Shabbat Messages

Are you more “right-brained” or “left-brained?” If you don’t know what that means, I will give you a hint by stating, I am a total “right-sided” brain person: creative, artistic, emotional, imaginative. I am drawn to metaphorical prose, flowery language, and dramatic literature.

This week’s Torah portion, Bamidbar, does not necessarily fall within that wheelhouse. Starting out the Book of Numbers, the parshat is literally shrouded in, well, numbers—beginning with God telling Moses to take a census of the Israelites while traveling through the wilderness. The chapter is filled with very literal commands, accounting statistics, and factual lists of family names and lineages. It’s all very analytical, logical, and linear; which is exactly how one could describe “left-sided” brain thinkers.

What’s fascinating however, is that hidden within this Torah portion, God might have seemingly acknowledged the very real difference between these two brain-thinkers. Though God tells Moses to count all of the men ages 20 years and older, God specifically instructs the group of the Levites to be excluded from the census. While all the other men from the tribes are being counted to “bear arms,” the Levites were tasked with being in charge of the Tabernacle. Specifically, the Levites were now put in charge of transporting, setting up, and altogether serving the Sanctuary.

While that may not immediately indicate a differentiation between left-sided and right-sided brain thinking, the Levitical lineage might shed some light on this difference: the institution of the cantor evolved from the role of the Levites serving the Sanctuary. Yes, you read that right: the job of the cantor descends from the Levites!

By God singling out the Levites in this Torah portion to serve the functions of the holy Tabernacle, God seemingly paved the way for this group to undertake a deeper function of the Sanctuary: using music and artistic expression to bring spiritual elevation to the congregation.

The transition of this occurred gradually after the Israelites reached the Promised Land and created the holy Temple, with King David appointing the Levites, who already knew the inner workings of the Sanctuary, to also play musical instruments and sing during the daily services. Though not every modern cantor is from Levitical descent, the first hazzans all were, leaning on their creative and artistic skills to serve in this adapted role.

So while the text of Bamidbar might appeal to the “left-sided” brain readers who appreciate the direct and logistical nature of the chapter, “right-sided” brain individuals are not forgotten within this parshat either. While some may argue that God may seem to be disregarding or diminishing the Levites, I take from it the very important lesson that there’s a role for everyone within the community; it’s just as important to have people that can serve with their strength as it is those that can serve with their creativity.

I’m eternally grateful to serve a community that values the artistic expression I bring through my devotion and musical abilities, and, I’m very grateful to lean on the brilliant “left-brained” thinkers who are much more equipped with numbers.

Shabbat Shalom U’Mevorach,
Cantor Aliya Stuart