What does Shavuot mean to me?
What does being Jewish mean to me?
What does being me mean to me?
These are worthwhile questions to ask. In fact, I dare say that they deserve regular reflection. “Who am I?” is not just a philosophical inquiry; its answer can act as a guidepost. When we understand our identity, we gain clarity about our purpose. And this clarity provides us with direction. Without knowing who we are, it’s all too easy to drift through life without meaning or mission.
This week’s Torah portion, Bamidbar, gives us a meaningful lens through which to reflect on these questions.
As the Jewish people journeyed through the desert, the sacred objects of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) were transported with great care. Each item was wrapped in two coverings—one tight and fitted, the other loose and protective. These layers weren’t just practical; they were symbolic, offering a powerful lesson in how to live with purpose and spiritual integrity. The Levites, who were entrusted with this holy task, traveled separated from the rest of the nation by a partition, emphasizing the need for sacred space and spiritual boundaries even while on the move.
We are physical beings with physical needs, and those needs are real and legitimate.
But we also have a soul, a divine spark with a higher yearning. If we’re not careful, the noise of the world can drown out the voice of our soul. That’s why we need boundaries, parameters to help protect the soul from becoming overwhelmed. This is reflected in the loose outer coverings of the Mishkan’s holy items. They weren’t just practical, provided as protection, they were also symbolic, teaching us and providing us with the reminder that we need to buffer the sacred from the chaos outside.
The inner, fitted coverings represent something more personal: the resources we need to rectify our own unique struggles. For one person, it might be jealousy. For another, unhealthy desires. The key is self-awareness, it is imperative for us to figure out what our challenge is, and how to respond. No two people are alike, and no two spiritual defenses can look the same. When we create “fitted coverings” around our weaknesses, we take meaningful steps toward living with intention.
Finally, since we live among the nations of the world, often we have the urge to blend in.
There’s a natural pull to be like everyone else, to do what’s “normal.” But that pull can sometimes take us away from our true selves, from our inner calling, from our souls’ desire to connect to G-d. This is where we need a metaphorical curtain, a spiritual boundary between ourselves and the influences that may dilute our identity.
When we understand who we are at our core, we can start to live more consciously. We can wrap ourselves in the right protections, live according to our souls’ mission, and walk with clarity and confidence.
On a deeper level, this is what Shavuot is all about: Not just receiving the Torah once, but opening ourselves up to receiving it again, more deeply, more clearly, more
truthfully.
Shabbat Shalom