Bamidbar: The Book of Numbers*
The fourth of the five books of the Torah, Bamidbar (“wilderness”), is a book about history and law. It’s the book we read in synagogue this week. The Israelites set out wandering in the desert’s wilderness soon after they are freed from Egypt and the book concludes when we are at the edge of the entrance to the Holy Land, a period of some 38 years.
The events are not only described, they are interpreted, as we are reminded that God watches over us during the vicissitudes of our journey. We also learn the stiff price paid for rebellion.
As we study the laws of the Sanctuary (the portable holy tabernacle and dwelling place of God’s earthly presence), laws of purity, as well as how to behave civilly, it’s worth remembering all of this was written with the goal of fulfilling the role of the Jewish people being an “Or Lagoyim” — a light unto the nations.
Enjoy your journey through the wilderness.
— Rabbi David Woznica