Numbers are important

 B’midbar

Num. 1:1 - 4:20

 

Précis: B’midbar is an amalgamation of the narrative of wilderness wanderings (including the stories of the spies, Korach’s rebellion, Balaam’s donkey, and the sin of Moses), sacrificial requirements, the establishment of Israel’s moving camp, and census data.

                As B’midbar (“in the wilderness”) begins, Moses is directed to take a census (“take the number”) from which the English name (Numbers) of the Book derives. A detailed listing of the numbers of each tribe follows; each tribe is apportioned a particular location in the camp. A listing of the Levitical families then follows, together with the beginning of a discussion of their duties.                

                B’midbar, according to Rabbi Plaut, continues the narrative from Exodus (which was largely interrupted by Leviticus), and begins about a year after the liberation, covering the wandering in the desert. He notes that details are provided for only the first and last years, with the “middle” 38 left mostly to our imaginations. The focus of the Book appears to “point to this moment when Israel is poised to take possession of its inheritance.” 

 

Num. 1:1 - 2 “And Adonai spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai… saying, ‘Take the number of the congregation of the children of Israel, by their families, by their father’s houses, according to the number of names, every male, by their polls.’”

 

Numbers are important. This week, the number of surviving hostages in Gaza remains a mystery. And while the number of dead Palestinians is great, we cannot forget that it is Hamas terrorists who are responsible for their demise. When we think back to what we call the “greatest generation” who prevailed against the Nazis and the Japanese in WWII, we should remember the number of our brave combatants who died in defense of our country. The number of dead, yes, even “innocent civilians,” was huge, almost unimaginable. Yet, those deaths destroyed the idea that one nation can rule others with impunity, and only came with the unconditional surrender of both Germany and Japan.It was proof that an evil ideology can be eradicated.

            An unconditional surrender by Hamas and the release of all hostages would mean the end of a movement which terrorizes its own people and calls for the extermination of the Jewish State and the Jewish People. Nothing more, nothing less.