Torah Tidbit

Nasso (count, total), Numbers 4:21-7:89
This week’s parashah begins with the conclusion of Israel’s first census in the desert.  The purpose of the census isn’t to determine how many men can muster for military duty, but rather who “counts’ as a Jew, both by birthright and by personal commitment to living out a life the Torah way.  Part of this way includes stepping out into public service to the community whenever the community calls upon the individual to do so.  Those who are counted step over to be part of the congregation (adah), a group of people joined together and ultimately held together by a common calling.
“Take a census of the entire assembly of the Children of Israel, according to their families, according to their fathers’ household,  by number of the names, every male according to their head count.  From twenty years of age and up – everyone who goes out to the legion in Israel – you shall count them according to their legions, you and Aaron.” – Numbers 1:2-3
S.R. Hirsh interprets “Legion” (tzeva)  as “any united body of individuals under higher orders for public service or for such services to be rendered by such a body”.  Military duty is just one of many examples of such groups.  Another example is the organizing of levites for temple service (Numbers 4:23, 30).  

Walking the Walk

We too have just participated in our nation’s census.  Technically this census should be of United States citizens only, those who by legitimate birth or immigration have committed to upholding the laws and principles of the land.  These principles and laws in turn help draw us together to the common cause.  Many of these principles and laws are based upon timeless biblical values that are still upheld enough such that America is yet a great beacon of hope and freedom, a shining city on a hill, to all the rest of the world.  And that’s in spite of the degradation of morals and increasing lawlessness we’re now living through. 
For those of us striving to walk with God, we have dual citizenship – one for this nation, a second for the congregation of all who follow His ways.  Fortunately many of our values overlap and reinforce this great nation’s ways, regardless of the place and time.  As we do so “calls” (opportunities) for us to step out into public service in honor of the second citizenship can appear.  Not necessarily official public service, although that counts too, but rather opportunities to serve our neighbors, coworkers, stocker at the grocery store, you name it.  And when we do so we naturally build up this nation as well.