tabernacle would, at long last, find its permanent home in Jerusalem, the beating heart of the nation of Israel, from the time of Avraham, who performed with his son Yitzchak, an offering on Mount Moriah at G-d's command, and Yitzchak's son Yaakov, who dreamed of a House of haShem in the very same place.

Today the tribal identities of the children of Israel are, to a large extent, blurred. But there nevertheless exists today many distinct communities within the body of Israel. Distinctions based on geographical origins, time honored customs and traditions, unique Torah perspectives and and philosophies, and even unique ways expressing and performing our common commitments and responsibilities to our G-d, our land and our people. Each distinct community raises its own distinct and identifying banner. Each distinct community united, makes up the heart of our nation.

-The Temple Institute