Unique Yet Equal

One of the main topics of parashat Naso is the description of the contributions of the tribal princes upon the dedication of the altar in the Tabernacle. Interestingly, this is the second set of offerings made by the princes, yet the Torah describes each differently. The first set of contributions was upon the dedication of the Tabernacle. The Torah summarizes the princes' gifts, tallying them up in one sentence and giving the total number of oxen, wagons etc. which were donated. Subsequently, at the dedication of the altar, each prince's contribution is individually described in a series of verses despite the fact that each donation was identical!

The Lubavitcher Rebbe explains how from this we learn two components of the Jewish people. On the one hand are the qualities every Jew shares - we are all G‑d's children, have a divine soul, etc. This is exemplified in the donations made at the Tabernacle's dedication, in which the gifts are totaled in one sentence. In this case, there is no need to specify details because each tribe is similar to the other. On the other hand, the contributions made at the altar's dedication represent the uniqueness of each tribe and each Jew, and therefore each tribe's gifts are listed separately. Even still, this seemingly redundant listing of gifts may seem unnecessary if each tribe gave the exact same items. However, the fact that the gifts were identical further proves the point: while each prince performed the same deed, the spiritual factors and intentions involved behind the act were very different. In the spiritual realm, each tribe is a whole and unique entity unto itself, and the spiritual intent behind each prince's gift was individualized to his particular tribe.

Rashi explains many of the esoteric meanings significant to the offerings the princes brought. For example: the numeric value of the words "silver bowl" is 930, corresponding to the years of Adam's life. The bowl's weight was 130 corresponding to Noah's age when he began having children. "One spoon" relates to the Torah that was given to us by G‑d's palm ["hand", in Hebrew, "caf"] is the same as the Hebrew word for "spoon". The spoon's weight was 10 measures in gold, paralleling the Ten Commandments. Other offerings correspond to the Forefathers, etc. The emphasis in all of this symbolism is that there are lofty spiritual devotions relating to each of the offerings, and that each tribal prince had different holy intentions for the contribution he made, even though the physical act was the same.

So too, every Jew performs mitzvot. Millions of Jews go through the same motions and recite the same words in daily service of G‑d. We are equally commanded to have mezuzahs, eat kosher food, make Kiddush, etc., and on an exterior level, we do these mitzvahs in sync with everyone else. Yet each Jew is a unique individual with a different soul, personality, etc. The challenge of a certain mitzvah may come easily to his next-door neighbor. The joy of learning a certain realm of Torah may be a labor for his friend. (Keep this in mind before you judge someone else!) Each Jew has a different make-up, spiritual purpose and directions. The beauty is that even within the diversity of our intentions, our actions unify us as Jews. Take pride in being part of the Jewish people and appreciate yourself for the unique being G‑d has made you.