34 B’midbar - In the desert - Numbers 1:1-4:20

About this episode

This episode discusses the significance of individual worth in the context of God's love and the counting of the Jewish people in the Book of Numbers.

The Worth of a Man Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) notes at the beginning of the Book that God counted the nation at every significant turn because he loves it. So too, the fact that the people were counted as individuals proves the infinite worth of every Jew, and sets the precedent for God’s undying love to see every one of his created subjects return to a loving relationship with him through his Unique and Only Son. Certainly it would have been easier and quicker to count the people en masse, and that would have been the proper course if all that mattered were sheer numbers. But that would have caused the individual to be an insignificant member of the total community and it would have obscured his personal responsibility to grow and contribute. Each tribe had its own uniqueness to contribute to the national well-being and each individual was precious in his own right. So it remains true today, as has been demonstrated by Yeshua’s obedience even unto death! “For God so loved the world that he gave his only and unique Son, so that everyone who trusts in him may have eternal life instead of being utterly destroyed.” (John 3:16, emphasis mine) Also, “For the passage quoted says…

People in this episode

Host: Ariel ben-Lyman HaNaviy

Topics covered

• individual worth
• God's love
• Jewish identity
• spiritual responsibility
• community uniqueness

Keywords

• B'midbar
• Numbers
• Rashi
• individual responsibility
• Jewish community
• spirituality
• God's love

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: John 3:16, Rom. 10:11-13