Devar/5770/Bamidbar
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< Devar | 5770
עברית
דֶּגֶל מַחֲנֵה רְאוּבֵן תֵּימָנָה, לְצִבְאֹתָם; וְנָשִׂיא לִבְנֵי רְאוּבֵן, אֱלִיצוּר בֶּן-שְׁדֵיאוּר. (במדבר ב:י)
English
And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you: of Reuben, Elizur the son of Shedeur (Num 1:4)
On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben according to their hosts; the prince of the children of Reuben being Elizur the son of Shedeur. (Num 2:10)
At the beginning of our portion, the Torah enumerates every one head of his father's house who were to join Moshe in undertaking the census. That census was taken to count how many among the Children of Israel were of military age. Each of the ones named in our portion was a "head of his father's house" -- an important and honored man, known to the members of his tribe. A few verses later, the Torah once again distinguishes these same men -- but this time, with the title "prince".
It is understood from this, that those to whom the Torah gave distinction by listing their names were true leaders of their tribes. It is no wonder therefore, that the Torah appointed them to responsible positions for the carrying out of the census. After all, they knew everyone and were respected by them. But why did the Torah distinguish them a second time, every man with his own standard?
Each one of the tribes encamped in a particular place, always in the same formation. Likewise, when the travelled they maintained the same order and formation. The manner of their encamping and travelling was military in nature -- each tribe had its particular place within the formation, and in the center of them all was the Holy Ark surrounded by the tribe of Levi. Perhaps the Torah is hinting that it is not sufficient for a "prince" to be elevated and honored. He also has to take part in the "action" and to motivate the people, even during wartime. Just as we saw with King David, of blessed memory, who never hesitated to stand at the front. Because the job of the leader is to lead -- if doesn't stand in the forefront, how will he bring the people to their destination?
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