Two Minute Torah Podcast

Bamidbar 5769 by Rabbi Aaron Alexander

The journey begins. The burning question, though, is which journey? In the Torah’s sequence the arduous 40-year expedition through the desert towards the promised-land springs forth.

For you and I, however, we find ourselves ensconced in a journey the Israelites already experienced… a path towards the giving and receiving of Torah. Shavuot, our next chag, or festival, the Holy Day the rabbis attached to the theophany on Sinai, is around the corner and our parashah, Bamidbar, serves as a signpost to help us prepare for that moment.

Our rabbis teach us that Torah is received in the midst of three naturally occurring spaces: Fire. Water. and Desert. But what does each tell us as we move towards our own personal and communal moment of Torah?

Fire/Aish – Our unexpected moments of God – like Moshe’s experience at the burning bush. If you stay aware, and open, that which you pass by everyday can take you by surprise and reveal a deep truth often unnoticed.

Water/Mayim – Apparent, powerful moments of revelation and Torah – like all of Israel’s crossing through the waters of the Red Sea towards freedom. At times – in today’s shaky world they seem rare – yet know that when they occur, we must embrace them and build from them.

Desert/Bamidbar – The miraculous moments that we must create to ensure that our lives remain deeply engrossed in Torah and tradition. Like the Israelites, who built for themselves, inspired by God, the Ohel Mo’ed, the traveling sanctuary bursting with holiness.

So I ask you – as you tread through your desert, your Bamidbar, hungrily towards Torah – how will you partner with God to create and recreate your holy spaces, as Shavuot approaches? How will you harness your fire and water moments, to elevate your Bamidbar experience? How will you, receive your Torah?

Shabbat Shalom