Parashat Bamidmar

Bamidbar describes the Israelites during their “in-between” phase. Far from slavery in Egypt and far from the Promised Land, they find themselves “ba-midbar,” in the wilderness. No longer slaves, they must create a new identity for themselves as a nation. The parashah describes, in detail, the process of taking a census to ensure that each tribe counts and is allocated the appropriate space around the mishkan.

It is amid the uncertainty of the desert wilderness that the Israelites will ultimately receive the Torah (which we will celebrate next week during Shavuot). The midrash explains this connection: “They camped in the wilderness: Torah was given publicly and freely, in a place belonging to no one, and all who want to receive and accept it can come and do so.” Rabbi Jonathan Sacks explains that the wilderness is a liminal space, between a starting point and a destination, in which we crave direction, which the Torah provides. In another teaching, the rabbis say to allow yourself to be treated “like the wilderness.” Perhaps they are encouraging us to allow ourselves to live in uncertainty, without knowing our exact destination.

What does this mean for us today? During these uncertain times, this question feels even more relevant. Of course we crave direction, maybe now more than ever. Taking the rabbis’ advice and treating ourselves “like the wilderness” can give us permission to embrace the journey through the unknown, be open to new possibilities, and direct ourselves to a new way forward. I wish those seniors — and all of our students — a wonderful, safe journey, through whatever wilderness they encounter.

Shabbat Shalom.