In Bamidbar, the Jewish people are counted at the start,
and the commentaries question the meaning of this part.
Perhaps the point was for the people to appear,
before Moshe and Aaron, leaders they revered.
Or, maybe it’s just normal to count to explore,
how many men are in your nation before you go to war.
It could be that these numbers needed to be provided,
to see how the land should be divided.
To me, Rashi’s explanation is most preferred,
and in discussing it, love is the one key word.
If someone loves you, you can depend,
on their checking and counting on you again and again.
Rashi gives three examples of our loving God counting us,
and each case is needed, not one is superfluous:
When we left Egypt—post chet haegel—and after the Mishkan was erected.
In what way do these examples each stand alone, yet stay connected?
I think these three times represent displays,
of love expressed in different ways:
God carried us out of Egypt on eagles wings,
when you love someone you care for them by doing things.
After the chet haegel, the Jewish people needed rebuke,
you will find love in this behavior if you are astute.
The Mishkan’s loving counting might stump you—however,
there may be no greater act of love than spending time together.
May we be like Hashem and count our people with great affection,
cherish one another despite our imperfections.
Rabbi Neil Fleischmann, an ordained rabbi from RIETS, has taught Torah for over 30 years, primarily at The Frisch School, where he coached the award-winning poetry team. As an integral part of the Yeshiva Poetry Society, Fleischmann is a passionate advocate for the arts within the Torah world. He was named New York’s funniest rabbi and has performed stand up comedy, as well as presenting as scholar in residence, across the city and country. His literary work includes the haiku collection, “In The Field,” and he has contributed close to 20 poems to the “Stories of Our Lives” anthologies, parts 1 and 2. Currently, Fleischmann is working on a book of parsha poems that combines meaningful content with whimsical formatting. You can reach him at nfleischmann1@gmail.com.
