census
Is it Better to Be Counted or Countless?
As the name implies, the Book of Numbers begins with a census of the Jews one year after leaving Egypt, setting the number of non-Levite males over the age of 20 at 603,550. When the Torah is read in synagogues on Shabbat, an accompanying...
Counting the Soldiers in God’s army
The Book of Bamidbar, which literally means 'in the desert', is referred to in English as Numbers. Rather appropriately, it begins with a census of the Children of Israel (Numbers 1). This is, in fact, the third census taken during the...
The Portion of Pinchas
Our portion picks up where last week’s left off, in the aftermath of a plague. Phineas is blessed by God for his actions and a new census of the people is taken. The brotherless daughters of Zelophehad appeal to Moses for a share in the...
The Portion of Bamidbar
The portion of Bamidbar is the first in the book of Numbers, and opens it with a census. It has been a year since the people left Egypt, and the Tabernacle is entering its operational stage. The camp needs to be arranged around it. ...
