Practical Philosophy (Week 15)

This week’s Parsha: Bamidbar (meaning: “In the desert”)

In a nutshell:

• This week’s Parsha is read on the Shabbat before Shavuot (“the wedding of Israel to G-d”), the Feast that celebrates the giving of the Torah.
• This passage breaks down the children of Israel into the various 12 tribes. At the epicenter was the Levite circle and surrounding them were the twelve tribes (4 groups of 3 tribes each): (1) Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, (2) Reuben, Simeon, Gad, (3) Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin, (4) Dan, Asher, Naphtali.
• Each tribe had its own nassi (prince or leader), and its own flag with its tribal color and emblem. The image of the Israelite camp was like a wheel with many spokes all leading to one hub. The tribes had a specific order and method of movement.

Moral of the story and how it applies to our world today

• Seeking truth: I had the privilege of watching Brian Greene (world renowned physicist) and Leon Wieseltier (Ex Editor of the New Republic) debate the limitations of science and the “essence of being human”. Something that was said has stuck with me since: “We are all uncomfortable with uncertainty. It’s the reason for our never-ending quest for answers: ‘Why are we here, and what do we exist for?’ Scientists try to find the answers in physics, and pious folk turn to faith.” We’re all seeking truth. A truth of meaning, a truth of being, a truth of purpose. A better question might be: Why are we so uncomfortable with uncertainty, and would we be better off not worrying about why we’re here, and instead, cherish the precious moments we have on this planet? Alternatively, Robert Kraft thinks we should ask ourselves a simple question each night as we lays our head on the pillow: “Are the people you have touched today richer and better for having known you?”

“To have a fulfilling life you have to make promises. You have to surrender some freedom of choice to taste a higher freedom, the freedom that comes after you’ve settled on a direction, chained yourself to a cause and enlarged your capacities. You can ask, What would I do if I weren’t afraid? Fear is a surprisingly good GPS system. It signals that you really want something, even if that something is on the other side of social disapproval. People who use the moral lens don’t ask, what do I want from life. They ask: What is life asking of me? What problems are out there in my specific circumstances that I am well positioned to address.” — David Brooks

Shabbat Shalom,

Guy