With G-d on our side, our mission is true

As we begin the fourth book of the Torah, we embark on a journey, along with the Israelites who are leaving Sinai after having been there for 11 months.

Not only does the focus of the Torah’s narrative switch — from being primarily law and instruction-oriented in Vayikra to advancing the narrative — but the style shifts in the opening chapters of Bamidbar. There is an air of excitement, of anticipation, of something wonderful emerging on the horizon.

And why not? For the nation of Israel, things have never been better! They’ve experienced the Exodus. Their most frightening enemies — Egypt and Amalek — are behind them. They’ve witnessed Revelation and received the Torah. They’ve made the worst mistake possible, and they’ve survived, thrived, and moved on. They’ve seen their leader, Moshe, emerge as not only a miracle worker, but as a compassionate powerhouse of strength, ready to lose everything for the sake of his people.

They’ve built a Mishkan and learned how it functions. They’ve seen Aharon emerge as a competent Kohen Gadol who not only embraced his role with humility and pride, but who has taught them a valuable lesson about how to face suffering and how to sacrifice for the benefit of the greater good. The deaths of Nadav and Avihu (also recorded in our parsha 3:4) were a national tragedy, from which the nation was still reeling, and yet through Aharon’s leadership, they saw they could move on.

Now, as they gather for a census, they view their strength in numbers and feel confident as they prepare to face enemies in the Land who will choose to fight rather than submit to G-d’s will that the children of Abraham reclaim their ancestral, G-d-given Land.

With all this hope and optimism, how long does it take before things turn and take the direction we all know is coming?

While we can’t rewrite history (some choose to, but it’s never a good practice), we can learn from it. And if this parsha is to serve as any kind of teaching tool — with its census, military preparations and travel arrangements, and the defined roles of the Levites being put in order — then it becomes our challenge to take the lessons to be learned from the experiences of our nation, and in particular to learn from mistakes.

We live in a post-Holocaust world, in a State-of-Israel and United-Jerusalem world. While our worst enemies (Romans, Crusaders, Cossacks, Nazis, etc.) are behind us, we still have enemies hell-bent on our annihilation. And yet we also have an army, like the imposing army in the wilderness, that will do everything in its power (with G-d’s help!) to protect our brothers and sisters in Israel and around the world.

We have Torah, more widespread, more readily accessible, more available to people than ever before. We don’t experience Revelation, but we do have the responsibility to view the Torah anew every day. And, thank G-d, between the many translated works that have been published, and the mountains of Torah lectures and information available on the Internet, anyone who can navigate through it all and come away with a tremendous repository of knowledge with which to enhance personal wisdom, understanding, discernment, and spiritual desires.

We have Torah leaders who are heroes in their commitment to teaching and sharing, who take stands for what they believe in, and who serve as inspirations to hundreds and thousands of our people in their holy work of being “marbitzei Torah” (those who spread the study of Torah to the four corners of the globe.) We build shuls and schools – all imperfect, but all aiming to provide a space where people can grow, learn and be inspired.

How do we respond to tragedy? Or to horrible mistakes? Do we throw others under the bus, pointing fingers and spreading blame? Or do we try to gather pieces and see where we can go from there? Do we work to turn failure into opportunity?

Perhaps most importantly, do we see and understand the strength that even our small number has? Do we believe with a full heart that G-d is on our side and that our mission is just, right, and true? Do we articulate our trust that the Almighty is watching and waiting for the right moment to bring about our Redemption? Do we view Him as the Compassionate Father in Heaven Who knows what is best for us?

If we can jump on the optimistic bandwagon and take the steps necessary to build on past successes and emerge stronger for disappointments, we will have made the best of the opportunities life sends our way.

If we miss it … well, then, we will have missed it. And wouldn’t that be a shame?