Shabbat Forshpeis
A Taste of Torah in Honor of Shabbat
Parshat Bamidbar
May 10-11, 2002 / 29 Iyar 5762
This week's portion contains a counting of the Jewish people. Nachmanides offers several
ideas to explain the reason for such a census. Each reason has a deep message.
First, the census expresses God's mercy. When Yaakov (Jacob) came to Egypt he brought
with him only seventy souls. Now, thanks to God's strong and compassionate hand in
Egypt, the Jews were a stronger nation as they prepared to enter the land of Israel
in large numbers.
The message: one should not take God's gifts for granted. Proper thanks is due
the Almighty for the existence, growth and success of the people of Israel.
The census was a way of saying "todah rabbah" to God.
Nachmanides also explains that each person received a special merit by virtue
of being counted separately. Every single person, no matter their status in society,
had to pass by the leaders, by Moshe (Moses) and Ahron (Aaron) and be counted. They
set their eyes upon each person as an individual.
The message: in most countries-like here in the US-when a census is taken, there is
a great danger that the very people who the census is supposed to benefit, become mere
numbers. As individuals, their names are secondary. In the Torah census, the accent is
on every persona, showing us that each is created as unique and irreplaceable
images of God.
Finally, since the Jews were preparing to enter the land of Israel, the count was
necessary. It was important to find out how many soldiers were available for pending war.
Invariably, before wartime the Bible almost always tells us that a census was taken.
The message: while God is always there to help, no individual or nation should rely on miracles.
As humans, we must do what we can in order to help ourselves. In this case, proper preparation
was necessary before entering Israel.
These three views actually interface. A comment made by S. Y. Agnon illustrates the point:
Once a king reviewed his returning soldiers who had been victorious
in battle. He was ecstatic and joyous upon their valiant return. But God is not like this
type of king. God, the King of Kings, when reviewing the returnees, understands that they
are not necessarily those who left with the same battalion. Individuals were killed in
the war and they, unfortunately, would not be coming back.
Here we have the co-mingling of the three opinions offered by
Nachmanides. When going to war, each soldier must be viewed as a person with endless
value. Upon returning safely, all returnees ought give thanks to the Lord.
These are important ideas worth remembering especially when
considering current events. Too often it is tragically the case that an Israeli
soldier is struck down and, we in the Diaspora don't know, or having become so
accustomed to these losses, fail to reflect on the tragedy. Those murdered
become a mere number and we fail to feel the pain of the bereaved families
and friends.
It should not be this way. The loss of a soldier killed
defending the land and people of Israel is a deep loss not only for his family
and friends, but for all Jewish people. Similarly, the loss of any of our
sisters and brothers who are victims of terror.
May we be spared such losses.
Rabbi Avi Weiss
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