This week we begin to read Sefer Bamidbar - Book of Numbers. Our parsha opens with the mitzvah to count the people of Israel, which is the reason that our Rabbis call the book of Bamidbar the book of Numbers. This name is less exciting than the names given by our Rabbis to the other books: Bereshit - Book of the Just, Vayikra - Book of the Priests. Bamidbar is named after the two censuses, one around the time of the building of the mishkan - The Tabernacle -before the journey to Israel, and the second census on the banks of the River Jordan before they entered the land of Israel.
The book of Bamidbar contains many important events such as journeys, sins, wars and international relations. Why is the census mentioned at the beginning of this week's parsha so important that Rashi, in the name of the Rabbis, names the whole book of Bamidbar, Numbers?
Rashi gave an introduction to Bamidbar and here is what he wrote, "Because, Bnei Israel - the Jews - were so dear to Him, He counted them often. When they left Egypt.... When many fell because of the sin of the golden calf, He counted them to know the number of the survivors.... On the first of Nissan, the mishkan was erected, and the first of Iyar, He counted them. The census is there to show God's love. "
Rashi's explanation isn't clear. How does counting people show love? As an Israeli who served in the Zahal, I think of the army routine of Mifkad - roll call. It was not a fun moment to remember, as any Chayal - soldier - will tell you. Even in Bnei Akivah as a Madricha - counselor - I never considered it to be the most romantic moment. I can only assume that Moshe counted the people in order to know the number of his people (just like the officer in the army). But Rashi teaches us that the census was initiated by God because of His love for us. So why did he need Moshe to do the census? He already knew how many Jews there were in the Machane - camp.
It's interesting that Rashi also commented on this question of numbering in the opening of Sefer Shemot, and gave almost the same explanation, "and these are the names of the sons of Israel: although God counted them in their lifetime by their names he counted them after their death, to let us know how precious they are to him...." We need to gain a deeper understanding of the purpose of the counting in our parsha. To help me with this, I e-mailed a friend, a Kohelet alumnus, Philip Dolitski, learning in Yeshivat Shalavim, who writes a Dvar Torah every week that I enjoy reading. I received a quick response from Philip who wrote, "The Maharal (a 16th century commentator from Prague) understood from Rashi that counting them again here in our parsha teaches us that the Book of Bamidbar is a revelation of the trust in Divine Providence of the Jewish People when beginning their difficult journey in the desert."
Now I understand that mifkadim - counting - teaches us that each and every one of us is important no matter who we are within Am Yisrael - the Jewish People. Whatever we do for Hashem, we are all precious. Philip's comments are so correct. God wants to remind Him and us that both
Moshe
and we, His people, are equal. How can this be? Even if there are nine Torah giants, like Moshe, they cannot constitute a Minyan. Every Jew can be "the holy tenth person," and even a Jewish
neshama -
soul - who's not Shomer Shabbat, such as the mekoshesh etzim, of whom it was told, he gathered wood on Shabbat (a forbidden act on Shabbat) is never the less counted among the Jewish people.
There is no difference between one Jew and another. We all have our 'Pintele Yid,' the spark that Hashem wants us to awaken in tough times. For example, after the sin of the golden calf God commanded Moshe to take a census. This was a demonstration of God's love of Israel. Even when we were at the 49th level of impurity he counted us and said - I love you not because you are clever or a tsaddik, but because with each and every one of you, we can have ten people to make a minyan. With love like this, we are blessed forever.
Kohelet Yeshiva is once again proud to be participating in the The Israel Day Parade in New York City on Sunday, June 4th.
