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By Rabbi Naftoly Bier
The Torah in this week’s portion details at great length the census of the Jewish people; how many were in each tribe. In the second chapter, the Torah commands how the Jewish people encamped around the משכן, Tabernacle. There were four divisions in each direction, comprising of three tribes.
There is extensive commentary on the significance of where each tribe was placed and the reason for these interrelationships between the three. Both in Chapter 1:46 and Chapter 2:32, the Torah tells us the sum total of the twelve tribes. Why the repetition? Why in Chapter 2 does the Torah find it necessary to once again report the population of each tribe- we know it already? Secondly, we can add the numbers of each camp ourselves; why does the Torah need to?
The Ramban teaches that משה רבינו and אהרן הכהן met every one of the 603,550 members; asking their name – a person’s name was divinely inspired as the instruction of what they have to accomplish – and blessing them. They were in effect demonstrating to every person their unique individuality as part of Klal Yisroel. First, each tribe was counted to inculcate in each member the special mission of their group. When the camps were assigned, a new dynamic was created, one where the three tribes were merged into a singular unit, thereby gaining a new purpose.
This is a profound lesson. In order for a person to truly actualize their potential, one is required to comprehend their purpose; what they have to accomplish for the greater good of all. This idea is at the same time both ennobling and creates a dynamic where one can be successful.
When a person is sincerely aware of their purpose and relentlessly devotes oneself to its fruition; it in effect creates self-control in a person. We are all created with innate positive traits and traits that we have to develop for the good of all. This is one of the most difficult exercises of life. It is almost impossible to succeed unless one has control of one’s everyday living experience. When one embarks on a life journey of complete awareness and dedication, one has the tools to transpose. On the first night of Pesach, when we try to ascend into a world of spirituality, the “exercise” is called סדר, order. For one must be completely focused, methodically taking step by step to reach the goal.
Success demands order… timeliness, sequence, tidiness, and organization. Timeliness is the fundamental entity that is the manifestation of one’s complete dedication to not only one’s aspirations, but to society as a whole. By obligating oneself to judiciously and timely use the talents benefacted by Hashem, one in turn will respect another’s time. Moreso, the responsibility engendered by a sense of timeliness creates an overview of how one’s actions affect another’s “precious time”.
Tidiness: if one is to develop a constant sensitivity to one’s mission and environment, then it would be an oxymoron if one didn’t treat everything with respect. The Alter of Kelm זצ“ל once lambasted his pupils for placing his chair two inches away from its proper place! While it seems so insignificant to us, to him it was a major flaw of one of life’s fundamentals.
Sequence: in life one has to proceed one step at a time, never straining oneself to achieve a level in its improper time. The Torah prohibits a Levite to take the chore of another Levite different than his appointed task with the punishment of death. Why? For every person has to abide by their given task! Very often, dissension and divisiveness are caused by people involving themselves in the domain of others. Everything has its proper time and place
Organization: Rav Chaim Shmulevitz, זצ“ל whose dedication to Torah study was legendary, was once observed how he ate a large radish. He initially cut the radish into many small pieces, poured salt on it, and then placed a plate above the plate of radish pieces and shook it. Yes, he could have just bitten out of the radish piece by piece, but that’s a detriment to being in perfect control of one’s daily living.
As we prepare for מתן תורה, the celebration of receiving the Torah, we remember the Torah’s admonition to the Jewish people. In פ‘ יתרו יט:יב , it states “And you shall make a boundary…” Moshe Rabeinu, Aharon HaKohen, the כהנים , priests, and the Jewish people all had to stay in their specific place, to receive the Torah one has to know their “place” in life. Orderliness!
