Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Beha'alotcha
Naso’s last pasuk tells how Moshe would enter the Tent and hear the voice emanating from between the cherubin above the aron (Bamidbar 7:89). In our parasha (ibid. 8:2), Aharon is instructed how to light the menora. We have discussed that light symbolizes Torah (see Mishlei 6:23). Thus, combining these p’sukim, we realize that the Mishkan was erected to enable the receipt of Hashem’s word, from above the aron. Korbanot, enumerated at length in Vayikra, are also brought to draw closer to Hashem, not to "provide for Him." The leadership in national efforts of service of Hashem, originally kohanim and levi’im, and eventually applying to those who are steeped in Torah study, need to always ask themselves: Am I spreading light? Am I connecting Am Yisrael to their Father in Heaven? Am I connecting Jews to each other (a condition for their ability to connect with Hashem’s Presence)?
The symbol of the Divine Presence’s dwelling in the Israelite encampment is the descent of the special cloud that existed in the desert by day and the fire by night. In our parasha, it says that from the time the Mishkan was erected, the cloud covered it (Bamidbar 9:15-16). This symbolized the closeness between Hashem and His nation.
We have mentioned that the count of the population in the beginning of our sefer is an integral part of the preparations for war, and it included the Tribe of Levi (see ibid. 3:15). Those who were counted and those who counted them traveled in our parasha (ibid. 10:11-28), led by the aron and its tablets (the basis of the Torah). The teachings that continued the giving of the Torah post-Sinai came from above the aron. The aron and those who carried it had an important function during war – the aron scattered the enemies and made them flee from the Israelites (ibid. 10:35-36).
This gives us a clear message that those who are connected to Torah are crucial for battle. They are to lead, which places a burden on their shoulders. Their leadership is through the light-emitting Torah, a Torah that brings love within the nation and appreciation for religion. They are not permitted to separate themselves from the community or use the Torah for personal gain. They are not exempt from the mitzva to help a Jew in danger, which is the obligation of all.
We need as many people as possible to draw others closer to Torah and mitzva observance. This requires many Torah leaders engaged with the masses and feeling the related obligation.
Torah study is not a reason to exempt one from service in the IDF. The more "carriers of the aron" that are in the IDF, the better. The leaders of the Charedi community must demand of the defense establishment to enable Charedi youth to do the mitzva of defending the nation and come out as they went in – as Charedim. The more sincere the demand, the more likely it will be answered properly. The light of Torah that will come from the enlisting Charedi soldiers will light up the world and increase national unity. In that way, they will continue the tradition of the soldiers of David and of Bar Kochva (students of Rabbi Akiva). Torah is light!!
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