Parshas Bemidar 5766

Commentary by Rabbi Ephraim Nisenbaum

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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, those twenty years and older.

Although the Jewish people had already been counted earlier the same year, Rashi explains that this census was meant to impress upon the Jewish people G-d’s love and concern for them. One only counts and spends time with something that he loves and cherishes. This was especially important for the people to realize after the promise of serious retribution in the previous portion, if the Jewish people failed to keep the mitzvos.

Also, after the sin of the Golden Calf, when the nation had fallen in disgrace before G-d, they needed the reassurance that G-d still loved them. For this reason the Levites were not counted. Since they did not sin by 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 who had sinned with the Golden Calf. Each firstborn needed one Levite to redeem him. The Levites were actually counted from thirty days old and older.)

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.

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.

Each of the tribes had its own specific place, and it would occupy that place throughout the forty years in the desert, in order for the nation to be able to function properly. This represented the unique mission of each tribe. Each of the tribes was also situated 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.

“...and an eternal life He planted within us...” (Shavuos Liturgy)

The Graf Potocki, heir to a famous Polish count, became a righteous convert in the mid-1700’s. He was impressed that Judaism brings heaven down to earth, rather than sacrificing earth for heaven. The Polish church burned him to death for his heretical beliefs on Shavuos. He died with dignity, appreciating the opportunity to sanctify G-d’s Name.

The Graf, known as Avraham ben Avraham, once asked the Vilna Gaon why certain people are motivated to convert. The Gaon explained that at Mount Sinai, G-d offered the Torah to all the nations. Although the nations refused to accept the Torah, there were individuals who wanted to accept it. These individuals were also at Sinai, and their descendents became converts.

Did You Know...

There is a mitzvah to recite Hallel, a special prayer of praise and thanksgiving, on most Jewish holidays. A person should make every effort to recite the Hallel prayer with the congregation. Even if he has not yet prayed the Amida, if he finds the congregation reciting Hallel, he should say it with them before praying.

If one must recite the Hallel by himself, he should try to find two other people to answer when he says Hodu Lashem Ki Tov, in the same way that the congregation answers the chazzan.

Hallel is considered to be an important prayer, comparable to the Shema, and only certain interruptions are permitted.