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Following the devastating plague that punished the immorality and assimilation of the Jews, G-d commands Moses and his nephews Elazar to take a new census. Some commentators suggest that G-d's love and sorrow following the plague motivate Him to count his beloved people, others read it as a preparation for war, and others understand it as a preparation for the division of the Land of Israel. Compared with the census taken thirty-nine years earlier, the Jewish people have diminished slightly, with some tribes such as Simeon having lost many men, while others like Menasseh having grown significantly. The sins of the people and the consequent plagues have clearly affected the natural growth rate. Interesting comments are made about specific members of the tribes such as Korach, Dathan and Abiram (Judah's sons), Zelophehad from the tribe of Menasseh, and Asher's daughter Serach.
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| Thoughts to Consider and Discuss |
1. For each of the three motivations for the census listed above, find the literary or thematic idea in the text that supports each commentator.
2. What do the commentators' opinions suggest about G-d's relationship to man? Is the G-d of justice or the G-d of mercy at work in this narrative? Explain.
3. Compare the annihilation of the plague and the subsequent renewal as described in this aliyah to the Holocaust and the birth of the State of Israel. What similarities do you find?
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"There is another reason why G-d commanded to count the Jewish people, because Moses was soon to die. To what is this compared? To one who gave his sheep to a shepherd. When the time comes to return the sheep, he returns them counted, as they were given to him counted. Here, too, when the Jews left Egypt, Moses counted them. G-d commanded him to guide them on the straight path so they should not falter. And now the time has come to return the collateral. G-d commanded Moses to return them counted and handed them over to Joshua already counted for the reason we said. And that G-d did not command Moses to include Joshua in this census was so as not to upset Moses, reminding him of his impending death, so he had Elazar [help him] and Elazar would tell Joshua so that Moses would not have to tell him."
Yalkut Shimoni expanded upon by Yalkut Me'am Loez on 26:1
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 | | Points to Ponder | |
How is Moses portrayed in this midrash? What images are evoked to support this portrayal?
Though Moses knows he will die, G-d makes the situation less unpleasant with His sensitivity. Can you think of other examples where just a little forethought can relieve one of unnecessary pain?
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