The Shabbos of Parsha Bamidbar

by Elisheva bas Chana

The Shabbos of Parsha Bamidbar

We were a unity at Har Sinai to receive the Torah. Achdus Yisroel is a term we use to describe why we should have Ahavas Yisroel. In essence, we are one, as a people with one neshama.

The two important principles of Achdus Yisroel and Ahavas Yisroel should be common practice on Shabbos before Shavuos, to prepare for the giving of the Torah as one people.

During the Sefiras HaOmer we count 49 days - 7 weeks. The Jewish people are represented by a seven-branched menorah - symbolic of the seven Sefiros and the seven levels of Divine service. The unity of the seven branches of the Jewish neshama, which interact with each other, symbolizes the seven weeks.

The period of Sefiras HaOmer serves as a preparation for Shavuos. Matan Torah is dependent on the participation of every Jew.

Parsha Bamidbar has a particular relevance to Shavuos. Every Parsha has a connection with the time of the year when it is read, and Bamidbar is usually read on the Shabbos before Shavuos. In particular, Shavuos, which commemorates HaShem giving the Torah to the Jewish people, is called: "The Chasene of Yisroel to HaShem," and on the Shabbos before a chasene the chosson is called to the Torah as a preparation for the chasene. So Bamidbar is a preparation for that special connection between HaShem and the Jewish people upon Matan Torah.

In the opening words of Parsha Bamidbar, HaShem tells Moshe to count the entire community of all tribes;

"Alongside him there shall be one man for each tribe" - from each of the 12 tribes, one man was to assist in the count alongside Moshe and Aharon.

Counting the Jewish people in order to know their number, the Parsha explains that the Jews were beloved to HaShem. He counted them regularly. When the Jews were numbered as one entity, it revealed the Jewish qualities in individual differences, but the essential quality of the Jewish neshama is the same in all Jews.

Even though there are qualities of the individual, every Jew is part of a single whole. Every Jew was counted and equal to all other Jews. The individual tribes are part of the Jewish people as a whole.

May we individually, and in unity, continue to accept the responsibility of fulfilling the ultimate goal of HaShem's plan in creation. To help humanity, we have to reach out to achieve absolute oneness with HaShem.

Shabbos Achdus is a designated Shabbos before Shavuos, during which the Rebbe encouraged all Jews to keep at least one Shabbos in unity. This mirrors the unity of the Jewish people at Har Sinai. Jewish unity strengthens Ahavas Yisroel - loving our fellow Jew.

In 1986 the Rebbe made a Bakosha Nafshis - personal request - for all communities to organize farbrengens during the afternoon of Shabbos Parsha Bamidbar.

The purpose of these farbrengens is to bring unity among Jews of all backgrounds, to encourage k'Ish Echad B'Lev Echad - one people with one heart - which creates unity, harmony, and a shared purpose.

The Shabbos before Shavuos will strengthen Jewish unity. The Torah depends on unity.

We are the last generation of golus and the first generation of geulah, and HaShem is helping us to see that the world itself is helping and leading us towards the geulah.

May we be zoche to see the coming of the Moshiach soon, Omeyn.

###

Elisheva bas Chana – Celebrating the Heart of Yiddishkeit

Elisheva is a passionate voice for authentic Jewish life, blending Torah wisdom, mitzvos, and the timeless beauty of Yiddishkeit. Her writing shines a light on the strength and grace of Jewish women—from the legacy of Devorah Leah, daughter of the Alter Rebbe, to today’s women who live with faith, modesty, and purpose. Through her words, Elisheva celebrates Torah study, family purity, and radiant tznius, inspiring readers to embrace the joy, depth, and enduring spirit of Jewish tradition. Contact Elisheva.