Gaea's

Parshat Bamidbar begins with the third official count of the Jewish
nation. The term used in the Torah is that we should “count the heads” (1:2) of all the households, but the Hebrew word “Se-u” could also mean, “lift the heads”. Why would the Torah use such ambiguous language? Also, why were they to be counted according to their households, which had never been done in the past? Rashi informs us that prior to the census each Jew was required to produce a book of their lineage. The Midrash adds that producing this book was also required to be able to receive the Torah. Why is receiving the Torah dependent upon having this book of lineage?

Rabbi Zweig explains that surpassing the expectations that have been
defined by one’s social upbringing is what gives a person a sense of
accomplishment. If a person is able to identify their lineage, they
might learn that their ancestors were people who took responsibility
for themselves and had honorable standards. For the rest of the world, the very act of taking responsibility is in itself an elevating sense of accomplishment. However, behaving responsibly is not considered an accomplishment for G-d’s chosen nation. Jews are EXPECTED to behave differently than animals, to act responsibly, for our forefathers have set a standard that makes anything less unacceptable. This explains why households were important enough to be counted. The Ramban (Nachmanides) enforces the lesson of our Parsha by explaining the use of the Torah’s language: The alternative meaning of “lifting” of the heads can also be a positive, but only if the body and its actions are lifted with it. Our heads and minds can lift us to greatness, so long as we have our actions to take us there!

Related posts:

1. Dvar for Bamidbar (Numbers 1:1-4:20)
2. Dvar for Naso (Numbers 4:21-7:89)
3. Dvar for Netzavim-Vayelech (Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30)
4. Dvar for Pinchas (Numbers 25:10-30:1)
5. Dvar for Beha'alotcha (Numbers 8:1-12:17)
6. Dvar for Korach (Numbers 16:1-18:30)
7. Dvar for Chukat-Balak (Numbers 19:1-25:9)
8. Dvar for Vayechi (Genesis 47:28-50:26)
9. Dvar for Shlach (Numbers 13:1-15:41)
10. Dvar for Naso (Numbers 4:21-7:89)
11. Dvar for Matot-Masei (Numbers 30:2-36:13)
12. Dvar for Shemot (Exodus 1:1-6:1)
13. Dvar for Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1-24:18)
14. Dvar for Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8)
15. Dvar for Vayechi (Genesis 47:28-50:26)
16. Dvar for Terumah (Exodus 25:1-27:19)
17. Dvar for Vaeira (Exodus 6:2-9:34)
18. Dvar for Yitro (Exodus 18:1-20:23)
19. Dvar for Chukat (Numbers 19:1-22:1)
20. Dvar for Beshalach (Exodus 13:17-17:16)