Parshat Bamidbar is the assigned parsha for the Class of 2026’s graduation day, May 11th. This parsha is solely focused on Hashem finally organizing His people after Exodus and the receipt of the Torah. By doing so, Hashem recognizes the 12 tribes of Israel and creates an obligation to undergo a census. Tallying all the Jewish people in their respective tribes shows Hashem’s recognition of us all.
The method of the census was to have a man, who is eligible for drafting, represent his family. A man was considered to be the head of the household, derived from this parsha. However, you must be an individual in order to be represented.
That being said, being your own individual holds a lot of weight, responsibility, and need for maturity. Each Jew is held to their own free will to keep themselves accountable for their religious practices, following the order of Torah, as well as being a member of society.
Applying this belief to today, I am my own individual with my own responsibility. Just as Hashem counted the Jews, everyone involved with your life counts on you, whether it is in the smallest, most impactful, or even burdensome manner. You are constantly being counted on.
In school, teachers may burden you with the responsibility of endless, yet helpful, work. In your family, you hold the responsibility of being a helpful and present person. In society, you hold the responsibility of abiding by the law. In friendship, you hold the responsibility of loyalty and honesty.
Through all these examples, you not only impact the pathway of your life, but the lives of others. Fortunately, I was able to come to this understanding through my years at HBHA.
Being granted numerous opportunities and experiences, I was able to learn the importance of accountability and responsibility as an individual. As a part of a community, my involvement has created a lasting impact on many.
In STUCO, people have counted on me to perform the duties within the spirit role. In RampageWired, people have counted on me to ensure photos, captions, and articles were of quality. In sports, my teammates and coaches counted on me to show up and participate. In NHS, the greater Kansas community counted on me for contributions to the community. In school families, my peers counted on my leadership and friendship.
While responsibilities are a constant in our day-to-day lives, religion additionally plays a large part.
In my daily life, Hashem counts on me to continue my Jewish lineage by embracing traditions and customs, play my part in the Jewish community, and enhance my spirituality through religious practice. Just as Hashem counts on me in these terms, He counts on every person to do the same. We are all our own individual, yet we are all representatives of Judaism and Hashem Himself.
But, I am only one part of my class. Together, as a group, we have impacted the whole community throughout high school. Whether it was creating or working events, bringing new traditions, a strong feeling of spirit, and friendly or professional relationships among our community members, we have committed ourselves to ensuring a lasting impact.
With this all in mind, I can wake up each day reflecting on an optimal approach to our responsibilities and to fulfill my role as an individual and representative of our beliefs and communities. Wherever life takes you, people will count on you as you make an impact on everybody’s life. It’s a wonderful thing to be relied on, and it is even better knowing you have the constant support of those around you.
