Numbers in the Desert

Last week we concluded the book of Vayikra (Leviticus), and this week we begin the fourth book, that of Bamidbar (Numbers).

The Talmud (a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, customs and history) attributes a different name to each of the five books of the Torah that would portray the underlying theme of the entire book in one word. The book of Bamidbar was named “Sefer Pekudim”, translated as “The Book of Countings” (commonly known as “The Book of Numbers”). The reason for this title is most probably due to the fact that the book both opens and concludes with a national census (counting) of the Jewish people.

There is a common view suggesting that both book titles (e.g. “Bamidbar” and “Countings”) are linked to one another. The book of “Bamidbar” translated into English means the book of “In the Desert”; so what does the desert have to do with counting and numbers?

Before reaching an answer it may be necessary to ask the same exact question, but for the book of “Shmot” (the second book of the bible). The English translation for “Shmot” is “Names”, and the special name that it was given by the Talmud is “The Book of Redemption”. It seems clear why it would be ascribed a title relating to redemption, for the book mainly contains the story of our nation’s redemption from Egypt. But what does the concept of “Names” have to do with redemption? Briefly, the idea is that a name is what uniquely defines one’s character and potential. Our names reflect our own independence and self-purpose; our individual role in this world. In essence, the key to attaining true redemption was to discover our real “names”. (*Please see footnote*)

So if that’s a name, what does it mean to have a number? A number relates to the very same idea but on a completely different and perhaps greater context. When one is counted and obtains a number it is an indication that he is part of a bigger whole, that he belongs to a sum total of other individuals. For example; before meeting a bank teller in person we must pick a number and wait our turn. If someone gets the number 542, that means that 541 people before him have waited thus far at that bank; his number relates back to the greater whole. A number represents the idea of finding one’s own purpose not only within himself, but within a group. As a nation coming out of Egypt and traveling through the desert, it was incumbent that every individual discover his part to play in his relationship with the other people in his life and on a greater level, in his relationship to the entire Jewish nation.

However, the most important thing to realize beforehand is that everyone’s own role is as important as that of the one standing next to him. No one’s task is ever to be considered as on a higher or lower level than another’s. The Jews formed a unit of 603, 550 people and if even one person was missing, that unit would be lost. It is a well-known teaching that there are also 603, 550 letters in the Torah (Bible) and that every Jew in this world has his own letter. This message conveys that every single Jew has his unique portion in the Torah, and his true purpose can only be realized in a life dedicated to Torah. What is even more interesting is that the Jewish code of law, dictates that if a Torah scroll was missing one letter, literally, the entire Torah scroll would be ruled invalid and lose its sanctity completely. So too, if one Jewish soul is lost, if one Jew abandons or ignores his purpose, the entire Jewish national purpose in this world will be flawed as well.

This idea is clear not only in the first chapter of the Book of Bamidbar, which is completely involved in the nation census, but also in the second chapter as well. After being counted in the first chapter, the second chapter deals with the encampment of the nation during their journeys in their desert. We see a detailed and precise description of where and how every family in every tribe was to be placed in reference to the other tribes of the nation. Again, our placement in the camp teaches us how every Jew has their special place within the Jewish nation. What’s extremely important is that we were commanded to place the Mishkan (the Tabernacle, the House of God’s dwelling) in the middle of the national encampment [Numbers: 2: 17], which again teaches us that we can only seek our individual task within the Jewish nation as long as it revolves around Godliness.

So what does the book of “Numbers” have to do with the book of being “In the Desert”? The underlying character trait of a desert is that it’s completely empty; there’s literally nothing there at all for us. However, the very lesson of the book of “Numbers”, which we have developed thus far, is to look deeper into the desert and realize that it isn’t empty after all. Along our journeys, there was one thing in the desert that we were meant to uncover: eachother. After being redeemed, why didn’t God transport us right into Israel? Why did we need to travel through the long and weary desert roads? The reason was that through the nothingness of the desert, we would be able to discover the togetherness of our nation, and it was the only opportunity for every Jew to learn his part to play in the greater whole of the Jewish people.

Too often, we involve ourselves with entertaining and potentially meaningless social activities such as sport franchises, concerts, or even Kiddush clubs. The meaning behind it all is because we want to feel that we’re a part of something; that we belong to something greater than ourselves. God willing, one day we will each realize our own goals, and eventually come to understand that we already do belong to a far greater whole than anything out there: the Jewish people.

Good Shabbos,

NZL


*Because this idea lies beyond the scope of this essay, it was greatly summarized. If anyone would like to read a more detailed description of this concept, I would be glad to send you the complete essay.