Weekly Parsha

Rabi Yosef Adler

Our parsha begins with the instructions as to how to take a census of Am Yisrael. One method that we are clearly to avoid is a direct count of each person. The reason offered is "vlo yehiyeh negef bifkod otam", so there shall not be a plague when you count them. Commentaries have dealt and struggled with this rationale.

An interesting interpretation has been suggested by Rav Amiel. Years ago if you suggested to initiate a count of am yisrael one would say just go into every shul and count all the people in shul and you would know how many Jews there were in that city. Unfortunately, today that would not be an accurate barometer. Come to shul on Yom Kippur and count those attending. Once again, today that would not lead to an accurate count. Go to all the butcher shops and check the number of customers they serve. Is it possible that there is Jewish family that does not observe kashrut? Unfortunately, we know that all Jews do not keep a kosher home.  Go to the cemetery and count the headstones. Every Jew in town is buried in Jewish cemetery. So the Torah says "Don't rely on a plague (negef - which leads to death) when you count them." Live a Jewish life and let us establish an accurate census by those who come to shul every Shabbat and are committed to the entire Torah.