One chieftain Nasi each day, one chieftain Nasi each day, shall present his offering for the dedication of the altar. The one who brought his offering on the first day was Nachshon the son of Amminadav of the tribe of Yehuda. On the second day, Nesanel the son of Zu'ar, the chieftain of Yissachar brought his offering. And so forth there were ten other Nesiim who offered their personal sacrifices for the first twelve days of Chodesh Nissan. The Meforshim ask: We see that the Korbanos of the twelve chieftains were identical. Why does the Torah have to repeat the identical information about each chieftain twelve times? There are many laws that are mentioned in just a few words. Yet here, the Torah goes to great lengths! The Torah does not suffice with detailing the offerings of the first tribe and then telling us that the others did the same. Instead, it goes through the details of each tribe’s offering, one by one.
The Ramban in Parshas Naso reveals a fascinating insight: It is in order to offer proper respect to each of the representatives of the tribes. Had the Torah described just the offerings of the first one and merely said afterwards, “And so did the rest of the Nesi’im,” it would be lacking in attributing full honor to the others. In order to offer prime honor to each of the Nesi’im, the Torah went out of its way to repeat the same sacrifices again and again. Hence, even though when it comes to many commandments which Chazal derive from limited words, but when it comes to honoring others, the Torah elaborates with repetition. Hagaon Rav Yechezkel Levinstein in his Sefer Ohr Yechezkel, on Middos p. 119 derives from here an awesome lesson in giving respect. Certainly, any mention in the Torah of the Nesi’im’s deeds would be a tremendous honor, even if given collectively. Nevertheless, The Torah would not suffice with this. The Torah makes a point to write at great length about each Nasi separately, in order to afford high honor to each of them. We see from here what kind of significance the Torah attributes to making sure to respect others. Obviously, this is a powerful lesson that we too are obligated to go to great lengths to respect others, and certainly to avoid shaming someone. It is told that Hagaon Rav Yitzchok Hutner once counseled someone who sought his advice in how to cheer up a depressed friend, “Give him a heaping plate of food and a heaping trayful of honor.” Everyone enjoys being honored!
The Gaon Rav Yehuda Assad a talmid of Chasam Sofer, gives a unique twist, and answers: If the Torah would only mention one Nasi, and then state that the same sacrifice was brought by each of the other Nesiim, this might cause that Nasi to have pride, and be haughty if he was the only Nasi mentioned by name. Shlomo Hamelech has stern words in Mishlei 16:5: Every haughty person is an abomination to Hashem; Assuredly, he will not go unpunished. Therefore, Hashem didn’t want to put a Nasi to the test, and repeated the sacrifices for all. Additionally, the Navi Yeshaya 57:15 says: For so said the High and Exalted One, Who dwells to eternity, and His name is Holy, "With the lofty and the holy ones I dwell, and with the crushed and humble in spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the crushed." When Hashem has to dwell on the Nasi when he brings the sacrifice, that Nasi must be humble in spirit.
The lessons from the commentators are powerful, and command us to show respect and honor for one another. Besides it can be a tremendous Chesed, as said by Rav Hutner, by showing honor and uplifting a person, that will give encouragement, and give them the boost to become elevated spiritually. The whole purpose of Kabolas HaTorah was unity. At the time that the nation received the Torah, the people stood at Har Sinai with a tremendous sense of unity, as the verse states (Shmos 19:2): And Yisroel camped there opposite the mountain, Rashi states: As one man, with one heart." They were all one united entity. This can be another answer, why the sacrifices of the Nasi were repeated, in order to bring unity amongst them.
(Yehuda Z. Klitnick)
