Parshas Bamidbar - Chag HaShavuos 5785
- Torah Tavlin
- May 29
- 3 min read
והיה מספר בני ישראל כחול הים אשר לא ימד ולא יספר ... (הושע ב-א, הפטרה לסדר במדבר)
It is amazing to see how Hashem flips from exacting justice on Klal Yisroel to offering consolation, all juxtaposed in one statement. In fact, in Parshas Bamidbar itself we see this seemingly blatant contradiction in that first Hashem declares that Klal Yisroel are “Not His people” and then the Almighty says endearingly that the Jews, “cannot be counted because they are like the sand of the sea.” How can it be?
Rashi quotes and expounds upon the words of the Sifri D’vei Rav. He explains that Chazal (Pesachim 87b) say that at some point Hoshea HaNavi became so frustrated with Klal Yisroel’s indifference to sinning that he blurted out to Hashem, “Exchange them for another nation!” Immediately, Hoshea regretted his statement and stood up and begged for Divine mercy. Rashi explains that this can be compared to a king who became angry with his wife and summoned a scribe to hasten and write a bill of divorce. However, before the scribe arrived, the king felt bad and reconciled with his wife. When the scribe arrived, the king decided to use the scribe’s services to add to his wife’s allowance.
Now we can understand the reason for the seemingly contradictory juxtaposition. Hashem’s love for Klal Yisroel runs so deep that even when He turns away from us, exiles us, and declares that we are “no longer His people,” He still ensures that we multiply and grow in exile - for the way to Hashem’s “heart” is through the continuity of the Jewish people and our ever-growing numbers.
ודמות פניהם פני אדם ופני אריה אל הימין ... (יחזקאל א-י, הפטרה ליום א' של חג השבועות)
Yechezkel HaNavi describes the incredible sight of the holy shechina sitting atop a Divine throne-like chariot - the Merkava - which was being held up by life-like creatures with wings. These creatures contained the faces of a man and a lion on their right side, and the faces of an ox and eagle on their left. While this was obviously reminiscent of the sight of the shechina at Har Sinai and truly appropriate for the Yom Tov of Shavuos what is the significance of the difference between the faces on the two sides?
R’ Eliezer Ben R’ Yehuda of Worms zt”l, the Rokeach, explains that the pasuk uses the terms “right” and “left” to hint at the Heavenly court of law where Klal Yisroel are alternately prosecuted and defended. “The face of the ox to the left” symbolizes the angels who accuse Klal Yisroel of the Chet HaEigel - the sin of the Golden Calf, whereas the “face of the lion to the right” stands for the angels who speak up on behalf of the Jewish people. Hashem, in His mercy, will quickly turn from the left to the right and pay attention to the defenders in order to rule with mercy.
Amazingly, even as we sin and are being prosecuted in the heavenly court for our sins, Hashem always leaves room for ministering angels to come before Him and plead on our behalf. "מה הוא רחום אף אתה רחום" - we must live by Hashem’s example and always give others the benefit of the doubt.