Miryam's Space

Getting lost alone can be terrifying, but together, what an adventure it can be! Our parashah and new book of Torah is Bamidbar meaning “in the wilderness”; And almost as soon as arrive we get lost, wandering in a wilderness in space and time. A large roaming community – how does that work? How can we create order in the wilderness? How meet everyone’s needs? How protect children in this mobile community? And how can we protect our values: truth, justice and peace? Three things that the whole world rests on, (Pirke avot 1:18)

 To answer I’ve found one take-away each from Chapters 1,2, and 3 of Numbers:

Chapter one: “Lift up the heads  of the children of Israel by family and house and mispar shemot “count the names” Raphael Sforno, Italian Renaissance, commentator explains it means each name has a story: at that time, the names of the each reflected their specific individuality, virtues. 

So first to create order, to lift up the individual, locate them within a family/tribe, Just as in time we are Counting days of the omer – each day precious, each seed of barley reaching toward the sky.

Chapter 2 is organizing tribes by space

Eastward, facing the rising sun is Judah, Zevulun and Issachar,

Westward, facing the setting sun is the tribe of Ephraim, Menasheh and Benyamin

Facing the North wind is Napthali, Dan and Asher

Facing the Southern sun: Gad, Reuben and Simeon

We know where we belong, within our family and in relation to one another, the sun, earth and wind

And in Chapter three: Levites, who guard and serve the Israelites by caring for the innermost mishkan, a beautiful space to hold the laws and let G!d’s presence enter and dwell among our community: heart, truth, and inspiration!

Surrounded and supported by community, against the unpredictability of the world. This geometric arrangement reminds me of the Angel’s blessing we say at bedtime:

B’shem Hashem Elohai Yisrael

M’mini Michael – (on our right Michael, angel who is like G!d)

M’smoli Gavriel – (on our left Gavriel, angel of Strength)

Um’lfanai Uriel – (in front of us Uriel, angel of Light

Um’achorai R’fael – (behind us R’fael, angel of Healing)

Val roshi v’al roshi Schinat El – (Above us G!d’s feminine facet: Shechinah)

Here are three lovely versions: Carlebach; Elana Brody, and Debbie Friedman

It was then I realized the meaning in my own life: community of friends around me, helping me through wilderness are actually Angels, each one unique! Together we’ve been counting the days of the omer, each day focusing on embodying middot: falling in love,  flexing our courage, practicing gratitude, endurance, listening for harmony, feeling connected, and knowing we are surrounded by majesty.  We can all meet at Sinai now, ready to looking anew at our one another with eyes and hearts open.  We’re almost ready for TORAH! (also blintzes and cheesecake!) May peace reign. Chag Shavuot Sameach!