Conformity, Creativity and Individuality

“And his offering was one silver bowl weighing 130 shekels, one silver sprinkling basin weighing 70 shekels according to the holy shekel, both filled with fine flour mixed with olive oil for a meal offering;
One spoon weighing 10 shekels of gold filled with incense;
One young bull, one ram and one lamb in its first year for a burnt offering;
One young he goat for a sin offering;
And for the peace offering: two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs in their first year.”

This regimen of sacrifices is mentioned in this week’s Parsha, Naso. Its mentioned in the fifth reading, in regards to the offerings brought by Nachshon ben Aminadav on behalf of the Tribe of Yehudah - Judah.

Its also mentioned with regards to the offerings of Netanel ben Tzuar on behalf of the Tribe of Yissachar - Issachar.

Additionally, this prescription is dispatched to Eliav ben Cheylon on behalf of the Tribe of Zevulun - Zebulun - as well.

Elitzur ben Sh’deyur followed the same itinerary on behalf of the Tribe of Reuven - Reuben.

In fact, this schedule of affairs was adhered to by ALL 12 Tribes of Israel (at the time it was the original 12 Tribes, with Yosef - Joseph - replaced by his two sons, Menashe and Efrayim - Manasseh and Ephraim - with Levi not included).

Of course the cliche question at this point is; “Why does the Torah repeat itself 12 times? Does not the Torah prefer to avoid use of extra words?”

Good question indeed! And you are correct, the Torah does not use extra words. None of these repetitions are ‘extra’ or ‘additional’ words. In fact, they are not repetitions at all.

Each recurrence of the designated sacrificial process is unique its own way. While the Torah does not spell it out for us, commentaries have taught that each Tribes’ chieftain offered the gathered components of the sacrifice in his own way.

With each instance, something different was happening. A new idea. A new method. A new format. While it was all prescribed and followed in the same fashion, it was in their hearts and souls that the difference was found.

It is here, that the Torah enlightens us about the holy three-way matrimony between conformity, creativity and individuality.

With each tribal prince bringing the sacrifices with his own heartfelt and soulful method of service to G-d, he is conforming to the directive of the Holy Torah while adding his own individual and personal approach. Its the creativity in each that led to today’s methods of Torah study and commentary.

With today being Rosh Chodesh Sivan, the beginning of the new Jewish Month, the month in which the Holiday of Shavuot* falls, now could not be a better time to focus on this lesson of the Parsha.

We are taught - שבעים פנים לתורה - that Torah has “seventy faces.” The meaning is that of commentary and personal touch. With each individual choosing to learn the Torah and give his or her own personal spark to the holy texts.

May we all learn from the Torah in our own unique way, with the main point focusing on combining the three traits. Conformity, creativity and individuality.
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May G-d continue to bless the brave men and women of the Israel Defense Force who stand guard over our Holy Land, Eretz Yisrael - the Land of Israel. May G-d bestow blessings and success upon the servants selected to care for the Land.

This Torah thought is brought to you in memory of Mr. Yissachar Dov “Berel” Weiss, OBM, of Los Angeles, CA, patriarch to a family of Chabad-Lubavitch Chassidim and Shluchim - emmisarries - across North America.

Mr. Weiss was a fierce proponent of Torah study and Judaism. Through his immense philanthropy, thousands of Jewish people have been able to learn at Chabad Institutions worldwide. May his memory and inspiration be a blessing to all who knew him.

Shabbat Shalom from the Chabad House at McGill University in Downtown Montreal, Canada where we are wrapping up the celebrations of “graduation week.” Mazal Tov to all the graduates and best of luck in your future endeavors.

*Shavuot begins at sundown on Tuesday, June 7 and lasts through sundown on Thursday, June 9. On Wednesday, June 8, it is customary to hear the 10 Commandments read aloud in the synagogue.