“Take a census of the whole Israelite community by the clans of its ancestral houses, listing the names, every male, head by head. You and Aaron shall record them by their groups, from the age of twenty years up, all those in Israel who are able to bear arms. Associated with you shall be a man from each tribe, each one the head of his ancestral house.”[Bamidbar / Numbers 1:2-4]

I find it interesting that the reading begins with Moses taking a census of all who are able to go to war. Many people today argue that God is love and we should not focus on war. I feel however that this issue needs to be addressed in the light of the weekly Parashat (Parasha Bamidbar Hebrew for "in the desert,”).

Why would HaShem want the people to get ready for war? Would not HaShem protect Israel? The answer is Of course He would.

I believe that Judaism is an active faith. We are not required to simply stand around and wait for HaShem to do it all.

Thus the census!! Just like Israel we all have battles to fight, and although the battle is HaShem’s, we all have to do our part to ensure victory. David would have never known victory unless he picked up the stones to fight Goliath.
The fact is the world can be a cruel place and if we don’t prepare ourselves mentally, physically and spiritually we will not be able to face it.

That is one reason why I support The Israeli Army. Israel may not be right in everything it does, but it should have the right to defend itself against attacks of any kind. This includes, but is not limited to preparing for war in defence of Israel.

Understand, that I am not advocating violence here, just the idea that people have the right to defend themselves when faced with a life-threatening situation. It also states a time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.” [Kohelet/Ecclesiastes 3:8]

It would appear that HaShem wants us ready to fight when the need arises. So stand up and be counted today.