Triennial Cycle III: Numbers 3:14-4:20
Humash Etz Hayim, page 779
Haftarah: Hosea 2:1-22, page 786
- (3:14-39) The enrollment of the Levites from the age of one month and up, according to their respective clans, descended from Levi’s sons Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
- (3:40-51) The census of the first-born males. Their replacement by the Levites.
- (4:1-20) A second census of the Levites between the ages of 30 and 50, this time in order to determine the number needed for their tasks during the period of wilderness wandering. The census of the Kohatites and their appointment to the special task of carrying the holy vessels of the Tabernacle.
Drash-Margie Pomerantz
As the parasha B’Midbar begins, we learn that it has been two years and two months since the Exodus from Egypt. While the Israelites must be in a regular routine by now, they undoubtedly still remember vividly what it was like to be slaves. When their individual names had little meaning and their only value was the work they performed for their masters.
They are now in the Wilderness and God commands Moses to take a census of the “whole Israelite community” by CLAN and by NAME. How strange this must have seemed to the wandering Israelites. They have come from a value-less existence and just a short two years later, they are being counted by NAME. Not just a body count, but a listing including their “ancestral house”, head by head. This is a huge, significant change from being slaves with no identity at all, to being counted and recognized by name as members of the community.
In practical terms, the purpose of this first Israelite census was to have a count of the males who could bear arms in preparation for the battles to come as the Israelites moved toward the Promised Land. The results of the census would determine how the tribes marched and camped to be ready for any eventuality. The camp was organized with the Ark at the center and the tribes positioned around it, thus visible and central to all. The tribes’ ancestral banners were clearly visible creating a strong visual demonstration of the importance of their sense of identity in the community – valuing both the individuals as well as their family heritage.
In the US, we do a census every 10 years at the turn of the decade and we are the midst of one right now. This has been done with regularity since 1790, just over 20 years after we became a country. According to www.thisnation,com, no other nation has such a long history of collecting detailed information about its population and other important demographic characteristics. As specified in the Constitution, the purpose of the US census is to allocate congressional seats proportionally to the number of residents in the states.
Both the original Israelite and the current US census provide us with useful statistics for housing, planning, protecting the community and other essential services. This information is valuable and helpful, but according to Rabbi Raymond Apple, Emeritus Rabbi of the Great Synagogue of Sydney Australia, it is one dimensional and flat. I agree and must comment that the Internet is a wonderful thing!
THESE STATISTICS TELL US HOW MANY WE CAN COUNT, BUT NOT HOW MANY WE CAN COUNT ON.
Being counted on comes in many forms and varieties. It does not have a direct correlation to anything often valued in our culture – not money, our heritage, or our line of work. It has everything to do, however, with how we treat others and how we are viewed and valued by those around us. These could be people we know or those with whom we have no relationship. It could even be a large group of people or an entire community who value what we do – who count on us.
Who benefits the most when we are counted upon? Typically it is both sides of the relationship. How many of you have volunteered at a food bank or a shelter? You were definitely counted on at that time to help people who otherwise could not have helped themselves. And here is the really important question – how did you feel when you did this? I can tell you from personal experience, that when I have volunteered in such a way, I felt really good about myself. I was thrilled that I had the ability to help others in this way and very pleased with myself that I took the opportunity to participate – to be counted on.
When you vote do you proudly wear the sticker for the rest of the day that says “I voted”? This is a great example of counting and being counted on.
Many of us participate in races and other events to raise funds for worthy causes. Who gains the most? Those who directly benefit from research funded by the organization or you, who have stretched yourself to run the extra mile or raise the extra dollar?
What about when you attend minyan at Beth David. You certainly are counted, and are exceedingly counted on by those who come to say kaddish. Without you they would not be able to do so.
In addition to being counted on individually, I suggest that we have responsibilities to help others be counted on as well. Sometimes it’s hard for us to see the opportunities before us to be counted on. It’s a great mitzvah to give someone else the opportunity to make a difference.
We are not slaves, but sometimes we consciously or unconsciously enslave ourselves to our work or other things that don’t count in long run. We are all free to make a choice on if and how we are counted on. I urge you to look around for opportunities and make every moment count!