The children of Israel shall pitch by their fathers’ houses; every man with his own standard, according to the ensigns; a good way off shall they pitch round about the tent of meeting. (Number 2:2)

The midrash (Bamidbar Raba:b) tells us that when Beni Israel saw that the 120,000 angels who came down at the time of the giving of the Torah were carrying flags, they also wanted flags for themselves. G-d granted their request, and allowed them to have flags. He told Moses that since we are His children, He will allow us to have flags.
This whole sequence of events is quite puzzling. What do flags, which are a physical concept, have to do with angels who are inherently spiritual in nature? Why do the angels need flags, and what do they signify? Why is it a big deal for people to have flags? Why did Beni Israel want them, what’s going on here?
A flag is primarily a means of identification. All nations rally behind their flags, display them prominently, and treat them with the utmost respect. When you lift up a flag you identify yourself as a member of a group. We know from many sources, that each and every angel is created to perform a specific task. One angel is not capable of doing the job that another was created to do. In order to signify this, the angel raises a flag. The flag serves to identify him and his particular job in this world.
Some people go through life without much of a feeling of purpose. They don’t have a drive to accomplish or a feeling that they are in possession of unique talents that no one else has. The Torah is teaching us an important lesson here. Beni Israel asked for, and received, unique, specific tasks in this world. They saw the way that each angel had their own niche and they wanted the same thing for themselves. G-d has given each and every Jew a role to play in this world. It is impossible for one person to do the job of another. It is no coincidence that this Torah Portion is read immediately prior to the Holiday of Shavouht. When we come to receive the Torah we have to know that each and every one of us is vital to the success of Beni Israel. We all have the ability, and responsibility, to accomplish things which are not able to be done by any other person. Lets live up to that responsibility. (Nativot Shalom)

By Rabbi Sharaga Thav
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