The Torah states in Bemidbar 2:2, “B’nei Yisrael shall encamp, each man by his banner according to the signs of their fathers’ household.” Rashi explains that “according to the signs” means: “By the signs which their father Yaakob gave them when they were to carry him out from Egypt, as it is said (Bereshit 50:12), ‘His sons did for him exactly as he had commanded them,’ for he had commanded that Yehudah, Yissachar and Zevulun should carry him, having their position at the east side of the bier, Reuven, Shimon, and Gad at the south side, etc. The Midrash relates that when G-D instructed Moshe about the positioning of each tribe in the desert, Moshe became concerned. He was worried that each tribe would object to their placement and strife would ensue. G-D instructed Moshe on the precise placement of each tribe: Yehudah, Yissachar, and Zevulun to the east; Reuven, Shimon, and Gad to the south; Ephraim, Menashe, and Binyamin to the west; and Dan, Asher, and Naftali to the north.
G-D reassured Moshe that the tribes would not have any problem accepting their assigned positions because this placement mirrored the arrangement that was set when each of Yaakov’s sons accompanied their father’s coffin from Egypt to Canaan for burial. Now, years later, each tribe, represented by those sons, would likewise accept their designated place without contention.
This serves to teach us a powerful lesson about the strength of unity and brotherly love. When people are united and work together in harmony, they can overcome any challenge and achieve remarkable feats. Furthermore, this unity acts as a shield, protecting them from both internal strife and external threats.
The fact that B’nei Yisrael stood in this specific formation of camps, with each tribe in its assigned place, demonstrates their willingness to accept and understand their individual roles within the nation. They did not feel slighted or jealous of one another’s positions; instead, they embraced their unique responsibilities, understanding that their contribution was crucial to the overall well-being and functioning of the nation.
This concept of unity is beautifully expressed in Shir HaShirim (4:7): “You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no blemish in you” or in other words when the nation achieves true unity, there is no blemish among them. When G-D sees His people united, working together in harmony and fulfilling their designated roles, He views them as perfect and unblemished in His eyes.
It is perhaps this very unity that serves as a buffer between the curses of Parashat Bechukotai, read two weeks ago, and the upcoming celebration of Shabuout, when we accept the Torah and all its misvot. By fostering a sense of unity and purpose, by recognizing the importance of each individual’s role within the community, we can create a spiritual shield that protects us from harm and allows us to wholeheartedly embrace the blessings and responsibilities of the Torah.