by Ram ben Ze'ev
In Bemidbar (במדבר) 2:2, we read:
איש על־דגלו באתת לבית אבתם יחנו בני ישראל מנגד סביב לאהל מועד יחנו
(Ish al-diglo b'otot l'veit avotam yachanu b'nei Yisrael mineged saviv l'ohel mo'ed yachanu)
"Each man by his banner, according to the insignias of their fathers’ houses, shall encamp around the Tent of Meeting at a distance."
This verse describes the precise and purposeful organization of the tribes of Israel around the Mishkan (משכן, Tabernacle). Each tribe, with its unique banner and role, encamped in its designated place, creating an orderly and harmonious community centered on the divine presence. However, this seemingly simple arrangement holds profound spiritual meaning when viewed in the context of the Holy Zohar’s teachings about the kings of Edom.
The Chaos of the Kings of Edom
The phrase "and these are the kings" from Beresheet (בראשית, Genesis) 36:31 refers to the kings who ruled in Edom before Israel had kings. The Holy Zohar interprets these kings as symbols of chaos (תוהו, tohu), representing an earlier state of creation.
In the supernal worlds, the period of tohu was characterized by vessels (כלים, kelim) that could not contain the overwhelming divine light (אורות, orot), leading to their shattering (שבירת הכלים, shevirat ha-kelim). This collapse resulted in fragmentation and disconnection, as reflected in the Torah’s account that each king of Edom "died." Without divine rectifications (תיקונים, tikkunim), this chaotic state could not endure.
The downfall of the kings of Edom symbolizes the dangers of unchecked independence and disconnection from G-D’s purpose. Their failure highlights the necessity of divine order, which brings stability and harmony to creation.
Israel's Encampment: A Model of Rectification
In contrast, the encampment of the tribes around the Mishkan represents the rectified worlds. Each tribe maintained its unique identity, symbolized by its banner, but all were united in their purpose, centered on the Mishkan. This arrangement reflects the divine rectification (תיקון, tikkun) of chaos, where light and vessels are integrated to sustain order and harmony.
The Mishkan served as the central unifying force, embodying G-D’s presence among the people. Through this structure, Israel demonstrated the ideal balance between individuality and unity, transforming the chaos of tohu into the harmony of tikkun.
Lessons for Leadership and Community
The contrast between the kings of Edom and the encampment of Israel offers timeless lessons for leadership and community. The kings of Edom ruled in isolation, disconnected from one another and from G-D’s guidance, leading to their inevitable downfall. In contrast, the tribes of Israel, though diverse, found their strength in their collective alignment with the divine will.
This teaches us that true leadership and community thrive when centered on a higher purpose. Each individual has a unique role to play, but lasting stability requires a unifying focus—represented by the Mishkan in Israel’s encampment and by Torah and mitzvot in our own lives.
Practical Reflections
The teachings of tohu and tikkun are not abstract concepts; they resonate deeply in our personal and communal lives. Each of us experiences moments of chaos, where the light we receive seems too great for our vessels to contain. These challenges can lead to fragmentation unless we ground ourselves in the divine structure of Torah and mitzvot, which strengthen our vessels and enable us to channel the light productively.
Moreover, the encampment around the Mishkan reminds us of the importance of unity within diversity. Just as the tribes encamped in their specific positions, we too must embrace our individuality while contributing to the greater harmony of the community.
By aligning our lives with the divine order exemplified in the encampment of Israel, we transform chaos into harmony and bring the light of tikkun into the world.
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Bill White (Ram ben Ze'ev) is CEO of WireNews Limited, Mayside Partners Limited, MEADHANAN Agency, Kestrel Assets Limited (developer of MAYCOINS), SpudsToGo Limited and Executive Director of Hebrew Synagogue