spirituality >> Torah portion

Helping people stay at home & healthier long

ayal

.441..

A full service agency providing
quality care for your loved ones.

I

n this week's parshah, God com-
mands Moses and Eleazar, the son
of Aaron who has just succeeded
his father as high priest, to "take a cen-
sus of the whole Israelite community
from the age of 20 years up, by their
ancestral houses, all Israelites able to
bear arms" (Numbers 26:2).
Following this command,
the text then lists each of the
tribes and the number of
able-bodied men who belong
to that tribe. At the end of
the day, there are a total of
601,730 men. In addition,
23,000 Levite males from age
one month are counted sepa-
rately because they will not
be eligible for the military
nor will they receive land.
Rashi poses the question "Why, at
this point in time, does God ask Moses
to step forward and conduct a census?"
Rashi and other commentators
provide a threefold answer to this
question. First, the results are used
to divide the land among the tribes
according to their populations. Larger
tribes receive more land. Smaller
tribes receive smaller portions of
land. Though the size of the territory
assigned to each tribe is based upon
numbers of adult men, the location of
each territory is decided by lot to avoid
quarreling between tribes over who
receives the best property. (Location,
location, location!)
The second reason is to gain a sense
of military strength for the upcoming
war against the Midianites.
The third reason is to determine just
how many adult males are left after
both the recent plague and after the
almost 40 years of wandering in the
desert. The first census was taken a
year after the Exodus as Moses took on
responsibility for leading the Israelites
through the desert. Now, almost 40

years later, the generation of slaves has
died off and only Moses, Caleb and
Joshua remain from that generation.
As Moses ends his term of office
and passes the mantle of leadership
to Joshua, the census provides a clos-
ing benchmark to Moses' leadership.
Moses the shepherd wants
to demonstrate that he has
been responsible and has
cared for his flock as he
turns them over to Joshua.
At the Jewish Federation's
Alliance for Jewish
Education, we follow in
Moses' footsteps and annu-
ally conduct a census of our
tribe. However, instead of
counting able-bodied male
adults, we count children
enrolled in Jewish schools. Three thou-
sand years later, the reasons for our
census are the same as Moses' (though
there are no current plans to go to war
with the Midianites).
As Moses counted to determine
size of land allocation, we count to
determine allocation of communal
resources.
As Moses counted to determine mil-
itary strength, we count to determine
the strength of our overall Jewish edu-
cational system to provide for a robust
vibrant Jewish future.
As Moses counted to demonstrate
his care for his flock, so we count
as a demonstration of our care and
commitment to Jewish education in
Metropolitan Detroit.
Why did Moses conduct a census of
the Israelites? Why does the Alliance
conduct an annual school census?
Because in our Jewish tradition, from
Moses until today, every Jew counts.

❑

Jeffrey Lasday serves as the director for
the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan

Detroit's Alliance for Jewish Education.

Conversations
• There is a Jewish tradition of not counting people. How does this
square with conducting a census?
• In the first census of the Israelites in Exodus, the census is
conducted by counting contributions of half shekels instead of directly
counting individuals. Why, then, are individuals directly counted in this
week's parshah?
• If you were to conduct a comprehensive census of the Metropolitan
Detroit Jewish community, what questions would you want to include?

• Live-In or Hourly
• No minimum hours
• Complimentary Assessment
• Ongoing Care Coordination
• All employees are bonded & insured

Caregivers Assist With:

' Medication Reminders
' Safety Monitoring
' Transportation

Call
Lynn Feinberg
Today

'Bathing & Dressing
'Kosher Prepared Meals
'Skilled Care

(248) 594-4574

visit us online • arcadiahomecare.com

Cupcakes-
Cookies &
More!!!

On the Boardwalk * 6879 Orchard Lake Rd. * West Bloomfield
www.dakotabread.com

Care. Comfort.
Compassion.

When you need it most.

S enior Helpers stands ready to serve

your family's needs with personalized

in-home care, and expertly trained,

professional caregivers.

Peace of mind begins with your free in-home

care initial assessment. Call today to learn more.

Lila Bonded and insured. All rights reserved. ©2013 SH Franchising, LLC.

June 27 • 2013

43

