Dear Friends,
The fourth Book of the Torah is called, in English, “Numbers.” However, in Hebrew it is called, “Bamidbar,” which means “In the wilderness,” or “In the desert.”
Each Book of Torah, and each weekly Torah portion, is named for the first key word in the respective Book or the portion. “Numbers” relates to the census which occurs later in the Book, but the book opens with the Israelites “in the wilderness.” (Numbers 1:1)
Essentially, commencing with our being in the desert, the Book of Numbers recalls the trek which our forebears undertook as they journeyed for forty years. It describes the many encampments, the battles, the encounters and episodes which we experienced during those forty years. And, most significantly, the Book of Numbers concludes with the Israelites on the doorstep of the Promised Land. They are just across the Jordan River, where Moses delivers his final orations and then turns to walk into the hills to his death.
Yet, the Israelites will walk the other way, following their new leader, Moses’ lieutenant, Joshua, as they depart the desert and enter the Land of Canaan, presently, the Land of Israel.
What is remarkable about the Book of Numbers, or Bamidbar, is that what commenced in wilderness, concludes in the fertile, hospitable, promised land of Israel. WE got out of the desert!
Today, however, not every story follows such a path. Yes, American sitcoms and romcoms begin with difficulty and end with joy. But, those are Hollywood creations. Real stories – our stories – often include time in the desert, and aspirations towards the place of promise. Yet, for many, we don’t reach the other side.
Life is fraught with hiccups, bumps in the road, and disappointments. Not all dreams or promises are realized. Perhaps, most are dropped or jettisoned along the way.
However, the wise ones – of which I pray we are counted – will find that turns in the road may offer new opportunities and destinations. Sometimes, we might think, “Ugghh,” how could this be where my life takes me? Yet, after time, or closer looks, we find gems and jewels and joys even in these other end points.
So many have said, so wisely, that the purpose of life is not the destination, but rather the journey.
Such is a lesson we take from being “in the wilderness.”
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
The fourth Book of the Torah is called, in English, “Numbers.” However, in Hebrew it is called, “Bamidbar,” which means “In the wilderness,” or “In the desert.”
Each Book of Torah, and each weekly Torah portion, is named for the first key word in the respective Book or the portion. “Numbers” relates to the census which occurs later in the Book, but the book opens with the Israelites “in the wilderness.” (Numbers 1:1)
Essentially, commencing with our being in the desert, the Book of Numbers recalls the trek which our forebears undertook as they journeyed for forty years. It describes the many encampments, the battles, the encounters and episodes which we experienced during those forty years. And, most significantly, the Book of Numbers concludes with the Israelites on the doorstep of the Promised Land. They are just across the Jordan River, where Moses delivers his final orations and then turns to walk into the hills to his death.
Yet, the Israelites will walk the other way, following their new leader, Moses’ lieutenant, Joshua, as they depart the desert and enter the Land of Canaan, presently, the Land of Israel.
What is remarkable about the Book of Numbers, or Bamidbar, is that what commenced in wilderness, concludes in the fertile, hospitable, promised land of Israel. WE got out of the desert!
Today, however, not every story follows such a path. Yes, American sitcoms and romcoms begin with difficulty and end with joy. But, those are Hollywood creations. Real stories – our stories – often include time in the desert, and aspirations towards the place of promise. Yet, for many, we don’t reach the other side.
Life is fraught with hiccups, bumps in the road, and disappointments. Not all dreams or promises are realized. Perhaps, most are dropped or jettisoned along the way.
However, the wise ones – of which I pray we are counted – will find that turns in the road may offer new opportunities and destinations. Sometimes, we might think, “Ugghh,” how could this be where my life takes me? Yet, after time, or closer looks, we find gems and jewels and joys even in these other end points.
So many have said, so wisely, that the purpose of life is not the destination, but rather the journey.
Such is a lesson we take from being “in the wilderness.”
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
