Parshat Bamidbar gives an exhaustive census of the Israelite nation in the wilderness, followed by the mapping of the wilderness encampment.
But what is the purpose of counting the nation? Why does God instruct Moses to take a census of the Children of Israel, and why at this historical juncture?
Please discuss:
- Why count the people of Israel in the wilderness? What is the purpose?
- Do they have a national census in your country? Is a national head-count a depersonalizing process or is it a procedure that actually acknowledges each and every citizen?
Click here to read more from Rabbi Alex Israel on Bamidbar: Why Count a Nation?
