VOLUME 121 NUMBER 1
Iyar 28, 5786
May 15, 2026
Parshas Bamidbar
Candlelighting Time 7:50
We live in a world of variance. Today’s Klal Yisroel consists of so many dissimilarities of customs, mode of dress, expressions, even differences in halacha. Perhaps one might think that we have fragmented and lost our common bond. One might even feel uncomfortable in a shul where although everyone is davening yet the diverse texts that we encounter and often not familiar with possibly create a bewilderment and lack of cohesiveness with the congregation that we find ourselves to be in. Have we indeed forfeited a unified approach to serving Hashem and do we need to find middle ground that we can reunite a shattered nation.
Rav Moshe Sternbuch the leading halachic posek in Israel, discusses this issue. The verse states in this parsha that the nation camped around the Aron, which contained the two tablets Moshe had brought from Hashem. Each tribe had its own flag designating its special eminence in the camp. Each tribe had its own supreme Rabbinical court which decided for that particular tribe all of their halachic queries. And it would be understood that the respective Rabbinical courts might disagree on perhaps some very important issues. Nonetheless that was acceptable because each tribe was a quasi-nation unto itself. Yet they were unified because they all rallied around the Aron. Torah was the central dominating factor of the nation and everyone identified themselves within that context. Therefore, not only wasn’t there dissension but on the contrary there was tolerance and acceptance amongst the entire nation.
The Talmud mentions that in the future there will be a large circular gathering of all the Tzadikim, the righteous people in the nation. As they convene in this circular setting they will be greeted by the Divine Presence and they will point to the middle of the circle stating that this is the Shechinah that they have longed to meet. Of course, the obvious question is why are they seated in a circular fashion and also was there a need to point to the Shechina in their midst? Maharal explains that even though we may see many competing strains of how to serve Hashem since they are all intending to commit and dedicate themselves to Hashem within the context of the Torah, they are all equal. The many approaches to serving Hashem which are supported by esteemed and recognized leaders of our nation are acceptable and each has their valid protocol. They point to Hashem and state “This is Hashem that we have waited for.’ The numerical equivalent of the letters of ‘this’ in Hebrew which is the word ‘zeh’ has a numerical value of 12, alluding to the twelve tribes that populated the nation in the desert and subsequently when entering Eretz Yisroel. They operated each within their own designated parameters and collectively formed a cohesive and integrated nation with the singular intent to promote serving Hashem in the most enduring and constructive manner possible.
Our Sages teach us that the ultimate success of the nation when we received the Torah was our unified approach. Torah was given to a people that ultimately gather under one flag, the desire to serve Hashem properly and appropriately.
A BYTE FOR SHABBOS
Torah is compared to fire because it illuminates our path in life and instructs us to lead our lives within the context of Hashem’s direction. K’SAV SOFER
GOOD SHABBOS
