In the Stillness of the Desert

Shabbat Bamidbar

In the Book of Numbers, we emerge from behind the veil of sacrifice and re-enter the Exodus journey. From the first steps out of Egypt, we find ourselves in a wilderness of our own choosing. For the Rabbis, the desert, the wilderness is actually a desirable place to be--very different than what the English words perhaps imply. In our parlance, the words conjure images of desolation and helplessness. In the Rabbis' view, however, the desert is a place where we can see more clearly, unencumbered by other distractions. The desert reflects freedom and uncluttered vision, allowing us to take stock of our lives and ourselves in an environment devoid of outside pressures.

There is much to be gained by a walk in the desert. By removing all distractions that prevent us from really seeing who we are, we can become more focused and driven. Even the midrash bears this out when it asks the pertinent question and offers an answer. “Why was the Torah given in the desert? Anyone who does not make himself ownerless, like the desert, cannot acquire the Torah." Making oneself “ownerless” does not speak as much to the idea of an individual being owned by another, but rather the manner in which one views himself.

An individual who is "full of him/herself" will have difficulty accepting and following the directives of virtually any outside authority figure. Being out in the desert powerfully contributes to an individual's sensibility that his or her existence is relatively insignificant when compared to the grandiose scale of Creation.

Historically, the desert has been a place that has attracted visionaries and groups of individuals who felt that the materialism and corruption of urban societies prevented them from communing with God and developing their spiritual capacities.

The Torah suggests that God orchestrated the Jews' going into the desert because, the atmosphere created in such desolate and lonely surroundings would be extremely conducive for the entire nation to abandon their Egyptian past and would inspire them to create the powerful relationship with the Creator of the Universe.

The Book of Numbers charts the 38 year course of the Jewish people from Bondage to Redemption. In the stillness of the desert, we can become whomever we choose. Torah directs us down the path towards choosing faith and relationship. As the pages of this next book in our journey opens before us, may we journey towards our goal, guided by the Holy One of Blessing.