In Parshas Bamidbar, we read about the arrangement of the tribes of Klal Yisrael in the desert, each encamped under its own flag. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 2:3) teaches that this concept of encampments under flags originated with a vision at Matan Torah: "When Hashem gave the Torah, twenty-two thousand angels descended with Him, all arranged in camps, each with flags. Klal Yisrael saw them and desired flags. Hashem said, ‘They desire flags? I will fulfill their desire." What did Klal Yisrael see in the arrangement of the angles that was so inspirational and what is the significance of the flags? The Meor Vashemesh explains that Klal Yisrael was moved by the order and individuality of the angels. Each malach had its own place, purpose, and mission — yet they were all harmoniously unified in service of Hashem. Klal Yisrael longed for that same clarity of identity and purpose. The flag, in this view, represents the unique role of each tribe, and by extension, each individual Jew. This is a powerful message for us: Everyone has a place in Klal Yisrael. Even if our strengths are different , whether in Torah, chessed, prayer, leadership, or creativity, each person’s contribution is essential to the collective mission. However, the Sfas Emes (5635) offers a different interpretation of the Midrash. The Sfas Emes sees the flag not merely a sign of where one is, but a banner pointing to something higher, a connection to something beyond the self. There are various natural levels of capabilities granted to the different forms of creations that exist in the world. The flags carried by Klal Yisrael represent that we are not capped by the capabilities granted to us, but we have the ability to connect directly to Hashem. The Sfas Emes cites the continuation of the Midrash that interprets the word דגל like the word דיגול, skipping or jumping. Through a yearning to come close to Hashem, one can leap beyond their natural place, beyond their predetermined borders.
In Parshat Yisro it says there was a boundary erected around Sinai so that people would not scale the mountain. The Panim Yavos says it wasn't a physical boundary, but a boundary of extreme spirituality. Why should people be restrained from going up the mountain if there was a greater kedusha present there? Sometimes, a person can reach too high, too fast. If one attempts to connect to levels of holiness beyond their current capacity, it can become overwhelming and cause destruction. Growth that is not balanced can be dangerous.
Chazal say the gentiles were offered the Torah and they refused because they felt they couldn’t stand up to the commandments. Klal Yisroel accepted the Torah and that’s why they are the chosen nation. The Sfas Emes asks why is Klal Yisrael given such credit for accepting the Torah, there was nothing in the Torah against Klal Yisroel’s nature? He answers that what went against the nature of Klal Yisroel was to be contained within the boundary. The nature of a Jews to climb higher and higher, to be contained is something a Jew has a hard time dealing with. Since they listened to the commandment not to scale the mountain, it was proof that they would accept Hashem’s word even when it went against their nature.
The two approaches in Midrash, although contradictory, are like most other things, the dualism necessary to find equilibrium. On the one hand one has to know their place, be honest as to what their capabilities are but at the same time one can't feel complacent but must push themselves to expand their boundaries. For a person to suddenly attempt to finish Shas every year when one is accustomed to learning daf yomi, that would probably be jumping beyond one's capabilities. That would be going beyond the boundary, up the mountain. But after one has gone through a few cycles of daf yomi, it may be feasible for a person to try to push the boundary a little, to maybe add some depth to the study, or adding to one's learning in another format. Is one supposed to find their place and say I will not go further, not scale the mountain or should one push to grow beyond their place? Both. Find your place. Know your identity. But never stop yearning for more.
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