The book of Numbers, in the Torah, gives us a fascinating glimpse when it describes how the Israelites camped in the wilderness. But it's not just a dry description; it’s a symbolic map of the universe!
Chapter 2 of Bamidbar (Numbers), starts with this: "Those who encamp to the east, the banner of the camp of Judah, according to their hosts, and the prince of the children of Judah is Nahshon, son of Aminadav." Seems straightforward. But Bamidbar Rabbah, a classical collection of Midrashic (rabbinic interpretive commentary) interpretations, takes this simple verse and explodes it with meaning.
The key, according to the Midrash, lies in the verse, "The Lord founded the earth with wisdom, [established the heavens with understanding]" (Proverbs 3:19). The Holy One, blessed be He, created the four directions – east, west, north, and south – each with its unique properties. East is where light emerges, West holds the storehouses of snow and hail, South brings dews and rains of blessing, and North… well, North is where darkness comes from.
And here's where it gets really interesting. Just as God created these four directions, He also surrounded His Throne with four beasts. Corresponding to these, He arranged the banners of the tribes for Moses.
So, what's the connection? God tells Moses that the east, the source of light, corresponds to Judah, the tribe destined for kingship. As it says, "Those who encamp to the east, the banner of the camp of Judah" (Numbers 2:3). With Judah are the tribes of Issachar, possessors of Torah wisdom ("From the children of Issachar, possessors of understanding of the times" - (1 Chronicles 12:3)3), and Zebulun, possessors of wealth ("Zebulun [will dwell] at the seashore, [and he shall be a shore for ships]" - (Genesis 49:1)3).
The Midrash emphasizes Judah's primacy. Judah is first in encampment, first in travel ("They shall travel first" - Numbers 2:9), first in offerings ("The one who presented [his offering on the first day was Nahshon, son of Aminadav, of the tribe of Judah]" - (Numbers 7:1)2), and first in war ("Who will ascend first against the Canaanites for us…? The Lord said: Judah will ascend" - (Judges 1:1)–2). Even when the herald comes to announce redemption, Judah will hear the news first ("The feet of the herald are upon the mountains, announcing peace. Celebrate your feasts, Judah" - Nahum 2:1).
The south, the direction of blessing, corresponds to Reuben, the tribe of repentance. "The banner of the camp of Reuben is to the south…" (Numbers 2:10). Repentance is powerful, because God's mercy comes upon those who turn back to Him. With Reuben are Gad, known for their warriors ("Gad will wage war by regiment" - (Genesis 49:1)9), and Simeon, positioned to atone for past sins.
Moving westward, where the storehouses of snow and hail reside, we find Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin. These tribes, the Midrash suggests, can withstand the "snow and hail"—the harsh judgments of the world. "Rouse Your might before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh" (Psalms 80:3). Furthermore, the Divine Presence, the Shekhinah (the Divine Presence), is always in the west, on the border of Benjamin, as it is stated: "Of Benjamin he said: The beloved, [the Lord will dwell in safety with him; He covers over him all the day, and He rests between his shoulders]" (Deuteronomy 33:12).
Finally, the north, the direction of darkness, corresponds to the tribe of Dan. Why Dan? Because, the Midrash says, they brought darkness into the world through idol worship. Yerovam, a king of Israel, crafted two golden calves, and the tribe of Dan was the first to embrace this idolatry ("The king consulted, and he crafted two golden calves…and he placed one in Dan" - (1 (Kings 12:2)8)–29). But even in darkness, there is hope. With Dan are the tribes of Asher, who illuminate the darkness ("Blessed…and he dips his foot in oil" - (Deuteronomy 33:2)4), and Naphtali, who provides sustenance.
The Midrash concludes with a beautiful parallel. Just as God created four directions and four corresponding banners, He also surrounded His throne with four angels: Mikhael, Gavriel, Uriel, and Refael. Each angel corresponds to a direction and a tribe, embodying the qualities associated with them.
Mikhael, corresponding to Reuben in the south, embodies God’s question: "Who is like You [mikhamokha]" (Exodus 15:11)? Uriel, corresponding to Dan in the north, brings light to the darkness through Torah. Gavriel, corresponding to Judah in the east, embodies strength and leadership. And Refael, corresponding to Ephraim in the west, heals the breaches and wounds of the world.
So, what does this all mean? It's more than just a history lesson. It's a reminder that everything is connected. The physical world, the spiritual realm, the tribes of Israel, even the angels themselves – all are interwoven in a cosmic tapestry, reflecting God's wisdom and understanding. And perhaps, within this ancient map, we can find our own place, our own direction, and our own potential to bring light into the world.
“Those who encamp to the east, the banner of the camp of Judah, according to their hosts, and the prince of the children of Judah is Nahsḥon, son of Aminadav” (Numbers 2:3). “Those who encamp to the east, the banner of the camp of Judah…,” that is what is written: “The Lord founded the earth with wisdom, [established the heavens with understanding]” (Proverbs 3:19). The Holy One blessed be He created the four directions of the world: east, west, north, and south. East, from there light emerges to the world. West, the storehouses of snow, the storehouses of hail, cold, and heat emerge to the world. South, dews of blessing and rains of blessing emerge to the world. North, from there, darkness emerges to the world. Similarly, He surrounded His Throne with four beasts and, above them all, the Throne of Glory. Corresponding to them,15The four directions. the Holy One blessed be He arranged the banners for Moses. The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Moses, the east from which light emerges to the world, Judah will correspond to it, as he is the possessor of the kingdom, as it is stated: “Those who encamp to the east, the banner of the camp of Judah” (Numbers 2:3). With it, the tribe of Issachar, which is a possessor of Torah, as it is stated: “From the children of Issachar, possessors of understanding of the times” (I Chronicles 12:33). Likewise it says: “And those who encamp with it, the tribe of Issachar” (Numbers 2:5). With it Zebulun, which is a possessor of wealth, as it is written: “Zebulun [will dwell] at the seashore, [and he shall be a shore for ships]” (Genesis 49:13). Likewise it says: “The tribe of Zebulun…” (Numbers 2:7). “All those counted for the camp of Judah…they shall travel first [rishona]” (Numbers 2:9), as the Torah is called rosh: “I was crowned from the distant past [merosh]” (Proverbs 8:23),16Torah here is a reference to Issachar. and it says: “For in the shadow of wisdom, in the shadow of money” (Ecclesiastes 7:12),17Money here is a reference to Zebulun. and it says: “Their king passed before them and the Lord is at their head” (Micah 2:13).18The king is a reference to Judah. You find that everywhere Judah is first: first for encampment, as it is stated: “Those who encamp [to the east, the banner of the camp of Judah]” – first for travel. As it is stated: “They shall travel first” (Numbers 2:9). For offerings, Judah is first, as it is stated: “The one who presented [his offering on the first day was Naḥshon, son of Aminadav, of the tribe of Judah]” (Numbers 7:12). For war, Judah is first, as it is stated: “Who will ascend first against the Canaanites for us…? The Lord said: Judah will ascend” (Judges 1:1–2). And one verse says: “The Lord said: Judah first” (Judges 20:18). When the herald19Who will announce the redemption of Israel. comes, Judah will receive the tidings first, as it is stated: “The feet of the herald are upon the mountains, announcing peace. Celebrate your feasts, Judah” (Nahum 2:1). That is from the east. The south, dews of blessing and rains of blessing emerge from it to the world. The tribe of Reuben will correspond to it, as he is a penitent. Penitence is a fine attribute, and the mercy of the Holy One blessed be He comes upon people when they repent. That is what is written: “The banner of the camp of Reuben is to the south…” (Numbers 2:10). With it, Gad, which was the possessor of a regiment, as it is stated: “Gad will wage war by regiment” (Genesis 49:19); Reuben with repentance, Gad with power, and Simeon in the middle to atone for it.20For the sin done with the daughters of Midyan at the Shitim (Number 25:1–9, 14–15). That is what is written: “And those who encamp with it, the tribe of Simeon” (Numbers 2:12), “and the tribe of Gad” (Numbers 2:14), “all those counted of the camp of Reuben…they shall travel second” (Numbers 2:16), as penitence is second to the Torah. After these two banners traveled, the Levites would transport the Tabernacle; that is what is written: “The Tent of Meeting, the Levite camp, shall travel [in the midst of the camps]” (Numbers 2:17). West, the storehouses of snow, the storehouses of hail, cold, and heat, and corresponding to them, Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin. Who can withstand snow and hail? It is Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin, as it is stated: “Rouse Your might before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh” (Psalms 80:3). The Divine Presence is always in the west, on the border of Benjamin, as it is stated: “Of Benjamin he said: The beloved, [the Lord will dwell in safety with him; He covers over him all the day, and He rests between his shoulders]” (Deuteronomy 33:12). That is what is written: “The banner of the camp of Ephraim according to their hosts is to the west…” (Numbers 2:18), “with it, the tribe of Manasseh…” (Numbers 2:20), “and the tribe of Benjamin, and the prince…” (Numbers 2:22), “all those counted for the camp [of Ephraim]…they shall travel third (Numbers 2:24). Strength is fitting for Torah and repentance, so that a person will strengthen himself in Torah and overcome his evil inclination. North, from there darkness emerges to the world, and corresponding to it, the tribe of Dan. Why? It is because it brought darkness to the world with idol worship. Yerovam crafted two golden calves, and idol worship is darkness, as it is stated: “Their actions are in the dark” (Isaiah 29:15). Yerovam circulated throughout Israel and it was only the tribe of Dan that accepted it from him, as it is stated: “The king consulted, and he crafted two golden calves…and he placed one in Dan” (I Kings 12:28–29). That is why the Holy One blessed be He commanded that Dan would encamp in the north. That is what is written: “The banner of the camp of Dan is to the north…” (Numbers 2:25). With it, the tribe of Asher, which illuminates the darkness, as it is stated: “And of Asher he said: Blessed…and he dips his foot in oil”21Oil is used to light up the darkness. (Deuteronomy 33:24). Likewise it says: “And those who encamp with it, the tribe of Asher” (Numbers 2:27). With it, Naphtali, who is filled with blessing in order to provide sustenance, just as it is written: “Naphtali, his desire is satisfied, [and full with the blessing of the Lord]” (Deuteronomy 33:23). Likewise it says: “and the tribe of Naphtali” (Numbers 2:29). “All those counted for the camp of Dan…they shall travel last by their banners (Numbers 2:31), as anyone who engages in idol worship goes backward and not forward. That is why it is stated: “The Lord founded the earth with wisdom, established the heavens with understanding”(Proverbs 3:19). Just as the Holy One blessed be He created four directions and four banners corresponding to them, so, too, He surrounded His throne with four angels: Mikhael, Gavriel, Uriel, and Refael. Mikhael was to His right, corresponding to Reuben. Why is his name called Mikhael? When Israel crossed the sea, Moses broke out in song: “Who is like You [mikhamokha]” (Exodus 15:11). When he concluded the Torah, he said: “Yeshurun, there is none like God [ein kael]” (Deuteronomy 33:26). Mi khamokha, ein kael, that is Mikhael. Uriel to his left, corresponding to Dan that was in the north. Why is his name called Uriel? It is because of the Torah, Prophets, and Writings with which the Holy One blessed be He atones for it,22For the tribe of Dan. and illuminates for Israel, as it is stated: “Arise, shine [ori], for your light has come [and the glory of the Lord has shone upon you]” (Isaiah 60:1). And David said: “The Lord is God [el], He has illuminated for us” (Psalms 118:27); that is Uriel. Likewise, it says: “Though I sit in darkness, the Lord is a light for me” (Micah 7:8). Gavriel before Him, corresponding to the kingdom of Judah, Moses, and Aaron, who were in the east.23The directions are defined relative to somebody facing east. Therefore, the front is east, the back is west, to the left is north and to the right is south. Why was his name called Gavriel? Regarding Judah, it is written: “For Judah prevailed [gavar] over his brothers” (I Chronicles 5:2), and regarding Moses, it is written: “He called to Moses” (Leviticus 1:1), and it is written: “He called his name Pele Yoetz El Gibor” (Isaiah 9:5). That is Gavriel. Refael, corresponding to Ephraim. Why was his name called Refael? It was in order to heal [lerapot] the breach of Yerovam, who emerged from Ephraim that is in the west. “God [el], please, heal [refa] her now” (Numbers 12:13).
