When I was in high school, I remember being on a hike and seeing a giant silver maple with its leaves tossing in the wind. It’s what gives the silver maple its name! I distinctly remember having the thought that “every leaf experiences the wind differently.” No matter how close two leaves were on the tree, their experiences in the wind were unique—how much more so if they were in an entirely different part of the tree!
This is, of course, a useful metaphor when thinking about the human experience, especially these days, when the diversity of experience in the winds of life is vast, but I think we should be reminded constantly that we are all on the same tree of existence.
In this week’s parasha, we take a deep dive into the priestly breastplate, upon which are 12 unique stones (carnelian, chrysolite, emerald, turquoise, sapphire, amethyst, jacinth, agate, crystal, lapis lazuli, beryl, and jasper), each inscribed with a name of one of the 12 tribes.
On this breastplate, on the chest of the high priest and emissary to God for the Jewish people, are the entirety of the Jewish people represented. All forged by time, beautiful and unique, placed in different places on the breastplate; and yet, it wouldn’t be the same if even one single stone were missing.
In this time, Jews—and the world—must seek to recognize where we sit on the breastplate, or the tree for that matter, and acknowledge that we are only on this tree and breastplate for a short while and we must, must, must take steps to ensure that future leaves and future stones have strength and are strengthened by one another, because the winds are only picking up.