Parashat Bamidbar This week's reading is called \"In the desert\" and gives beginning to the fourth book of Torah, which is also called \"Numbers\". In this book, G-d commands to count the Jewish people a number of times. What's the meaning if this counting? Doesn't G-d know the amount of people without it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This week's Torah reading is called <\/strong>Bamidbar<\/strong><\/em>, and it marks the beginning of the fourth book of the Torah, also called <\/strong>Bamidbar<\/strong><\/em>\u2014which means \"In the Desert.\"<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Interestingly, in English (and other languages like Spanish), the name of this fourth book is not Bamidbar<\/em> but Numbers<\/strong>. Why Numbers<\/em>? Because throughout this entire book\u2014which primarily discusses the travels of the Jewish people through the desert and the many events that occurred during that time\u2014there is a recurring theme of counting and numbers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This week's parasha<\/em> (Torah portion) includes a census<\/strong> of the Jewish people. The following portion, Naso<\/em>, also features various counts and numerical details relating to the people during their time in the desert. That\u2019s why this book is known in English as Numbers<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, there's a famous question<\/strong> regarding this topic:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why does G-d command Moses and Aaron to count the Jewish people multiple times?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n G-d knows everything\u2014He doesn't need a census to find out how many people there are. So, what\u2019s the purpose of this?<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most profound answers comes from one of our greatest sages: Rabbi Isaiah Horowitz<\/strong>, known as the Shlah HaKadosh<\/strong>. He lived in Prague and later moved to Israel, where he is buried in Tiberias. He authored a famous work called Shnei Luchot HaBrit<\/em> (\"The Two Tablets of the Covenant\"), a fascinating blend of halachah (Jewish law), Kabbalah, and ethical teachings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In his book, the Shlah explains this question by referencing a deep concept in Jewish law<\/strong>. The concept is expressed in Hebrew as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \"Davar sheyesh bo minyan, eino batel\"<\/strong> \u2013 \"An item that is counted is not nullified.\"<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n What does that mean?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Imagine you have something permissible to eat that gets accidentally mixed with something forbidden. Can you now benefit from the mixture? It depends. In Jewish law, there are rules for nullification (bitul)<\/strong>\u2014whether the forbidden part becomes insignificant compared to the majority and is therefore \"nullified.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, there's an important exception: This legal concept might seem like it has nothing to do with our question\u2014but the brilliance<\/strong> of the Shlah is how he applies this idea spiritually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He says: G-d commanded the Jewish people to be counted in order to show that they are not \"nullifiable.\"<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Each person is like a counted, distinct unit\u2014important, irreplaceable, not to be lost within the masses<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n G-d did not want the Jewish people to be swallowed up or nullified among the other nations. He wanted to show their value and uniqueness<\/strong>, and that\u2019s why He had them counted\u2014not for information, but for significance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This wasn\u2019t just relevant 3,000 years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a message for all times and for everyone who connects with G-d's message<\/strong>. Whether you are a Jew observing the 613 commandments, or a Noahide<\/strong> keeping the seven universal commandments, if you know this message\u2014if you've been exposed to these divine truths\u2014that means G-d has chosen you<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of the billions of people who are unaware of these teachings, you were chosen to carry this message<\/strong>. That makes you significant<\/strong>, not just spiritually but functionally\u2014you are meant to bring light to the world around you<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When a person knows their importance, their divine value, they are not nullified<\/strong>\u2014even in environments where most people live by different values. That\u2019s why this portion, and many others in Sefer Bamidbar<\/em>, emphasize counting:
Something that is sold or recognized as a distinct unit<\/strong>\u2014for example, items that are sold one-by-one, or counted individually\u2014is not nullified<\/strong>, even if it is only one in a thousand. Its individual significance makes it stand out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the contrary: you will not be influenced\u2014you will be the influencer.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
To remind you that if you are listening to this message, it's because G-d is \"counting\" you<\/strong>\u2014giving you value and the power to uplift and transform the world around you.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Parashat Bamidbar This week's reading is called \"In the desert\" and gives beginning to the fourth book of Torah, which is also called \"Numbers\". In this book, G-d commands to count the Jewish people a number of times. What's the meaning if this counting? Doesn't G-d know the amount of people without it? This week's… Read More \u00bbParashat Bamidbar - Why does God count people?<\/span><\/a>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30248,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","episode_type":"audio","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3320],"tags":[3497,3165],"series":[],"class_list":["post-30253","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bamidbar-en","tag-count","tag-torah"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/tuviaserber.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/00EnglishParasha-3.jpg","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/tuviaserber.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/avatar1400.jpeg","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"light","subscribeUrls":{"castbox":{"key":"castbox","url":"","label":"CastBox","class":"castbox","icon":"castbox.png"},"rss":{"key":"rss","url":"","label":"RSS","class":"rss","icon":"rss.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/tuviaserber.com\/en\/feed\/podcast\/rabino-tuvia-serber","embedCode":"Parashat Bamidbar - Why does God count people?<\/a><\/blockquote>