The book of Bemidbar begins in a surprising way. Before the great battles, before the crises of the wilderness, before the complaints and rebellions, the Torah pauses over something that seems almost technical: the organization of the Israelite camp. “אִישׁ עַל־דִּגְלוֹ” “Each person by their banner…” Each tribe had its place. Each group had its flag. Each family carried a visible identity. And all of them encircled the Mishkan, the Sanctuary, standing at the center of