This Shabbat we study the Parshah Bamidbar, meaning “In the desert” (Numbers 1:1). In the Sinai Desert, G-d says to conduct a census of the twelve tribes of Israel. The Levites are to serve in the Sanctuary. They replace the firstborn, whose number they approximated, since they were disqualified when they participated in the worshipping of the Golden Calf. The 273 firstborn who lacked a Levite to replace them had to pay a five-shekel “ransom” to redeem themselves.

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When the people broke camp, the three Levite clans dismantled and transported the Sanctuary, and reassembled it at the center of the next encampment. Before the Sanctuary’s entranceway, to its east, were the tents of Moses, Aaron, and Aaron’s sons.

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Beyond the Levite circle, the twelve tribes camped in four groups of three tribes each. This formation was kept also while traveling. Each tribe had its own nassi (prince or leader), and its own flag with its tribal color and emblem.

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Chabad.org

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Shavuot 2024 (a two-day holiday, celebrated from sunset on June 11, 2024 until nightfall on June 13, 2024) coincides with the date that G-d gave the Torah to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai more than 3,000 years ago. It comes after 49 days of eager counting, as we prepared ourselves for this special day. Every year on Shavuot we renew our acceptance of G-d’s gift, and G-d “re-gives” the Torah.

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It is celebrated by lighting candles, staying up all night to learn Torah, hearing the reading of the Ten Commandments in synagogue, feasting on dairy foods and more.

Children have a special role on Shavuot.  Writes Rabbi Moshe Bogomilsky, “According to the Midrash, when the Jewish people stood at Mount Sinai to receive the Torah, Hashem asked for a guarantee that they would keep it. They replied, “Avoteinu orvim otanu” — “Our ancestors will be our guarantors.” When this was unacceptable, they offered, “Nevi’einu areivin lanu” — “Our prophets will be our guarantors.” This, too, Hashem did not accept. When they said “Baneinu orvim otanu” — “Our children will be our guarantors” — Hashem replied, “Indeed these are good guarantors. For their sake I will give it to you.”

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Chabad.org

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Maybe you feel you just can’t hack it. Your mind affirms that there are no obstacles that cannot be overcome, but your heart is unable to overcome even its very own pangs. It’s true; there are people who do not run from anything, who know no fear of beast or man, of life or of death. Even as they enter this world, they remain above and beyond. They are the tzaddikim, those who never enter the monster’s lair. But if they never enter that place, how could they ever slay the dragon? You, on the other hand, you face that awesome, internal monster called fear on its own ground. So make a partnership. The tzaddik will lend you his power, and with it you will wrestle the dark monster to the dust. For all of us are a single soul.

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From an article by Rabbi Tzvi Freeman

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The peace and unity which were the preparation and precondition for the Giving of the Torah are also the preparation for the Messianic redemption. The present galut was caused by sinat chinam, gratuitous hatred. Thus we must nullify that cause by ahavat chinam, gratuitous love. There must be gratuitous (unqualified) love for every Jew-even to one who has never done you a favor, even to one you have never met or seen, and even to one who is chinam, devoid of any quality that would warrant feelings of love.  This love, this sense of peace and unity, is the channel for all Divine blessings, including the greatest of all: G-d speedily sending us Moshiach to redeem us, thus fulfilling: “In this place (the Land of Israel) which is now desolate... the sheep (the people of Israel) will pass before the one who will count them (Moshiach), says G-d!” (Jeremiah 33:12-13)

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From an article by Rabbi J. Immanuel Schochet

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Once there was a small town consisting of only a few Jewish families. Between them, they had exactly ten men over the age of bar mitzvah. They were all dedicated people and they made sure that they never missed a minyan. One day, a new Jewish family moved in to town. Great joy and excitement; now they would have eleven men. But a strange thing happened. As soon as they had eleven, they could never manage a minyon! When we know we are indispensable, we make a point of being there. Otherwise, "count me out."

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This week in the Torah reading of Bamidbar, we read of the census taken of the Jewish people. This portion is always read on the Shabbat before Shavuot, the "season of the giving of the Torah." One important and obvious connection is that in the Torah, too, every letter counts. One missing letter invalidates the entire scroll. Likewise, one missing Jew leaves Jewish peoplehood lacking, incomplete.

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Nine of the holiest rabbis cannot make a minyan. Enter one little bar-mitzvah boy, and the minyan is complete! When we count Jews, there are no distinctions. We don't look at religious piety or academic achievement. The rabbi and the rebel, the philanthropist and the pauper — all count for one: no more, no less.

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If we count Jews because every Jew counts, then that implies a responsibility on Jewish communal leadership to ensure that no Jew is missing from the kehillah, from the greater community. It implies a responsibility to bring those Jews who are on the periphery of Jewish life inside. To make sure they feel that they belong and are welcome — even if they haven't paid any membership fees. It also means that the individual Jew has commitments and obligations. If you're important, don't get lost. You are needed.

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Today, we are losing a lot of Jews to ignorance. But sometimes we also lose them because we didn't embrace them as we could have. At a time when they were receptive, we didn't make them feel welcome.

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We need to embrace everyone who walks in through our doors. And we need to do more than just wait for people to come to shul and make them feel welcome. We need to go out and find our people wherever they may be. Most certainly, when someone shows a spark of interest — a soul seeking its source — we need to be there; as an organized community, and as individuals.

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So next time you notice someone sitting at the back of the shul looking lost, or even just a new face in the crowd, try and spare a smile. You may save a soul. Every Jew really does count. Let's count them in.

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From an article by Rabbi Yossy Goldman

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