Shabbat Shalom!

Our Torah portion this shabbat is called Beha'alotecha, and our reading (2nd of the triennial years) includes Numbers 9:15 - 10:34

In the reading, we have a few basic sections. First, we read that once the Mishkan (= tabernacle, portable sanctuary used in desert travels until a permanent Temple is built by King Solomon) was set up, a cloud came to cover the tent completely, which was "like the appearance of fire" during the night hours. Whenever the cloud lifted and moved, that was the Israelites signal to move, following God's 
direction. This, says the text, amounts to "observing God's observances." According to this text, our ancestors actually DID follow God's instructions, fully and carefully - at least in regards this basic activity (but there are plenty of texts showing how we disobeyed God time and again. Fulfilling God's desires - not so much).

Then we see how Moses is instructed by God to create two trumpets of tempered silver, which were used to let the people know when to move, and in which order. They were used to call together the elders (board meeting?), to signal an attack (intruder alert, ADT), to accompany sacrifices on special occasions, and so forth. There are at least two different "sounds"/manners of blowing the trumpets (tekiyah and terua'ah), and the two trumpets were apparently tuned to different notes, so that the people who heard them could distinguish whether only one of them was being blown, or whether both were sounded  simultaneously. The trumpets (not shofars) are thus being used to convey bits of information to the people; but they also were to be for the people as a remembrance (reminder?) before God (either that they should remember God, or that God should remember them and look kindly on or protect them).

Finally, the Torah tells us the date on which the cloud first lifted and the people travelled: the 20th day of the second month in the second year after leaving Egypt. That works out to the 20th of Iyar (we observe Lag B'Omer as a day of happiness and celebration on the 18th of Iyar each year, for reasons seemingly unconnected to this ancient important date). Owing to the unclear nature of when the omer counting actually begins ("on the morrow of the Shabbat"), there is a good likelihood that Lag B'omer originated as a remembrance of the date the Israelites first followed God's laws to the letter!

Then we read about each tribal "camp" that marched under its flag, led by its tribal leader.

Finally, we read once again, about Moses' entreaty to his father-in-law to remain with the Israelites as they let Sinai, so he could be their desert guide, and so that "God could look upon him with favor, and bless him on account of the Israelites."

I some ways, our readings are all about the people's obedience to God. But in other, crucial ways, we see how the people are meant to learn to govern and organize themselves, sowing the seeds of independence that will enable them to live without the direct intervention of (first) God, then (later) Moses.

Seems like they were learning something we could still stand to study in our day.

Shabbat Shalom
hope to see you in shul!

R' David Bockman