Bamidbar
As the saying (and soap opera tagline) goes, “Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives.” It’s a poetic way of saying that life is short. We know that, though. We don’t need a soap opera tagline to remind us.
Or do we?
Yes, I’m feeling a little philosophical at the moment, and it’s been far too long since I’ve put together some musings on the weekly Parashah. But, this week’s portion, Bamidbar, is resonating loud and clear, fresh off a trip to WUPJ Connections 2023 where over 250 progressive Jews from around the globe congregated to reunite, renew and rejoice. Rather than focus on the passing of time (it had been 6 years since an in-person Conference) the focus was on a cluster of community, united in shared visions.
It was a time of individuals converging to form a powerful force of ideas, conversations and projects. Every individual, like every grain of sand in the hourglass, is unique. Each grain may seem insignificant on its own, but together, the grains form a formidable force that measures time. That measures the moments in our lives. Every decision, every experience, and every action counts towards shaping our future – individually and as a community.
It’s all too easy to get caught up in the bigger picture – the 5-year plan, the next meeting, the next big idea – and forget about the small stuff. We’re quick to talk about and set goals, intensely focusing on the end result. But it’s the journey that matters the most. Every step, every conversation, every obstacle in our way and every person we meet counts towards our individual development, and the growth of our movement.
Just like the grains of sand sifting through the hourglass, every moment counts. The smaller things – those individual grains (you and I) – are what make up the bigger picture. Sure, the impact isn’t always immediately obvious, but each grain (each individual in our circle) is a building block towards the final, magnificent sandcastle.
Since we’re talking taglines, let’s throw in the fact that life is a journey, not a destination. That means we need to consciously enjoy the ride (and every grain) along the way. In Parashah Bamidbar, G-d commands Moses to take a census of the Israelites. The purpose? To count and organise people as they prepare for their journey through the desert; the Promised Land – the end destination.
So, where does a grain of sand fit in? Jewish tradition denotes humility. Just one small, seemingly inconsequential grain of sand reminds us to recognise our place in the vastness of the world’s sandbox.
To a point…
The census reminds us that each solo Israelite is a valued part of the larger community. By counting people in Bamdibar, we’re reminded that each one is irreplaceable, no matter their position or status in the populace.
What’s more, this week’s setting, the desert, is a stunning metaphor for the spiritual journey each of us should undertake. Yes, the vastness of the desert is staggering, but it’s also the perfect backdrop for growth, reformation and progression.
Parashah Bamidbar is a reminder that we must approach life with humility. We must recognise the importance and value of every individual in a larger society. We should embrace the challenges we face as opportunities for transformation. And we should always trust in the Divine’s guidance as we journey together through the wilderness.
A grain of sand is unique. It’s not merely a number in the sandpit of life. It’s a reminder to approach life humbly and, while recognising and embracing our own smallness in the grand scheme of things, also acknowledge and embrace our inherent value as a member of a larger community.
Yes, some days and circumstances might seem repetitive or mundane, but each is filled with its own experiences and moments, and that’s worth holding on to when you feel like time is slipping away.
One grain is part of an entire nation. Remember that. And if you’re feeling down, lost in the wilderness or like you don’t belong, look around you. You are an imperative particle in the expansive dunes of this life – a symphony of grains in motion.
And those are indeed the days of our lives.
Nachas & Drash 