Commentary on Parashat Bamidbar, Numbers 1:1-4:20
There are so many ways that we can make sure that we get the most out of our actions. Our lives are busy and, in our rush to get things done, we risk expending lots of unnecessary energy. When there is little time, what can we do to make sure that we are still creating meaningful moments and maximizing our potential? One way to do that is to create order and build rituals into our everyday lives.
In this week’s Torah portion, Bamidbar, the Israelites do just that. When traveling in the desert they need to set up their camps. This is no small feat since they must organize so many different things, among them the people, the tents and the ark itself. They manage this by creating a ritual for setting up the camp. This is not a religious ritual, but rather a system put in place to help manage day-to-day events.
Ritual is important in our lives. Whether setting aside time to have dinner as a family, implementing a system to manage the morning rush, or knowing that Wednesday night dinner is spaghetti – when we build order into our lives, we begin to manage the seemingly overwhelming tasks and take comfort in knowing that there are some things that will remain constant in our hurried lives. Sometimes rituals can ground us, adding a sense of calm, and sometimes they can push us, giving us a structure to help us manage all that we take on.
TALK TO YOUR KIDS about the rituals your family has created.
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CONNECT TO THEIR LIVES:
· What is a family ritual that helps you?
· Is there a family ritual you would like to create?
· Do you have individual rituals that get you through the week?
· Where is one place in your life being more organized would help you to succeed?
From “Values and Ethics: Torah Topics for Today,” available from Behrman House Publishers.
ark
Pronounced: ark, Origin: English, the place in the synagogue where the Torah scrolls are stored, also known as the aron kodesh, or holy cabinet.
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Torah
Pronunced: TORE-uh, Origin: Hebrew, the Five Books of Moses.
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