Journey of the Large & Inverted ‘Nun” Parashat Beha’alotkha

Parashat Be-ha’alotekha takes us back to the Israelites’ journey in the wilderness, as first recounted at the beginning of the Book of Numbers,  it marks the onset of the Israelites’ wanderings, also describes their order of march.

We then come to two verses that are enclosed by the letter nun, large and inverted, on either side, seemingly like parentheses. “When the Ark was to set out, Moses would say: ‘Advance O Lord. May your enemies be scattered! And may Your foes flee before You.’ And when it halted, he would say: ‘Return O Lord, You who are Israel’s myriads of thousands’” (Num. 10: 35–36).

Why is this particular passage uniquely marked and inserted at this point in the Israelites’ travel-log and not at the beginning of the Book of Numbers.

Avner Moriah’s painting for this parasha hints at the answer. We are invited here to join the tribes in the challenging trips in the desert. 

Avner Moria: Beha’alotcha

The picture we see here describes  the Israelites’ march: “When the Ark was to set out.”

The painting is divided into two registers to be followed from right to left, top to bottom. Against a white non-background amorphous space we see the marching tribes advancing on a very narrow brown band, alluding to the transitory nature of their wanderings. They have left the safety of their encampment and are now moving on ‘each in position’ in a much more exposed way to all the dangers of travel in the hostile lands of the wilderness. Moreover, the Israelites are out of sight of the Tabernacle and the other tribes.

The portrayal on the far right of the top register is the Tabernacle with the cloud of God rising above it. The tribe of Judah is leading the march; then we see four priests dressed in red striped gowns, which distinguish the Levites from the other tribes, followed by the tribe of Reuven. The priests are carrying the Ark on their shoulders by means of the permanently attached staves (badim). The winged cherubim on the Ark cover are facing each other. The lower register continues the procession showing the tribes of Ephraim and Dan ahead and behind two wagons being pulled by oxen, which are carrying the other Tabernacle furnishings.

This scene of the continuing procession hints at Moses’ prayer as the journey begins and the strongly felt need for God’s protection for the people marching with the Ark. Moses approaches the holy Ark and entreats God to “Rise up” (kuma) along with the cloud and scatter the Israelites’ enemies, who are also His enemies. The marked passage’s concluding verse implores God again to “Return” (shuva), that is, to rest and reside among the nation of the many thousands of Israelites who with His help will swell in numbers.

The content and embracing frame of Numbers 10:35–36 imply that Moses like people do today when going on a trip say TEFILAT HADERECH. So did Moses repeated this prayer every time the ark set out on a journey and then rested.

Interestingly, in today’s synagogue services, the first verse is recited when a Torah scroll is taken out of the Ark and the second verse is said when the scroll is returned. Thus, we join Moses in uttering the important plea to God to keep protecting us.

(cover and inserted Nun image: via Wikicommons  CCO 1.0 UPDD, by Netanel)