Parashat Behaalotcha 5785

by Rabbi Margie Cella

In this parashah we read how the people set out from Sinai, led by the ark, which went before them searching for a resting place. A cloud covered the Tabernacle, and when it moved from there it signaled to the nation that it was time to move on to a new destination, stopping only when the cloud stopped.

We re-enact this scenario every time we have to begin a service that includes a Torah reading. The words of verse 10:35 are familiar to us all: vayehi binsoah h-aron vayomer Moshe Kumah Adoshem v’yafutzu oyvecha v’yanusu misanecha mepanecha. (and it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, Lord, and let your enemies be scattered; and let them who hate you flee before you). And we close with the words of the following verse: uv’nucho yomar shuvah Adoshem rivavot alfey Yisrael. (And when it rested, he said, Return, O Lord, to the many thousands of Israel.)

But you may be wondering how it could be that the ark went before the people leading the way, when we clearly learned last week that it traveled in the center of the camp. The explanation given by the rabbis is that there were actually two arks. The protected one in the middle of the camp contained the sacred tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing the Torah of God that guides our lives. But the ark at the front that led the people on their journey contained the broken fragments of the first set of tablets. These remind us that though the Torah demands that we strive for perfection, we ourselves are imperfect, always a work in progress. And we are on this journey together, supporting and strengthening one another.

Am Yisrael Chai! All people of Israel Live!