A COUNTING WE WILL GO

  It’s already been 13 months since we left Egypt and we still haven’t arrived in Canaan.  So much for a 3-day or even 3-month journey!  Although, I must admit that it hasn’t been a boring time either.  We saw our captors decimated and drowned in the Reed Sea just 7 days after our release from captivity. Then, within a 3-month period, we indeed received the most precious gift from Hashem--His Torah and thus formally become inducted into His inner circle.  Sadly, a mere 40 days later we succumbed to our fears and ordered Aharon Hakohen to erect the golden calf and worshipped it, all because we thought that Moshe Rabbanu had died on the mountain top.  

  Following that devastating event, Hashem forgave us and commanded us to build the Mishkan, which was just finished last month and dedicated by Aharon and his sons.  And now, Moshe has been commanded to conduct a special census.  This census will only include the men aged between 20-60 years old. These are the people who will be conscripted into the service of Hashem and as we ready ourselves to enter into Canaan, we need to know what our fighting force will look like.  Shevat Levi will be excluded from this census as they are not going to inherit any specific tract of land.   They will be landless, living amongst us, just as Ya’akov Avinu “blessed” them. Three other reasons were advanced for the need of this census.  One was to demonstrate how dear we are to Hashem. 

At every opportunity Hashem counts us, as was exhibited when we left Mitzraim and immediately following the debacle of the golden calf.  Another reason advanced was “to show the miraculous growth of our people.”  Remember, we entered Egypt with only 70 people and at the time of departure, we already were nearly 2 million.  And, finally, everyone has the right to benefit from their personal relationship with Moshe and Aharon.  This census would give each individual the opportunity to meet and greet our leaders and receive a b’racha from them.  And, by presenting their half-shekel, this would be utilized as their atonement.

  All in all, the census is a good thing and I can hardly wait to hear the results.

MIRACULOUS GROWTH

Some people have questioned why Moshe couldn’t just conduct a head count?  Why did each one of us have to give a half-shekel which would then be counted, deriving our total from that?   We were told that the reasons were multiple.  First and foremost, the coins would act as atonement for us.  Secondly, it was to teach us that we should never conduct a head count as this invites the “evil eye” or jealousy into our midst.  And, lastly, by only giving a half-shekel, it reminds us that we are not whole by ourselves.  We need to worry and include the other people in our lives.

FLAGS ARE US

  Flag makers all throughout our people must be in a happy mood today.  We will not only be camping around the Mishkan, but we will be encamped at our flags.  And how will we know one flag from the other?   The design will be based upon two criteria:

1)       The color of the stone on the breastplate

2)       The blessing or action of the patriarchs of the tribe.  For example, Reuven’s symbol will be the dudaim, based upon his bringing these flowers to his mother, while Yehuda’s symbol will be the lion.