2010 Census

This year the United States government conducted a census. Thousands of census-takers visited households across the nation to record the number of persons living there, their ages, and other statistical information.

Who conducts the count and what qualifications do you need to do in order to become a census-taker? Answer: You have to call the 1-800 number to apply and then take a sampled list of names and be able to arrange them in alphabetical order.

Now to our Torah Portion: "And G‑d spoke to Moses and to Elazar the son of Aaron the Priest, saying: ‘count the heads of the entire community of Israel...’"(Numbers 26:1-2)

To take a census of the Jewish People, G‑d solicited none other than Moses himself! Moses - the man who sat from morning until evening conducting the affairs of the nation & the greatest teacher and prophet of all time – he was to personally be involved the census. And who did G‑d appoint to help him. Elazar, Aaron’s son (Aaron had since passed away), the High Priest of Israel.

Why the need for such a over-qualified individuals to merely count people? (They didn’t even need to ask for ethnicity – they were all Jewish!)

Allow me to answer with a story:

In 1986, the Rebbe began conducting a weekly "receiving line." Each Sunday, the Rebbe would stand in a small room near his office as thousands of men, women and children filed past to see him and receive his blessing. Many used the opportunity to pose a question and receive a word of advice.

Once, an elderly woman could not contain herself and burst out: "Rebbe, How do you do it? You are almost 90 years old, how is it that you do not tire?"

The Rebbe smiled and replied: "Every soul is a diamond. Can one grow tired of counting diamonds?"

Counting numbers may be a relatively simple task. But when it is people who are being counted; when each number represents a unique and holy soul; it is a task that must be conducted with sensitivity, reverence and trepidation. It is a task that requires a Moses.

If we take a moment and think about the genuine uniqueness that each of us possess, we can more greatly appreciate the inimitable contribution. And like Moses, we can recognize that we each hold a diamond waiting to be unearthed and allowed to sparkle and shine.

Let’s do one more mitzvah to let our souls glow!

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Raleigh Resnick