Bamidbar Drash

Bamidbar in the desert

In this weeks Parashat we have the introduction of Bamidbar. It is the fifth word in this book of the Torah and means In the Desert. In all 3 sections of this weeks Parashat we have a setting of the Desert.

We begin the book of Bamidbar with Moshe Taking a census of Yisrael in the desert. Why the desert? Why not at the sea on the beach after freedom from captivity, why not at the foot of the mountain after the receiving of the Torah, why not at an oasis or on a road? I am not sure if any of you have experienced a true desert. It is often described as a rugged place very little water and little vegetation. It also has little shelter and places to hide. I think that is the point though. The desert is a place of brutal honesty. There is no sugar coating or excuses just like there is no water. There is no word games or obfuscating the truth just like there is no shelter. Everything is laid bare to see.

In Bamidbar Hashem does not just take a count of Yisrael, Yisrael takes an accounting of itself. It is the raw and unfiltered look at what Yisrael does even after experiencing what HaShem has done for them that reveals the failings and short comings, that if we are honest, exist in us all. We often times read in this book how Yisrael failed time and again to serve HaShem. We are reminded of the failure of the Kohanim to serve appropriately, Moshe’s failure with the rock, Benei Yisrael’s faithlessness even as they experience the continuing miracles of HaShem, and yet if we had been there we would have been worse. HaShem brought Yisrael to the desert to reveal to themselves who they truly are even as they experience who he truly is.

Then in Hosea we read that once again HaShem is bring his bride to the desert. We read in Hosea Chapter 2 a warning for Yisrael to correct themselves or as is said in verse 5 Or else I will strip her naked and expose her as on the day she was born. Then I will make her like a wilderness. Yes, I will make her like desert land, and I will let her die of thirst. The desert is also a place of cleansing. One cannot be in the desert and carry all their baggage. One is forced to remove those things that way them down. This is true physically, mentally and spiritually. HaShem does not bring his bride to the desert to be gone for ever but to remove those things that defile her.

Then in Matthew 4 we read about Yeshua’s Journey in to the desert. Like Benei Yisrael he was forced to confront who he really was. His human mortal self had temptations and was offered a place in the world according to Satan the enemy. A peace if you will. Yet he did not fall for that sweet poison of peace through subjugation and revealed his righteousness. As well there was a cleansing of his human and mortal self. Any attachments to this world he let go of. He did not provide for his own nourishment or safety, nor did her rely on the “power” of another to see him through. He put his entire self in to the hand of HaShem, his divine self, that he would serve him even unto death.

HaShem takes us in to the desert, because he loves us. He reveals to us truths about ourselves. While in the desert we disconnect from the things of this world that we may be able to connect with him. It is hard living in the desert and that is the point. It forces our reliance on a God that can seem so distant but is really right here with us now. In the desert there is no distraction or deception. Danger is every where even the air you breath pulls the moisture from your body unless you breath correctly. Consider that even your breathing must be done correctly.

We all will go through the desert at some point because HaShem will lead us there. We can either go reluctantly kicking and screaming like spoiled children or we can gird our loins find our strength and embrace the journey for on the other side we will reach the promised land of HaShem’s good grace and then, when we arrive we will surely know his mercy and grace because we know, that promised land is not ours and we do not deserve it. Yet in his goodness he brings us there, he brings us home.