Words From Rabbi White

Last night, I filled out the census form for Canada. And this week, the Book of BaMidbar begins by telling us how Moses and Aaron and the leaders of the tribes took a count of males 20 years and up.

Actually, it seems that the original name of BaMidbar was humash ha-pequdim, the “Humash of the enumerated.” (See, for example, the first Mishna in chapter 7 of Tractate Yoma.)  Likewise, in the ancient Greek translation, this Book is called arithmoi [think of the word “Arithmetic!”] and in the ancient Latin translation, it is Numeri.  And, of course, in English, it is known as the Book of Numbers.

The Torah tells us in verse 3 that the purpose of the enumeration was to know the number of people who could “go out into the army.” And, perhaps there’s an important lesson to be learnt from here. Think about it for a moment. The children of Israel had just experienced three of the greatest miracles in history: the plagues in Egypt; the crossing of the Red Sea; and the giving of the Torah. Surely, some Israelites must have thought, “there is nothing for us to do.  HaShem will fight all of our battles.”  Well, it is true that HaShem will fight for us.  However, to be worthy of a miracle, we have to make some effort on our part.

And likewise, nowadays, we express our appreciation to the brave Israeli soldiers, who put their lives on the line for the sake of our land, and our people.

kol ha-havod le-tsahal!

I wish all of you Shabbat shalom and chag sameah: a happy and healthy shabbat and Shavuot.

Rabbi Menahem White