Parshas Bamidbar 5765

The second year after the exodus from Egypt, G-d commanded Moshe to take a census of all the Jewish men eligible for the army, between twenty and sixty years old.

Rashi explains that this census was to portray G-d's intense love and concern for the Jewish people. A person counts and spends time with something that he loves and cherishes. This was especially important after the sin of the Golden Calf, when the nation had fallen in disgrace before G-d, and He wanted to show the people He had forgiven them for the sin. For this reason the Levites were not counted. Since they did not sin with the Calf, they never needed that reassurance that the rest of the nation needed. (Although the Levites too would be counted later, it was for a different reason, to be able to redeem the firstborn Israelites. Each firstborn needed one Levite to redeem him.)

The sum total of the census was around six hundred thousand people. Considering the fact that this number was approximately the same as the number of Jews that had first left Egypt, it was a comfort to them. Despite G-d's anger and His punishment, they were not in any danger of being decimated.

Another reason for the census was to give each Jew the opportunity to spend a few moments with Moshe, to see a role model to emulate. The census reminded them that each Jew has a unique mission to fulfill, and that he must strive to achieve his best. The people were counted from age twenty, since that was when they were mature enough to fulfill their mission. (The tribe of Levi was counted from thirty days old, since their mission was different than the rest of the nation. Their mere presence as a family of priests was reason enough to be counted.)

The camp was arranged in a quadrilateral shape, with the Levites and the Mishkan in the center. A group of three tribes camped on each side, with one of the tribes serving as a leader for each grouping.

Just as each tribe was counted by itself, each tribe also had its own place to camp. These specific positions were maintained throughout the forty years in the desert for various reasons. Certain tribes were placed next to others because they shared complementary missions. Each of the tribes was equidistant from the Tabernacle in the middle. This showed that no tribe was more important than another, and that only in conjunction with one another could they accomplish their mission as a whole unit together.

"...G-d spoke to Moshe in the wilderness..." (Num. 1:1)

The Midrash comments that Torah is only given to those who are humble like a wilderness. Rav Aharon Kotler once commented that the although the Chafetz Chaim's piety and righteousness are so well known, his genius was even greater than his piety. When asked why this was so he responded that the Chafetz Chaim, in his great humility, prayed that his scholarship remain hidden, and his desire was fulfilled.

If so, Rav Aharon was asked, why didn't the Chafetz Chaim also pray that his righteousness be hidden? Rav Aharon smiled and said, "The Chafetz Chaim knew that he was a great scholar. However, regarding his piety, it never entered the Chafetz Chaim's mind that should have to pray that it remain hidden, since he didn't consider himself righteous!"

Did You Know...

The obligation to honor Yom Tov is greater than that of Shabbos, thus one's Yom Tov clothing should be nicer than Shabbos clothing. A man is obligated to buy his wife new clothing or jewelry for Yom Tov. He should also buy his children special treats.

There is a special mitzvah to eat meat and drink wine on Yom Tov. If one does not enjoy meat, he may eat chicken, and if one does not enjoy wine he may drink grape juice or other beverages. Some authorities say the primary mitzvah of meat and wine must be fulfilled during Yom Tov day, and not in the evening; thus those people who eat dairy on Shavuos day should try to eat some meat some time during the day.