The census in Bemidbar

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The Leviim and the Firstborn
Rabbi Ezra Bick
Why is the census described twice, and both times in great detail? Why aren't the Levites included in the census, while Moshe's orders not to include them only appear after the census? Why were the Levites given to Aharon, and only then said to replace the firstborns? Why were Moshe and Aharon's descendants mentioned separately?
Of Census and Service
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman
Why are Bnei Yisrael counted in Parashat Bemidbar? Chapters 1-2 indicate that the Levites serve God in the Mishkan, whereas Bnei Yisrael serve God in other ways: their service is expressed in the loyalty of following God's command and travelling to their destiny, toward the Land of Israel. This is considered no less of a service of God. Bnei Yisrael are enlisted for this service at the start of Bemidbar.
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?
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.
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."
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
Parshat Bemidbar Part 2: The Census
Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 25 minutes
This podcast continues the discussion regarding the order of the tribes listed in Parshat Bemidbar, and deals with the question as to why the tribe of Levi was not counted at this point.

Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com