Bamidbar: The Open Oasis of Torah

By Mordy Blau

We are one week away from the completion of counting Sefirat Haomer and Shavuot. This process began nearly 50 days earlier with the Korban Omer which happened to be brought on the second day of Pesach. The Sefer Hachinuch notes that that is not a coincidence; Sefirat Hamoer is the bridge between Pesach and Shavuot. He explains that the purpose of Klal Yisrael is Kabbalat HaTorah, so we should realize that leaving Miztraim was not an end in it of itself, but a means to getting the Torah. This is highlighted by the fact that we count up towards Shavuot. Seemingly, Pesach is merely a hechsher toward Kabbalat Hatorah, a means to an end. But maybe, there is a deeper understanding to be had.

The Ramban in Parshat Emor talks about the connection between the Chagim. He explains that there is a parallel between Shavuot and Pesach, like Shmini Atzeret and Succot. Just like Succot is the main holiday with Shmini Aterzert acting as the wrap up, the same is true about the other Regalim. Pesach is the main focus and it develops into Shavuot, the culmination. In this view, Pesach takes precedence over Shavuot.

There is a famous question asked by the Rishonim why we do not say Shehecheyanu on the Mitzvah of Sefirat Haomer. The Meiri says that Sefirat Haomer’s shehecheyanu is covered by the shehecheyanu of Pesach. This implies that Sefirat Haomer is part of Pesach. Therefore, we could say the idea is that we are building off Pesach, it is 49 days of progress from Pesach as explained by the Ramban.

However, others suggest that the shehecheyanu of Shavuot covers Sefirat Haomer. Why is this so? Why must the the bracha on Shavuot cover sefira, instead of Pesach. The answer is found in the bracha itself. The wording of shehecheyanu implies that we got to a point, ״שהחיינו וקיימנו והגיענו לזמן הזה״. Therefore, we can’t start sefira by saying shehecheyanu when we haven’t reached that point yet. Rather it must be when we get to the point we have been waiting for.

So we are almost there, almost at the time of Kabbalat HaTorah. But, how do we prepare? How do we get ready for the final moment? My High School Principal, Rabbi Avery Joel quotes mefarshim who say that the reading of Bamidbar right before Shavuot is no coincidence. He explains that Bamidbar means a desert - a place where everyone has the ability to walk in and go out. So too with the Torah. It is accessible to everyone and everyone can be involved in it.

So, start planning. The Torah is waiting for us to just walk in. Let us think how are we going to dedicate this week to Torah. How are we going to dedicate our Shavuot to Talmud Torah? If we answer these questions, we will fulfill what we have been counting for and say שהחיינו, וקיימנו והגיענו לזמן הזה with a sense of fulfillment and simcha.

Good Shabbos and Shabbat Shalom Chevra!!