Day after day, it reoccurs. Dawn precedes sunrise, and morning gently morphs into afternoon. The descending sunset lingers as twilight fades to dusk. Finally, evening recedes into the shadows of a dark night. Another day has passed. Day after day, the sequence repeats. The same components, yet each one is unique. And so is every individual.

Towards the end of Parshat Naso, the Torah describes how, over the course of 12 days, the Princes of the 12 Tribes of Israel brought identical offerings. The process began on the much-anticipated day on which the Tabernacle was sanctified. Each Prince donated exactly the same things. The description of these identical gifts is repeated 12 times. Why the redundancy? The Torah could have enumerated the offerings of the first Prince and then stated that each of the others brought the same donation.

The midrash1 explains that each Prince had two types of intentions: his own, unique intention, and those that he shared in common with the other princes. Although, outwardly, each offering appeared to be the same, each individual’s intentions accorded it special meaning.

For example, each prince brought a silver basin weighing 70 shekels. For one prince, it symbolized the 70 Jews who descended to Egypt from Canaan. To another, it represented the 70 nations that descended from Noah. While the offerings were the same materially, each had its unique significance and each was equally honored and valued.2

How can we apply this lesson to our own lives?

People may come to feel lost in the crowd, especially when doing the same mitzvah as others. One may feel subsumed by the group—erased and insignificant. This lengthy section of repetition is presented to make a crucial point: Each mitzvah is unique—it embodies the unique expression of the individual who performs it.

Each of us has a different background and family history. One person’s upbringing may have been spiritually privileged, while another was deprived of positive role models. Each person has his or her own disposition and inner struggles. Performing the same action or mitzvah is never the same.

This lesson underscores the intrinsic value that Judaism extends to each person. Every person’s actions and motivations matter greatly to G‑d. The Torah accords every person dignity and self-worth because he or she is beloved by G‑d.

Ethics of the Fathers tells us: “Man is beloved because he was created in the image of G‑d.”3 The mishnah4 explains the importance of each person: “Adam, the first man, was created alone to teach that whoever destroys one soul … is as if he destroyed an entire world,” and, conversely, “anyone who saves one soul … is as if he saved an entire world.”

Some people mistakenly assume that the Torah’s structure and self-discipline limit self-expression. These same people admire athletes and performers who never could have achieved professional success without structure and self-discipline. A Torah-structured lifestyle enables us to uncover and reveal our greatest spiritual and personal potential. By doing so, one’s personal self-expression is accentuated and galvanized.

In our times, social comparison is pervasive. Try going a day without comparing yourself to anyone else. Don’t compare your life, clothes, cars, houses or achievements to anyone else. Instead, direct your energy to upgrading your personal and spiritual profile. Compare yourself to who you were this morning. Are you better than you were when you woke up? If not, perhaps you’ve not used the opportunity of living another day to strengthen your relationship with G‑d, with others and with yourself.

When you stop comparing yourself to others and focus inward, you’ll start to see positive results. People who frequently make social comparisons are more likely to experience feelings of sadness, envy and overall dissatisfaction with life. Comparing ourselves to others can be toxic for many reasons. Most damaging is what it does to our sense of self-worth. We will feel “less than” or that we’re not “good enough.”

Society often measures a person’s value by what he or she possesses, rather than by what one is. The narrative of the offerings of the tribal princes clearly illustrates that it’s not having more, but being more, that really matters.

Day after day, the sun rises to greet the new morning. As each sunset approaches, ask yourself this question: Did my thoughts and my actions increase or decrease the value of this day? Tomorrow, push the reset button to reactivate another chance to get it right.

Making It Relevant

  1. Strive to become mindful of the many daily opportunities for spiritual growth. Make each morning, afternoon, and night count.
  2. Spiritually upgrade your day by setting specific time for Torah study and prayer. Try to be consistent and focused.
  3. Evaluate your own progress and growth. Did you strengthen your relationship with G‑d, with others and with yourself today? Make sure that you do so in your unique way.