The Book of Numbers, Ba’midbar in Hebrew, occupies a unique place in the narrative of the Israelites’ journey from slavery to freedom. Its Hebrew name means “in the desert” and it is filled with paradoxes—between structure and disorder, obedience and rebellion, clarity and confusion.

The desert, or wilderness, is inherently chaotic. It is a place of uncertainty, danger, and vulnerability. For the Israelites, the desert was where they wandered for 40 years. There they faced hunger, thirst, and fear, and it also was in this desolate space that their faith was tested repeatedly.

In the Torah, the desert is a liminal space—neither Egypt nor Canaan—where their identity was not yet fully formed and the future remained uncertain. Their seemingly aimless wandering is echoed in our own lives when we feel lost, challenged, or uncertain about what lies ahead.

In stark contrast to this chaotic backdrop, the Book of Numbers begins with a census, a detailed and methodical accounting of the Israelite tribes. Every tribe is counted, named, and given a specific role. The camp is organized with precision, the Levites are assigned duties in the Tabernacle, and rituals and laws are outlined meticulously. This structure brings a sense of order to an otherwise chaotic journey. It teaches that even in the midst of unpredictability, there can be a framework—a Divine order that guides and sustains. And we are reminded that every soul matters.

Our journeys, both individual and communal, share this tension between chaos and order. Like the Israelites, we too find ourselves wandering through deserts—periods of confusion, instability, and transition. In the days, weeks, and months since October 7, we have felt this again and again: The joy when hostages are released, the uncertainty about the remaining hostages, the upheaval and deep pain of war.

But within times of uncertainty, there is the potential to create order. Structure, whether through community, routine, faith, or purpose, offers us a way to navigate the wilderness. Just as the Israelites were given roles and responsibilities in the midst of their wandering, we too can find direction even when the path is unclear.

Ba’midbar offers a challenge in the midst of uncertainty. The interplay of chaos and order teaches us that life is rarely one or the other. The desert tests us, strips away illusions, and exposes our vulnerabilities, but it also becomes the place where transformation is possible. And the numbers—representing God’s attention to detail, to each individual’s place and purpose—remind us that even in disorder, we are not forgotten or lost.

We humans strive to find meaning and purpose in the most chaotic of times. When we step into liminal spaces—between what was and what will be—we have a choice. We can despair, worry, or simply give up. Or we can seek opportunities to make the in-between moments meaningful. And we can, we must, hope.