Towards the beginning of Parshas Bamidbar (2:2), the pasuk says, “Bnei Yisroel shall encamp, each man by his flag (banner) according to the insignias of their fathers’ household...” In addition to the census that begins Sefer Bamidbar, the Torah describes the method and order by which Bnei Yisroel travelled in the Midbar. The 12 shevotim [tribes] were divided into four camps. Each camp had its own flag. Today there are some who might think that the idea of a flag is a Gentile concept. However, we see that on the contrary, this idea has roots in the Torah. Each tribe had its own flag and each of the four camps had its own flag.
The Medrash in Bamidbar Rabbah states that the Ribbono Shel Olam demonstrated great love for the nation of Klal Yisroel by making them flags like those of the ministering angels, so that they might be easily recognizable. “And from where do we know,” the Medrash continues, “that this was such a great demonstration of love for the Jewish people?” The Medrash cites the pasuk in Shir HaShirim [2:4]: “He brought me to the chamber of Torah delights and clustered my encampments about Him in love.” (Heviani l’beis hayayin v’Diglo alai ahavah).
The Medrash further states that when Hashem revealed Himself on Har Sinai, there were 22 myriads of malochim [angels] with him and all of the malachim had flags (as is written — “Dagul m’revava” (Shir HaShirim 5:10)). When the Jews saw that the malochim had flags, they too had a strong desire for flags. They said, “If only we too could have flags like the malochim.” Hashem then swore to them that the time would come when they too would have flags. That time came in Parshas Bamidbar, when the shevotim and encampments were each assigned flags (degolim).
A flag is a very physical item. Malochim are entirely spiritual. Why would malochim need flags? Furthermore, what was the strong desire that the Jews had for flags? The Nesivos Shalom writes that flags demonstrate the mission (tachlis) of every single group. This is true. We are not necessarily very conscious of the military, but think about it: The army has its own flag, the navy has its own flag, the air force has its own flag. Every branch of the service has its own flag. Every flag somehow identifies what the unit or group is all about.
When Chazal say the malochim came down with flags, it is a way of saying that every maloch has its own mission and purpose of existence. The flag demonstrates what the maloch is all about. This also explains the tremendous passion that Klal Yisroel had for flags. When the Jews saw the flags that proclaimed that every maloch had a mission and purpose they proclaimed “Halevai [if only] we too would have such flags!”
Is there anything greater that a person wants out of life other than to know what his ‘tafkid’ [mission] is and what his purpose is and what he should do with his life? They strongly desired something which would testify to the fact that each of them had a defined purpose, as was the case with the malochim. The Ribbono Shel Olam responded “Yes. Every shevet will have its flag. Every camp will have its flag. “Even though physically, every Jew does not walk around with his own personal flag, he does have his ‘tafkid’ [mission]. He has his purpose. That is what the flags are all about.
This is perhaps why Parshas Bamidbar always precedes Shavuos. The halachah teaches: “Manu V’atzru” – Count then observe the Yom Tov of Atzeres. First experience Parshas Bamidbar and then experience Shavuos. One of the conditions of receiving the Torah was that “Klal Yisroel encamped (singular verb) opposite the mountain.” When the Ribbono Shel Olam saw that Klal Yisroel rejected disputes and loved one another, He concluded that the time had arrived to give them the Torah. Unity amongst Klal Yisroel is a prerequisite for Kabolas haTorah. There cannot be competition and jealousy. There cannot be “I want this guy’s job. I want this thing. I want that thing. “People will not be jealous of one another if they know they are fulfilling their purpose in life. In order for that to be true, they must know why they are here and what purpose they are fulfilling. Only when there is confusion of personal mission does dispute enter into the picture.
Therefore, first count, then celebrate Atzeres. When we learn the lesson of the flags — that every maloch has his purpose and every Jew has his purpose (every Jew counts) — then we can arrive at Kabbalas HaTorah [receiving the Torah]. (R’ Frand)
