Census

Found 26 Search results

Families
Rabbi Ezra Bick
The key to understanding the unique nature of Parashat Pinhas is the significance of the families in this census. The families are emphasized throughout the counting process.
Of Census and Service (Audio)
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman |
What is the purpose of having a census so soon after the one in Sefer Shemot? This shiur explores possible purposes of the census, looking at biblical instances of census-taking. Ultimately, the census narrative of Bemidbar appears to send a message about unexpected aspects of Divine service.
The Census of the Leviim (Audio)
Prof. Jonathan Grossman | 19 minutes
What is the reason for a census at the beginning of Sefer Bemidbar? And why is Levi not included in the general count? This shiur examines the significance of the census narratives in the parasha, uncovering messages about the role of the tribe of Levi and how they are meant to relate to Bnei Yisrael.
The Camp of Israel
Rabbi Alex Israel | 35 minutes
In this introduction to Sefer Bemidbar, which starts with a census, we look at the idea of counting and examine Rashi’s comments here and elsewhere about the census being part of God’s love for Bnei Yisrael. Other commentators further enhance and expand our perspectives on the Divine census and the encampment of Bnei Yisrael in the desert.
The Unity of Parashat Naso
Rabbi Alex Israel | 37 minutes
Naso is a long parasha, with various topics strung together (such as Gezel ha-Ger; Sotah, Nazir, and Birkat Kohanim). This shiur maps out the content and then seeks to explain the juxtaposition of the topics in this parsha which ultimately form a coherent whole.
Rehabilitation of the Family Unit
Shani Taragin |
God commands Moshe to count the nation, a command which interrupts the sequence between the Sin of Pe'or and the war of retribution against Midian. In addition to the military purpose of the census, and the need of a current count for settling the land, the census at the end of BeMidbar emphasises the family unit. Thousands were killed in the plague following the Sin of Pe'or, where illicit relations brought destruction upon the family unit. The census emphasizes the need to rehabilitate the nation by rebuilding and reinforcing the family unit.
The Censuses in the Desert
Rabbi Elchanan Samet
How can the numbers in the census in Bemidbar be identical to the numbers at the end of Shemot? And why is there a need for another census seven months after the first?
The Census and the Plague
Rabbi Yaakov Medan
This article discusses the role of the half-shekel as an atonement for the census taken of Am Yisrael. We also explore the story of the census and its subsequent plague during the time of King David, whereby Chazal say that the plague broke out as a punishment for the people's failure to demand that the Temple be built. Examining this event as well as Haman's decree threatening Israel's annihilation during the time of Achashverosh can shed light on the purpose of the half-shekel as a reminder to God of the silver sockets in the wall of the Temple, therefore providing atonement for their sins.
Bemidbar - Not Just Numbers
Rabbi Yair Kahn
תאריך פרסום: תשע"ו | | 12 minutes
Why does Sefer Bamidbar open with the census of the people of Israel, and why do Chazal seem to view the census as reflective of the very essence of the book?
Families (Audio)
Rabbi Ezra Bick | 12 minutes
The key to understanding the unique nature of Parashat Pinhas is the significance of the families in this census. The families are emphasized throughout the counting process.
The Second Census
Rabbi Yair Kahn
The beginning of our parasha contains a rare scriptural phenomenon known as a "pesik be-emtza pasuk" – a break in the middle of a verse. In the Torah scroll, there is a space between the beginning of verse 26:1, "When the plague was over," and the continuation of the pasuk, "Hashem said to Moshe and to Elazar son of Aharon the Kohen."

This abrupt break itself demands an explanation, but the difficulty is compounded when we take a closer look at the context of this verse, that seemingly digresses from the general theme of the war with Midian. Suddenly, we find a thematic digression as the Torah introduces the recounting of Bnei Yisrael, the incident of the daughters of Tzelofchad, and the appointment of Yehoshua. This is followed by two halakhic sections, a lengthy description of communal sacrifices and a brief section dealing with personal vows. Finally, the Torah returns to the campaign against Midian and repeats the command to attack. Why is the command to attack Midian repeated? What is the meaning of this digression? Why was it necessary for the Torah to insert this entire section into such an inappropriate location? What is the connection between these sections to Sefer Bamidbar, and with the war against Midian?
The Second Census
Rabbi Yair Kahn
תאריך פרסום: תשע"ו | | 15 minutes
Why were the people of Israel commanded to battle Midian twice, and what does this teach us about the evolution of Israel's national identity?
Shekalim - Counting Money
HaTanakh.com Staff
Parashat HaShavua Parashat Shekalim - Everyone is Accountable for a Relationship With God
Rabbi Alex Israel | 34 minutes
In this shiur, we will look at the Parasha and Haftara for Shekalim, and offer contemporary perspective on the ideas therein.
We will look at the haftara's connections with the Parasha but delve into the haftara to shed light on a lesson for contemporary life about implementing a system with checks and balances, with an appropriate balance between trust and accountability. We also find messages about the need for the People of Israel to rise above passivity - every individual must be active and involved in order to develop a relationship with God
Erev Shabbat Parshat Ki Tisa - A Census Prohibition
Rabbi Ezra Bick | 14 minutes
Parashat Ki Tisa has an unusual set of te’amim (cantillation notes) at the beginning of the instructions relating to conducting a census of Bnei Yisrael. We look at the meaning of the Divine command and prohibition, and ask why King David mistakenly thought he could conduct a census without penalty.
Short Thoughts on Bamidbar - The Census and the Small Tribe of Levi
Rabbi Ezra Bick | 6 minutes
Bemidbar details a census of Bnei Yisrael and a separate one for the Leviim. Commentators notice that by far the smallest of the tribes is Levi. Why is that? We look at a few explanations, some relating to the experience of enslavement in Egypt.

One opinion is that the Book of Shemot mentions that as Israel was oppressed, they multiplied - but Levi was not enslaved. Another opinion is that a higher spiritual level is usually associated with a rarer commodity, or with less material success. Or perhaps it was a favor to the Tribe of Levi so that they could be sustained with limited space and resources allocated to them.
The Half-Shekel
Rabbanit Sharon Rimon
Parshat Ki-Tisa opens with the subject of the half-shekel. What are Bnei Yisrael being commanded to do here? What is the purpose of giving a half-shekel? Clearly, the issue of counting is central to this unit. But is there actually a command to hold a census? Through an analysis of the various reasons for conducting a census, we can understand that it must be conducted along with an offering to God, reminding us that it is God Who made us numerous, Who gave us the power to succeed. In Parshat Ki-Tisa, among all the commands concerning the building of the Mishkan, God commands us to number the people by means of giving an offering to God, in order to remind us – specifically during the census – the place of the Divine Presence amongst Israel, the dependence upon God, the need to turn to Him.
“What is man, that You should remember him, and a mortal, that You should count him?”
Rabbi Gad Eldad
Parshat Ki-Tisa begins with the description of a census of Bnei Yisrael, which was carried out by means of the half-shekel. Up until now, the subject has been the construction of the Mishkan, along with its vessels and related matters. It is not clear how the census has anything to do with this. In addition, the commentators are divided as to whether the command conveyed here is applicable to future generations, or whether it is limited to a one-time census. Through a close examination of the text, we can understand that the point is not the census, but rather the atonement money that is collected by means of the census and which is used in the Mishkan. Atonement money prompted by the heart and ransom of the soul are two dimensions that nourish one another, jointly purifying man and bringing him closer to God.
Rounding of the Numbers of the Censes of Bnei Yisrael
Rabbi Elchanan Samet
What is the Torah's system for transmitting these numerical data? Does the Torah round to hundreds, to tens, or not at all? This article addresses this question through an examination of the censes listed throughout Sefer Bamidbar.
Parashat Bamidbar: Not Just Numbers
Rabbi Yair Kahn
Even a superficial glance at Parashat Bamidbar reveals a basic difficulty. The counting and recounting of the people seems superfluous and trivial. The Torah, which at times is so exacting regarding the use of words, is quite expansive and generous with respect to the census of Israel. Not only do we note surprising detail, but puzzling repetition as well. This presents a number of basic questions. How is this parasha relevant to us? Why was it included in the Torah, whose message is eternal? In short, what is the Torah trying to tell us by recording these statistics?

Furthermore, the census at the beginning of Bamidbar is not the only one found in the sefer. The people are counted once again in detail in Parashat Pinchas. (We also find elaborate statistics of the spoils won in the war with Midyan in Parashat Matot). Therefore, the title awarded to this sefer by Chazal, "Chumash Ha-pekudim," may reflect a deeper understanding of the essence of the sefer. If we succeed in discovering the significance of the census, it will help us not only gain a greater appreciation of Parashat Bamidbar, but a more profound insight into the entire section of the Torah known as "Chumash Ha-pekudim."
Parashat Bamidbar: Not Just Numbers (Audio)
Rabbi Yair Kahn | 11 minutes
Even a superficial glance at Parashat Bamidbar reveals a basic difficulty. The counting and recounting of the people seems superfluous and trivial. The Torah, which at times is so exacting regarding the use of words, is quite expansive and generous with respect to the census of Israel. Not only do we note surprising detail, but puzzling repetition as well. This presents a number of basic questions. How is this parasha relevant to us? Why was it included in the Torah, whose message is eternal? In short, what is the Torah trying to tell us by recording these statistics?

Furthermore, the census at the beginning of Bamidbar is not the only one found in the sefer. The people are counted once again in detail in Parashat Pinchas. (We also find elaborate statistics of the spoils won in the war with Midyan in Parashat Matot). Therefore, the title awarded to this sefer by Chazal, "Chumash Ha-pekudim," may reflect a deeper understanding of the essence of the sefer. If we succeed in discovering the significance of the census, it will help us not only gain a greater appreciation of Parashat Bamidbar, but a more profound insight into the entire section of the Torah known as "Chumash Ha-pekudim."
Ramban on Parshat Naso - Your Individual Task
Rabbi Ezra Bick | 34 minutes
In Parashat Naso, we encounter a census and the delineation of various divisions of the responsibilities of the Kohanim who are to dissassemble, carry, and reassemble the Mishkan on the nation's journey through the wilderness. Ramban comments on the special mention of the family of Merari among the Kohanim, who are charged with a special task. We can all seek to remember to work on knowing our mission and destiny to fulfill our tasks to our best abilities within our own lives.
Ramban on Bamidbar: "Tifkedu Otam" - Remembrance and Supervision
Rabbi Ezra Bick | 38 minutes
The book of Bemidbar begins with a census – a Divine command to count. Ramban discusses what the word used for count - "pakad" actually means- to actively remember and supervise.

We explore the meaning of a census and why it is generally forbidden and severely limited. The finite and infinite clash. The notion of counting is limiting, minimizing, whereas the Jewish people are in process of increasing, expanding.
Parshat Bemidbar - Of Counting and Consequences
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 35 minutes
Parashat Bemidbar begins with a census. We will be discussing the topic of counting in this shiur. What is the purpose of counting and how is it done?

We compare with Parashat Ki Tisa (Shekalim) and ask: why is it that counting can lead to a plague? Why is it that kofer – machazit hashekel can fix this problem?
Parashat Pinhas and the Primacy of Counting in the Book of Bemidbar
Dr. Yael Ziegler | 34 minutes
At the beginning of Parashat Pinhas is the second Divine command to count Bnei Yisrael (the first at beginning of Bemidbar).) This event has far more importance than just counting the people. It becomes the name for the book: the Sages' name for the book of Bemidbar is"The Book of Counting" - the Sages – see it as the essence of the book.

We examin various suggested reasons for God's command to count Bnei Yisrael, and we note that the second counting has a major difference in the reasons for counting from that of the first census: we find military vs. inheritance to explain the disparities.
Parshat Bemidbar Part 1: Introduction to Sefer Bemidbar
Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 25 minutes
This podcast introduces Sefer Bemidbar by noting its content, structure and context. We also highlight the differences between Bemidbar and Vayikra, and discusses the order of the tribes, the dates in the book, and the goal of a census.

Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com