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This weeks Parsha, Parshat Bamidmar, begins with of a census of all men above the age of 20, all in preparation for the journey through the desert. One of the main foundations of Jewish life in the desert was having the Mishkan at each stop along the way. In order to properly build the Mishkan at each location, Bnei Yisrael were instructed to carry the pieces of the Mishkan in a specific way.  Different people were responsible for carrying the different parts, and there were severe punishments for anyone who does not follow through with their particular task.

Throughout the transporting process, each part of the Mishkan is separated, put away in different vessels, and carried throughout the desert by various people. It was instructed that no one was able to watch the process of the Mishkan being taken apart. What is the problem with seeing the Mishkan as it’s being taken apart? What specifically was the sin that lead to the death penalty?

The Bamidbar Rabbah provides two different explanations of the significance of the Aron Kodesh. Amongst Bnei Yisrael, there was a great fear of the Aron, which lead to many people being afraid to take on the responsibility of carrying it. Just as when unpacking a car full of groceries and one first goes to take the lighter bags, so too when unpacking and transferring the Mishkan, bnei yisrael first would go and pick up the “easier” parts to carry as opposed to the Aron. On the contrary, there is another explanation to Aron-carrying task. The reason why different people were allotted different jobs was to prevent fighting among bnei yisrael.  As opposed to everyone fearing the Aron Kodesh, everyone wanted to carry the Aron because they would receive an even greater reward for carrying it.

While it may be clear that the Aron is the most important aspect of the Mishkan, there is question as to why one is not allowed to look at the Mishkan while it's being taken apart. Rav Hirsch explains that if one were to watch the process of the building of the Mishkan before seeing it whole, he wouldn't necessarily be able to connect to it spiritually. Therefore, throughout the desert experience, bnei yisrael were given strict ruling, specifically dealing with the Mishkan, in order to ensure that would remain devoted and connected, and ultimately exit the desert as עם ישראל בלב אחד .

The underlying message that is shown through the midbar journey is relevant to us today, especially right after we celebrated united  Yerushalayim’s 50th birthday. For the past 50 years, we have had the privilege to have the holy city of Jerusalem. Jews have been free to walk the streets of Ben Yehuda, bargain for various products at the shuk, and even daven at Kotel at any hour of the day- all while feeling a part of Am Yisrael.

As this year comes to a close at Midreshet Amit, we can fully appreciate Jerusalem as our home. Each student at Amit is unique and comes from a different background, and even from various countries. However, we all joined together at Midreshet Amit to fully experience the land of Israel, study torah, and do chessed to the best of our abilities. While many of us have celebrated Yom Yerushalayim in the past, being in Israel in the heart of Jerusalem is a completely different ballgame. Seeing a YouTube clip or two, or listening to a lecture on Jerusalem, simply does not compare to the Yom Yerushalayim experience in the city itself. The tremendous unity that was present among us as we sang and danced through the streets of Jerusalem, ultimately ending up all together at the Kotel, allowed everyone to feel a part of the bigger nation of Am Yisrael. Just as each part of the Mishkan played a vital role in the completion of the Mishkan as a whole, so too everything contributing to Jerusalem is extremely important to us as Jews. However, the most significant and meaningful part of Yom Yerushalayim is the full picture of Jerusalem, and the unity that is expressed on the birthday of Jerusalem itself.