This Lelamed Dvar is also available in your local App Store (iTunes and
Android). I hope you enjoy and share this late Dvar (appropriate for the
Parsha and for Shavout)...
Parshat Bamidbar begins with the third official count of the Jewish nation.
The term used in the Torah is that we should "count the heads" (1:2) of all
the households, but the Hebrew word "Se-u" could also mean "lift" the
heads. Why would the Torah use such ambiguous language? Also, why were they
to be counted according to their households, which had never been done in
the past? Rashi informs us that prior to the census each Jew was required
to produce a book of their lineage. The Midrash adds that producing this
book was also required to be able to receive the Torah. Why is receiving
the Torah dependent upon having this book of lineage?
Rabbi Zweig explains that surpassing the expectations that have been
defined by one's social upbringing is what gives a person a sense of
accomplishment. If a person is able to identify their lineage, they might
learn that their ancestors were people who took responsibility for
themselves and had honorable standards. For the rest of the world, the very
act of taking responsibility is in itself an elevating sense of
accomplishment. However, behaving responsibly is not considered an
accomplishment for G-d's chosen nation. Jews are expected to behave
differently than animals, to act responsibly, for our forefathers have set
a standard that makes anything less unacceptable. This explains why
households were important enough to be counted. The Ramban (Nachmanides)
enforces the lesson of our Parsha by explaining the use of the Torah's
language: The alternative meaning of "lifting" of the heads can also be a
positive, but only if the body and its actions are lifted with it. Our
heads and minds can lift us to greatness, so long as we have our actions to
take us there.
Shlomo Ressler
Quotation of the Week (thanks to Jess):
"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." - Aesop
This Lelamed Dvar is also available in your local App Store (iTunes and
Android). I hope you enjoy and share this late Dvar (appropriate for the
Parsha and for Shavout)...
_______________________________________________
Parshat Bamidbar begins with the third official count of the Jewish nation.
The term used in the Torah is that we should "count the heads" (1:2) of all
the households, but the Hebrew word "Se-u" could also mean "lift" the
heads. Why would the Torah use such ambiguous language? Also, why were they
to be counted according to their households, which had never been done in
the past? Rashi informs us that prior to the census each Jew was required
to produce a book of their lineage. The Midrash adds that producing this
book was also required to be able to receive the Torah. Why is receiving
the Torah dependent upon having this book of lineage?
Rabbi Zweig explains that surpassing the expectations that have been
defined by one's social upbringing is what gives a person a sense of
accomplishment. If a person is able to identify their lineage, they might
learn that their ancestors were people who took responsibility for
themselves and had honorable standards. For the rest of the world, the very
act of taking responsibility is in itself an elevating sense of
accomplishment. However, behaving responsibly is not considered an
accomplishment for G-d's chosen nation. Jews are expected to behave
differently than animals, to act responsibly, for our forefathers have set
a standard that makes anything less unacceptable. This explains why
households were important enough to be counted. The Ramban (Nachmanides)
enforces the lesson of our Parsha by explaining the use of the Torah's
language: The alternative meaning of "lifting" of the heads can also be a
positive, but only if the body and its actions are lifted with it. Our
heads and minds can lift us to greatness, so long as we have our actions to
take us there.
Shlomo Ressler
_______________________________________________
Quotation of the Week (thanks to Jess):
"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." - Aesop
