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Copyright 2003 Darche Noam Institutions
"Chumash Hapekudim:
A Fitting Title for Bemidbar"
The Tanaim (Mishna Yoma
7:1 and Sotah 37b) referred to the book of Bemidbar as "Chumash Hapekudim,"
the Book of the Countings. Why did they base the title on the taking of the
census? The counting of the people seems to be two apparently minor episodes
of a very exciting and dramatic book.
Essentially, explains the Netziv, the two countings (in Parshat Bemidbar and
in Parshat Pinchas) highlight the book of Bemidar's main theme, the shift in
the type of Divine Providence Israel experienced during its forty year journey.
The book of Bemidbar chronicles the transition from the direct Divine Providence
of the early years to the less blatant Divine Providence that followed as they
approached the land of Israel.
There is a slight difference between the count in Parshat Bemidbar and that
of Pinchas. In Bemidbar, Efraim precedes Menashe, whereas in Pinchas, Menashe
comes first. Efraim, though younger, was spiritually more developed than Menashe.
The Parshat Bemidbar count is the first step of arranging the camp of Israel
as the Divine Chariot upon which the Divine Presence rests. They will experience
miraculous and intense Divine Providence. Therefore, the more spiritual Efraim
precedes. The Pinchas count is part of, a more temporal, practical arrangement,
preparing for this-worldly life in the Land of Israel. Therefore, Menashe, physically
the first born, is listed first.
Israel themselves brought about the transition to less direct Divine Providence.
In Parshat Behaalotekha they lust for meat and complain about the Manna -- saying,
in effect, that they do not want to live with the high spiritual level that
accompanies it. Constant Divine Revelation established high standards of behavior
that the people were not necessarily willing to live up to.
The sending of the spies was an indicator of the people's move towards less
direct Providence. According to Rashi there had been no command to send spies
but there had been no prohibition against it either. Israel opted to send them.
Sending spies before conquering a land in a natural manner is perfectly natural
and legitimate. However, if the high level Divine Providence would have persisted,
G-d would have miraculously removed the sinning Canaanites Himself, alleviating
the need for spies entirely.
This Israel-initiated shift in the intensity and openness of the Divine Providence,
the central story of the Book of Bemidbar, is illustrated by the slight differences
between the two countings. Our Sages therefore saw fit to call Bemidbar the
Book of Countings.
[prepared by Eliezer Kwass]
from
Classic Divrei Torah on Parshat Shavua
Print Version of http://www.darchenoam.org/articles/web/parsha/ar_bemidbar.htm
Copyright 2003 Darche
Noam Institutions