Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa takes a two-part look at the first parsha in a new Book – Number, or “Bemidbar” in Hebrew. (Num. 1:1 – 4:21)
Yes, there are a lot of ‘numbers’ (starting with a head count) but perhaps what happens “in the wilderness” really IS more important, in a number of ways.
During the Erev Shabbat overview teaching, Mark outlines the ‘why’ of all that.
The Sabbath Day teaching this week is ultimately about the fact that it is impossible NOT to recognize the spiritual significance of being “in the wilderness”. In the process, Mark examines a number of themes, from the lessons of the ‘head count’ and the order of encampment to what any of that has to do with the haftorah selection, in Hosea chapter 2. If we can understand how a prophet, and then even his Creator, can love an unfaithful whore, maybe we can see how He can still love us, and plan for our return to Him.
“Bemidbar – Sound of Silence: The Still Small Voice In the Wilderness”
