In Parshas Beha’alotcha, we encounter the famous statement that is recited each time we open the aron kodesh: “Vayehi binso’a ha’aron” (Bamidbar 10:35). In the Torah, this paragraph is separated by two inverted letter nuns, “נ”. The Gemara in Shabbos (116) explains that this parsha is cordoned off to highlight that it is its own book. The question then arises: Why specifically is the letter nun used to separate this paragraph? What significance can we derive from the use of the letter nun rather than any other letter of the alphabet? In addition, why is the letter inverted? If the sole purpose is to form a separation, the letter in its upright position should have sufficed.
Rabbi Norman Lamm, z”l, in his book Drashot L’Dorot, offers a deep insight with a message that truly permeates the generations. Rabbi Lamm cites a Midrash HaNe’elam (Kabbalistic sefer connected to the Zohar) that states that the letter nun is so significant that Yaakov used it when he blessed his children “ve’yidgu larov,” “Let them be plentiful” (Bereishis 48:6). The word yidgu is derived from the Hebrew word dag, which means fish. In Aramaic, another word for fish is nun. Therefore, the Targum interprets Yaakov’s blessing to his children to be as fruitful as the fish of the sea, which multiply exponentially.
Rabbi Lamm extends this interpretation and explains that if nun means fish, then our inverted nuns come to symbolize fish swimming upstream, in the “inverted” direction. Its relevance to the paragraph of “Vayehi binso’a ha’aron” is critical. When carrying forward the Torah, one must be willing, ready, and able to go against the tide, as it were, and swim against the current when faced with influences that are inconsistent with Torah principles. One must dare to be different if necessary and not blend into the surroundings. When we witness Western civilization or even fellow Jews violating the sacred ideals of Judaism, we must become the “nunim hafuchim” and not fear our upstream mentality in defense of the moral and ethical precepts of the Torah.
Similarly, Moshe is known by several names, yet he is most popularly referred to as Moshe. This name symbolizes “Ki min hamayim mishisihu.” Essentially, he was “pulled from the water.” Typically, water conforms to and assumes the shape of the object into which it is inserted. Moshe was not a conformist. He was “pulled” from the water. Moshe stood up for justice. He was not afraid to express his opinion and defend his ideals in any surrounding. Moshe knew when and how to swim upstream.
This message resonates throughout Jewish history and, in particular, in our generation. Given modern technology, Western culture infiltrates our homes. We need to be steadfast and ensure that our Torah is not compromised. We must be strong enough to go against the tide when outside influences seek to dilute our moral and ethical principles. The inverted nuns surrounding Vayehi binso’a ha’aron serve to remind us of this most important task, the uncompromising way in which the Torah is to be carried by us along our every journey.
RABBI SHALOM ROSNER
