By: Head of school Rabbi Jordan Silvestri
I cannot believe that the school year has come to a close. It has been a joy and pleasure to have had the honor and privilege to teach your children and be part of their journeys. This year, each of them has learned new topics and ideas as they explored their own identities. As we look at their first-day-of-school pictures, we are in awe of how our children have grown, look different, and have persevered through the challenges they faced. And for you, our parent body, we can also think back to how our year started and appreciate the stops along the way to its completion. Thank you for sharing your children with us, for trusting in us, and for continuing to entrust your children to us for the upcoming school year.
As we look toward this week’s Torah portion, Parshat Naso, there is an astounding dynamic that plays itself out in the form of the tribal princes and their contributions to the Mishkan, the Tabernacle, after its inauguration:
וַיַּקְרִ֙יבוּ֙ נְשִׂיאֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל רָאשֵׁ֖י בֵּ֣ית אֲבֹתָ֑ם הֵ֚ם נְשִׂיאֵ֣י הַמַּטֹּ֔ת הֵ֥ם הָעֹמְדִ֖ים עַל־הַפְּקֻדִֽים׃
“And the princes of the heads of the households of Israel who were in charge of overseeing the people came close.” Bamidbar 7:1
Rashi highlights that the behavior of the tribal princes differed now from their behavior when Moshe was collecting supplies to build the Mishkan. During the collection, the princes took a back seat. Whatever would not be donated by the Jewish people, they would address. What was their logic? We are people of means, and the Jewish people do not have riches like us. There will certainly be donations needed and leftover after they give all that they can. However, they were wrong. They miscalculated and were left with egg on their face.
During the inauguration, they realized their follies and actively stepped up before anyone else to ensure that their contributions were meaningful, needed, and reflective of their stature in the community. I have always wondered what caused their miscalculation originally. The Jewish people were excited and overly zealous in their interest to create a physical home for Hashem. Why would the princes think that they would not go above and beyond in their donations? After all, they did when contributing to the sin of the Egel HaZahav, the Golden Calf.
Just a few nights ago, we had the pleasure of spending a night learning as we geared up for the celebration of receiving the Torah. As I sat together with a Beit Midrash full of diverse learners, the space filled up with a cacophony of sound as we learned together throughout the night. At 3 a.m., when food was served, the sound changed, it dimmed for a small bit. Something profound hit me at that moment.
We often lose sight of the impact that our presence and engagement have on the overall community at large. We assume that one less voice in a Beit Midrash will not change the dynamic. We assess that one less contribution to the Mishkan will not alter the totality of the work. We often assess inaccurately. Each of our voices and contributions is meaningful and impactful.
As we move into the summer and “grow a year older” over the next few months, I hope that we will strengthen our appreciation of how much a single voice, a single presence, can shift the future, for that room, for that division, for that school, and for the entire Jewish people. We need each of you to help build the world that Hashem has shown us is possible.
Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom and a happy and healthy summer! Can’t wait to welcome you all back in August!