When you Choose Shabbat, you choose to learn that every Shabbat is different and special. Last week I learned about Parashat Bamidbar (בַּמִּדְבָּר), the 34th weekly Torah portion in the annual cycle of Torah readings.
According to Wikipedia, Bamidbar (בַּמִּדְבָּר), Numbers 1:1 to 4:20, contains 7,393 Hebrew letters, 1,823 words, 159 verses and makes up 263 lines of the Torah scroll. Bamidbar is an accountant’s delight, containing a detailed census of all 603,550 Israelite men age 20 years and older, broken down by headcount as well as affiliation with each of the twelve Tribes of Israel.
Rabbi Michael D Klein of Temple Torat Emet offers his insights on this week’s Torah reading, Bamidbar:
“What does a good commanding officer do before going into battle? If you are Moses, you count and organize your troops and then you ask for G-d’s guidance. Where did Moses learn this method? He followed the teachings of his ancestors. Abraham, when he went to war to rescue his nephew Lot, did exactly as G-d instructed him and won such a decisive victory that the Kings of Sodom and Amora begged for peace. Jacob, knew that there might be the possibility of war if his brother Esau decided to seek revenge for prior events, so he divided his camp into 2 segments, prayed to G-d, and armed himself for this possibility.
Moses, as a prophet, knew that during the journey to Israel, we would face challenges, including going to war. As a good leader, he learned from history how to prepare. Even General Patton, who was a student of historical battles, prepared his troops using the techniques of ancient successful military campaigns.
We could all benefit by learning from Moses’ example in facing the trials of life. There are always challenges that we will face – the ups and downs of life – we must gird our loins for battle by preparing ourselves with all the tools we have accumulated in our arsenal. Hopefully, our toolbox contains much wisdom from the Torah that we can use to make our lives run more smoothly whenever life throws roadblocks or obstacles in front of us.
Hopefully we also carry our faith in G-d and the goodness, faith, and love that life’s potential holds for us to fortify us in facing all that occurs in our future.
Questions to Ponder:
- What was the difference between the counting of members of Israel and the members of the Tribe of Levi?
- Why is the narrative of the desert so important in the relationship of Israel to G-d?
- Why are 2 Hebrew words used to describe each tribe? (Shevet, and Mateh)
- Which tribes’ flag contained all the colors of all the other tribes? Why?“
Rabbi Michael D. Klein attended Yeshiva College of South Florida and served as Torah Reader, Hebrew teacher, Chazzan and spiritual leader of various synagogues throughout South Florida. In January 2015 he became Ritual Director, Bnai/Bnot Mitzvah instructor and 7th grade Hebrew instructor for Temple Torat Emet of Boynton Beach. In October 2019 he was accepted into an accelerated track and received his shicha from Yeshiva Adath Wolkowisk and has been the Rabbinic leadership of Temple Torat Emet since August 2020. In September of 2022 he was appointed Rabbinic and Spiritual Advisor of the Florida Region of FJMC.
Choose Shabbat; choose to celebrate, to light candles, sing songs and learn a little Torah.
This moment of Jewish Learning is brought to you by the Florida Region of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (FJMC). We are part of a confederation of over 200 Jewish Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods representing over 20,000 members across the United States, Canada, Latin America, and beyond. Learn more about how your Jewish Men’s Club or Brotherhood can affiliate with the FJMC at: https://www.fjmc.org/content/affiliating-fjmc.
The Florida Region of FJMC serves the needs of affiliated Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods throughout the State of Florida. Get to know more about the FJMC Florida Region and our growing network of Jewish Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods at www.floridaregionfjmc.org and please visit and LIKE our Florida Region FJMC Facebook Group at www.facebook.com/FloridaRegionFJMC.
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