Parshat Bamidbar / Shavuot - Getting It Together
Last week we spoke about everything we learned at Mount Sinai. This week, we will read about the Israelite camp in the desert. Each tribe had its place, whether at the front or the back of the line, to the left or the right, with the Mishkan in the middle.
Wherever we go, we have to make sure that we remain focused on maintaining balance in our lives, not just as individuals, but as a nation. Our Rabbis (Avot 1:14) teach us that if we don't take care of ourselves, no one else will, but if we only take care of ourselves, then we are no good at all.
We and our entire nation receives the Torah together, we travel together and live together. We pray together and we look out for and support each other, and it is in that way that we can get together, stay together and keep it all together.
"Freedom without boundaries is just another form of slavery". We receive the Torah together and the Torah guides us to create healthy boundaries while also guiding us to create a world of freedom, peace, and prosperity for all people.
Questions for Discussion:
1. What special role do you have in your family? How do you use your position to help everyone else?
2. When you are doing something for yourself, how do you make sure that you aren't hurting anyone else - even by accident?
3. What is something that you love about being a Jew?
4. If you were going to give the Torah, what would you make sure was in it?
Let me know your answers by emailing rabbidavid@beby.org.
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Shavuot Samei'ach!