In this Parshah, we are commanded to take a census, to count the Jewish people. In an exploration of the language used, Reb Meir shows us that each of us truly counts.
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Parashat Ba’Midbar Numbers 1:1 – 4:20
Haftarah Ba’Midbar … Hosea 2:1 – 22
KOL HATOR Commentary
As we constantly point out, Rabbis today habitually apply Torah Messages and Commentaries to Jews only – as if only Jews (the Tribe of Judah) came out of Egypt in Exodus; only Jews stood at Mt Sinai; only Jews were covenanted to God. Facts and Torah confirm that 12 Tribes were involved, as in this Bible Reading also. The first 2 chapters of Parashat BaMidbar (Numbers ch. 1 and 2, go into the finer detail about the counting of each Tribe, stating the number counted for each Tribe! Not just Jews.
Thus this inspiring interpretation of this Rabbinic commentary applies to the 10-Tribed House of Israel also – though they are still in exile after their masse eviction from the Promised Land in 720 BCE. This statement will no doubt be strongly opposed, especially by the “Jews only” interpreters. But, this is where a double confirmation of the wider application of this Blessing applies: Behold! The Haftarah Reading for BaMidbar comes with a staggering Divine Confirmation, and we quote:
Hosea 2
| א וְהָיָה מִסְפַּר בְּנֵי-יִשְׂרָאֵל, כְּחוֹל הַיָּם, אֲשֶׁר לֹא-יִמַּד, וְלֹא יִסָּפֵר; וְהָיָה בִּמְקוֹם אֲשֶׁר-יֵאָמֵר לָהֶם, לֹא-עַמִּי אַתֶּם, יֵאָמֵר לָהֶם, בְּנֵי אֵל-חָי | 1 Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass that, instead of that which was said unto them: ‘Ye are not My people’, it shall be said unto them: ‘Ye are the children of the living God.’ |
| ב וְנִקְבְּצוּ בְּנֵי-יְהוּדָה וּבְנֵי-יִשְׂרָאֵל, יַחְדָּ, וְשָׂמוּ לָהֶם רֹאשׁ אֶחָד, וְעָלוּ מִן-הָאָרֶץ: כִּי גָדוֹל, יוֹם יִזְרְעֶאל | 2 And the children of Judah [Jews] and the children of Israel [Northern 10-Tribe Kingdom] shall be gathered together, and they shall appoint themselves one head, and shall go up out of the land [of exile] . |
The rest of this chapter then records the heart-breaking Plea of HaShem for His exiled Bride to Return. Verse 4 – 16 describes God’s rejection of His Bride but …
Verse 16 onwards:
| טז לָכֵן, הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי מְפַתֶּיהָ, וְהֹלַכְתִּיהָ, הַמִּדְבָּר; וְדִבַּרְתִּי, עַל-לִבָּהּ. | 16 Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness [where the counting was done], and speak tenderly unto her. |
So, if you are non-Jewish and have hearkened to God’s Call to return to Him (to His Torah Covenant and to your heritage as His returning Bride from her harlotry), then rest assured that you are included in this Blessing and the Count as defined in this commentary. Proceed in faith and with confidence to re-covenant with God by converting to Judaism and returning to the remnant Chain, the House of Judah, which maintained the Divine Torah Mandate given to Judah.
Blessings!
