We can unite as one once we thrive as individuals

When listening to the Torah reading in shul, I can find myself reviewing how many pages we have remaining. The purpose can be of importance too; after all, a good upcoming kiddush is the hallmark of a Jewish community.

In this week’s reading, Naso, you may find yourself marveling at its length (spoiler alert: it is the longest, at 176 verses) and wonder what extended thesis Moses wanted to impart on the fledgling Jewish nation.

For the one who reads the Torah, however, it is a simple task: the majority of verses toward the end seem to be an almost identical reading. Twelve times, that is.

Upon culminating the inauguration of their new beloved Mishkan (Temple) in the desert, Moses told of G-d command that each of the 12 tribes send one representative to bring an exact formula of offering