THE MOST UNIQUE GIFT
Nasso
Parshas Nasso is the longest parsha in the Torah. A large section of it describes the gifts given by the 12 Nesiim as part of the dedication of the Mishkan and inauguration of the Mizbeach.
The first prince to bring his gift was Nachshon ben Aminadav of Shevet Yehudah, on Rosh Chodesh Nissan. The Torah describes his gift of one silver dish, weighing 130 shekels, one silver bowl of 70 shekels... both filled with fine flour mixed with oil... a golden spoon, ten shekels in weight, filled with incense and a series of animals for Korbonos - a total of 35 items.
The Torah then describes the gifts brought over the following 11 days by the other Nesiim. Even though each Nosi brought the identical offering, the Torah repeats the details of each one.
The commentaries are perplexed. The Torah is usually very sparse in its words. Many of the fundamental Mitzvos of the Torah are written briefly or are derived from allusions and extra letters. Yet here the Torah spends 72 extra verses repeating the identical gift in all of its details, weights and measures, 12 times!
Another question is that if each Nosi brought a gift as an expression of their love for Hashem, surely each gift should express their uniqueness? Why did each gift have to be exactly the same?
Rashi quotes the Midrash that each of the specific gifts and their Gematrios and weights had deep significance and representations. It is for this reason that each Tribe had to give the same gifts, so that they could tap into this deeper meaning.
As to why the Torah describes each tribe’s gift in its own right, the Midrash explains that whilst the gifts were the same, each Nosi brought them with a unique Kavana, connected specifically to their Sheivet.
For Yehuda, the king of the tribes, his gift was an expression of royalty. Yissachar who were the Torah scholars, brought their offering with the Kavana connected to Torah study. Zevulun’s Kavana was of the businessman who supports Torah scholars in their study, and so on.
This unique Kavanah is what differentiated the gifts of each Tribe. To acknowledge and convey this uniqueness, the Torah records each Nosi’s gift in full details, as though it was the only one to be brought.
At Har Sinai Hashem spoke to the entire Jewish people, comprising millions. Yet, the Aseres Hadibros are worded in singular form. Each person; man, woman and child, heard the identical words simultaneously. Yet each heard and felt as though Hashem was speaking personally and directly to them.
Often people ask why in Judaism everything is so regulated. Every day we daven the same Tefillos. Every person keeps the same Mitzvos according to the same halachic parameters. Surely Yiddishkeit, and especially prayer, should be personal? Where is room for individual expression?
Parshas Nasso gives us the answer. The conformity of the gifts not only had deep significance in their own right, it also allowed the Nesiim to make a truly personal offering. Rather than try and ‘out-do’ each other in the size or nature of the gifts and rather than focusing on the externalities, the Nesiim were able to look inside of themselves and offer their heart and minds. This is the most personal expression one can give, our very selves!
True we all keep the identical Torah and Mitzvos. The same Matan Torah was for everyone. But in our keeping of Torah and Mitzvos we are obliged to offer our feelings, beauty and Kavanos which are as unique and different as we are. The same Mitzvos are repeated over and over, but we have to strive to make each one a unique experience with our hearts and minds.
The first prince to bring his gift was Nachshon ben Aminadav of Shevet Yehudah, on Rosh Chodesh Nissan. The Torah describes his gift of one silver dish, weighing 130 shekels, one silver bowl of 70 shekels... both filled with fine flour mixed with oil... a golden spoon, ten shekels in weight, filled with incense and a series of animals for Korbonos - a total of 35 items.
The Torah then describes the gifts brought over the following 11 days by the other Nesiim. Even though each Nosi brought the identical offering, the Torah repeats the details of each one.
The commentaries are perplexed. The Torah is usually very sparse in its words. Many of the fundamental Mitzvos of the Torah are written briefly or are derived from allusions and extra letters. Yet here the Torah spends 72 extra verses repeating the identical gift in all of its details, weights and measures, 12 times!
Another question is that if each Nosi brought a gift as an expression of their love for Hashem, surely each gift should express their uniqueness? Why did each gift have to be exactly the same?
Rashi quotes the Midrash that each of the specific gifts and their Gematrios and weights had deep significance and representations. It is for this reason that each Tribe had to give the same gifts, so that they could tap into this deeper meaning.
As to why the Torah describes each tribe’s gift in its own right, the Midrash explains that whilst the gifts were the same, each Nosi brought them with a unique Kavana, connected specifically to their Sheivet.
For Yehuda, the king of the tribes, his gift was an expression of royalty. Yissachar who were the Torah scholars, brought their offering with the Kavana connected to Torah study. Zevulun’s Kavana was of the businessman who supports Torah scholars in their study, and so on.
This unique Kavanah is what differentiated the gifts of each Tribe. To acknowledge and convey this uniqueness, the Torah records each Nosi’s gift in full details, as though it was the only one to be brought.
At Har Sinai Hashem spoke to the entire Jewish people, comprising millions. Yet, the Aseres Hadibros are worded in singular form. Each person; man, woman and child, heard the identical words simultaneously. Yet each heard and felt as though Hashem was speaking personally and directly to them.
Often people ask why in Judaism everything is so regulated. Every day we daven the same Tefillos. Every person keeps the same Mitzvos according to the same halachic parameters. Surely Yiddishkeit, and especially prayer, should be personal? Where is room for individual expression?
Parshas Nasso gives us the answer. The conformity of the gifts not only had deep significance in their own right, it also allowed the Nesiim to make a truly personal offering. Rather than try and ‘out-do’ each other in the size or nature of the gifts and rather than focusing on the externalities, the Nesiim were able to look inside of themselves and offer their heart and minds. This is the most personal expression one can give, our very selves!
True we all keep the identical Torah and Mitzvos. The same Matan Torah was for everyone. But in our keeping of Torah and Mitzvos we are obliged to offer our feelings, beauty and Kavanos which are as unique and different as we are. The same Mitzvos are repeated over and over, but we have to strive to make each one a unique experience with our hearts and minds.