Take, for example, the book of Numbers, or Bamidbar in Hebrew, specifically chapter 7, verse 3. It describes the offerings brought by the princes of Israel for the Tabernacle: "They brought their offering before the Lord, six covered carts and twelve bulls, a cart for every two princes and an ox for each one, and they brought them before the Tabernacle." Seems straightforward, right? But in Bamidbar Rabbah 12, the Rabbis unpack this verse, revealing layers of meaning that connect it to the very fabric of creation and kingship.
The text states: “They brought their offering before the Lord, six covered carts…” – and then the interpretations begin to unfurl. The number "six," for instance, corresponds to so much more than just a numerical value. According to the Midrash, it echoes the six days of Creation, a powerful link to the foundation of the world. It also corresponds to the six orders of the Mishna, the foundation of the Oral Torah.
But it doesn't stop there. The number six also corresponds to the matriarchs: Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, Leah, Bilha, and Zilpa. Why these women in particular? Perhaps because they are considered foundational to the Jewish people, just as the six days of creation are foundational to the world.
And there's still more! The number six also corresponds to the six commandments that a king is reminded of daily. These aren't just any commandments, but specific limitations placed on royal power, reminding the king to remain humble and just. "He shall not amass wives... only he shall not amass horses... and silver and gold he shall not amass greatly... You shall not distort judgment, you shall not give preference, and you shall not take a bribe" (Deuteronomy 17:16-17, 16:19).
The Midrash paints a vivid picture: imagine the king's throne, ascended by six stairs. As he steps onto each stair, a herald proclaims one of these commandments, a constant reminder of his responsibilities. “There were six stairs to the throne” (II Chronicles 9:18). The Zohar adds that the steps weren't to the side, but directly facing the chair, making the king confront these limitations head-on. On the first stair the herald would emerge and say to him: “He shall not amass wives.” And so on up the steps.
Even the physical details of the throne were symbolic. A golden scepter with a dove holding a crown hovered just above his head, “armrests on this side and on that side on the place of the seat” (II Chronicles 9:18). It was a constant, tangible reminder that his power was not absolute, that there was always something higher. The crown would just barely touch his head.
The "six carts" themselves are also rich with symbolism, corresponding to the six firmaments. But wait, aren't there seven firmaments? Ah, but "where the King is, is more significant," the Midrash tells us. The six firmaments correspond to the stairs, and the seventh, to the throne, a place reserved for God.
The word used for "covered carts," tzav, sparks even more interpretations. What is tzav? Some say they resemble palanquins, like covered turtles. Rabbi Yishmael suggests tzav means "colored" (from the Hebrew word tzeva, meaning color). Others, that they were well-designed (from tzava, meaning organized in formation), lacking nothing. Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi says tzav means curved, like curved roofs, referencing Isaiah 66:20. Rabbi Shimon understands tzav as "attached," like wagons with coverings attached, referencing Isaiah 49:22. Rabbi Nehemya even compares their color, ketzivo, to that of the firmament.
Finally, we arrive at the "twelve bulls." These, of course, correspond to the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve constellations. But why a cart for every two princes and an ox for each one? Why not split it evenly? The Rabbis suggest a practical reason: fear that if one tribe's cart broke or their ox died, they would be left without a contribution to the Tabernacle.
So, what do we take away from this deep dive into a single verse? It’s a reminder that the Torah is not just a collection of stories and laws, but a multi-layered tapestry woven with symbolism and meaning. It's an invitation to look beyond the surface and discover the profound connections between the physical world, the spiritual realm, and our own lives. Next time you encounter a seemingly simple verse, remember the story of the six covered carts and twelve bulls, and ask yourself: What other hidden depths might I uncover?