With the recent visit of King Charles to Ottawa, one naturally begins to think about lineage and ancestry. We can almost picture the long line of Kings and Queens that date back hundreds of years. Royalty and titles are inherited, not necessarily earned. Yet, ancestry does not automatically entitle you to honour and respect.
As we begin the book of Bamidbar, the Torah records the counting of the Jewish people. The count was done by Moshe and Aharon in the presence of the Tribal leaders. Hashem tells Moshe “and with you shall be one man from each tribe, each man should be the head of his family.”
Rabbi Zelig Pliskin quotes an interesting homiletic interpretation to the verse. He cites the story of a boorish ignorant person who is arguing with a wise scholar. The boor says “I come from an illustrious family. Your ancestors are nothing compared to mine.” The scholar responded, “it is true that you come from a great family, but the line of great people in your family ends with you. My family tree begins with me.”
This is how to understand our verse. Being the head of his family means that every person should be the head of their family lineage. You can be the beginning of the future of your family’s distinguished future. Become the greatest person you can be on your own, not merely as a descendant of great ancestors. Each one of us has the ability and responsibility to become great in our own right. Make yourself into someone who your children and grandchildren will be proud of.
Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Shaps and the JET Team
