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“family,” and tribe in the encampment to reflect the importance
the Torah attaches to every component of the nation, as part of the
whole and as a distinct part.

This teaching is especially crucial in today’s highly mobile world
where people find it increasingly difficult both logistically and
emotionally to maintain close ties to their families and communities.
So many people feel cut off from their roots, from their societies and
from a set of common goals they share with others. Either consciously
or unconsciously, they perpetually search for a purpose greater
than themselves and their immediate needs and desires. Despite the
scientific and telecommunication revolutions that have created a
“global village,” more individuals than ever feel isolated, confused,
jaded, and dissatisfied with life.
umbersmbersmbers
u u
Learning how to balance our sometimes conflicting loyalties and n n n n n numbersumbersumbers
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ר ָבּ ְד ָבּ ְד ָבּ ְדָ ר ָבּ ְד
ר ר
attachments in a constantly changing world is no small achievement.
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But this goal is especially vital in our post-Holocaust period, for the
Nazis literally branded their victims with numbers to erase their ר ָבּ ְד ִמּ ַבּ ִמּ ַבּ ִמּ ַבּ ִמּ ַבּרבּ ְד ִמּ ַבּ ִמּ ַבּ
individuality; thus, we must fight against this by reclaiming the
sanctity of the individual. However, as Hillel taught an individual
must also exist for others: “If I am not for myself – who will be for
me? And if I am only for myself – what am I?” (Pirkei Avot 1:14).
a a
amidbarmidbarmidbar
The Torah by creating a very clear context for individual identity b b b b b bamidbaramidbaramidbar
assists us in realizing how the individual can find his or her place
standing alone while simultaneously identifying and participating
fully in family life, the workplace, the local religious community, the
entire Jewish people, and the human race.

A very vivid example of the individual and the group’s importance
(and the dynamic between them) that I and many others experienced
was the way Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach would conduct Kiddush
Levanah (the monthly Sanctification of the Moon). Most people
perform this ceremony in a matter of minutes, but Reb Shlomo
would take hours. At one point in the ceremony, each individual says
“Shalom aleichem!” (Peace unto you!) to three other people. Each
of them responds in kind, “Aleichem shalom!” (Unto you peace!).
Usually everyone reaches this point in the ceremony at the same
time and turns to three neighbors to rapidly complete the exchange

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