פרשת במדבר
Sefer Bamidbar begins with G-d commanding Moshe to take a census of the Jewish people. It’s little wonder that Bamidbar is also called “Sefer HaPekudim” or, as it is known in English, “Numbers.” Rashi comments that Hashem counts the Jewish people many times in the Torah. Obviously Hashem doesn’t demand a census because He doesn’t know how many Jews there are, chas v’shalom. Rather, the act of counting is demanded because of the incredible love Hashem has for us. What does counting have to do with the love G-d has for us? What is so endearing about a census?
The Ramban says that we should be inspired by knowing that G-d is counting us. The realization that every single person is being thought about and appreciated should make one’s heart melt. Every Jew is very precious in Hashem’s eyes. The Cli Yakar says this act of counting also shows that Hashem watches over and cares very much about every single Jew. What makes Jews so special is that even though we are all individuals, we all stand for one thing — we all unite in the service of G-d. We represent the ideal of everything that is good, righteous, and holy. In a world that doesn’t care about or acknowledge Hashem, we commit ourselves firmly to the lofty goal of constantly bringing joy to our Maker and actualizing the purpose of our existence. This is why Hashem loves counting us. It makes Him so happy to see how many Jews there are.
However, the nature of the count was not only an appreciation of each Jew as a part of the entire Jewish people; the census also symbolized Hashem’s love for every Jew for who he is as an individual. The pasook in Bamidbar 1:2 says that Hashem commanded Moshe to count the Jews according to the “number of names.” The Sforno says that this count was unlike any other national census. It’s true that the count kept track of how many Jews there were. However, as each Jew was counted, his name was given special consideration by Hashem as well. The Sforno says that a person’s name reveals something deep about his essence. The fact that the counting involved considering each individual as a personality as well as a number shows us that Hashem doesn’t only take great pleasure in counting us as a member of the Jewish people; He also loves just to see us and appreciate each of us as we are. Our personal strengths and even our struggles are very valuable to Hashem and the count teaches us this concept.
The Torah uses interesting terminology when referring to the census. When Hashem commands Moshe to take the tally of the people He says “שאו את ראש בני ישראל” which literally means “raise the heads of the Bnei Yisrael.” However, the Midrash in Bamidbar Rabba 1:11 says that it can also mean “take off the heads of the Bnei Yisrael.” The Midrash explains that Hashem was hinting that if the Jews are worthy their heads will “be raised,” meaning that they will become successful and great. However, if the Jewish people do not merit, they will perish instead. A question to ponder on this Midrash is why did Hashem choose to hint to this idea here? What does the census have to do with personal accountability?
The Sfas Emes, in the name of the Chiddushei HaRim, says that every person has a job in this world that only he can do. No one can do that job for him and he can’t do anyone else’s job. Every challenge and opportunity that one has in life is uniquely suited for him according to his strengths and weaknesses. The service G-d requires of each person is unique, and if a Jew fails to complete his mission in life he has deprived the entire world of all the things he had to offer. Hashem specifically hints to this when commanding Moshe Rabbeinu to take the census. Every Jew should know that he matters a lot and his actions have a profound impact on the world. Therefore, the responsibility that being a Jew entails is enormous and ignoring one’s obligation deserves severe punishment. According to the Sfas Emes, this is what Hillel meant in Pirke Avos chapter 1 when he said “If I’m not for myself, who will be for me?” If one does not do what he was put in this world to do, nobody can take his place.
So how do we know what our purpose in this world is? The Vilna Gaon writes in Mishlei 16:4 that it used to be that everyone knew exactly what he was supposed to do in life. If a person was at a crossroads and wasn’t sure which direction he should go, he would just go to a prophet and ask him. However, today the situation has changed. Unfortunately, we no longer have prophets to help us out. Nevertheless, we still have the instructions that will lead us to do exactly what we were put here to do. As long as we strive to stay true to the Torah, keep the mitzvos, and push ourselves to serve Hashem with all our might, Hashem will make sure that we accomplish our goals. The Slonimer Rebbe adds that the things that are most difficult for us are often exactly the challenges that Hashem specifically wants us to triumph over. To win these battles may be the real reason Hashem put us here. Ironically, our weakest areas can actually be the places where we can do our greatest avodas Hashem.
In truth, since no two people are alike, every Jew’s avodas Hashem, regardless of what level he may have reached, is precious to Hashem. There is a story of Rav Naftali Amsterdam telling his rebbi, Rav Yisrael Salanter, “If only I had the head of the Shaagas Aryeh, the heart of the Baal Shoresh Haavoda, and the midos of Rav Yisrael Salanter, then I would really be able to serve Hashem properly!” Rav Yisrael Salanter answered,“Hashem doesn’t really want you to have the head of the Shaagas Aryeh nor the heart of the Baal Shoresh Haavoda. All He wants is for you serve Him with the head, heart, and midos of Rav Naftali Amsterdam!”
May we all be zoche to serve Hashem in the way only we can!!!