Weekly Sidra: Bamidbar (Numbers)
Torah Portion: Bamidbar / Numbers 1:1-4:20
Haftorah: Hoshea / Hosea 2:1-2:22
“The number of the people of Israel shall be like that of the sands of the sea, which cannot be measured or counted; and instead of being told, "You are Not-My-People," they shall be called Children-of-the-Living-God.” (Hosea 2:1)
One thing that can be said about the Jewish people is that they have a strong resiliency for survival.
This week’s reading starts the book of Bamidbar or Numbers in English. Moses is commanded to take a census of the children of Israel.
The Haftarah portion states that the people of Israel will be too numerous to count and that they shall be the people of God. This is incredible viewed in the light of many attempts to eliminate the Jewish people. The crusades, the pogroms and even the Holocausts could not rid the world of Jews.
We too can take solace in this fact. No matter how much people may hate or despise us we can always put our trust in HaShem.
Rav Shaul states “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
“To his talmidim Yeshua said, “Because of this I tell you, don’t worry about your life — what you will eat or drink; or about your body — what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. 24 Think about the ravens! They neither plant nor harvest, they have neither storerooms nor barns, yet God feeds them. You are worth much more than the birds! 25 Can any of you by worrying add an hour to his life? 26 If you can’t do a little thing like that, why worry about the rest? 27 Think about the wild irises, and how they grow. They neither work nor spin thread; yet, I tell you, not even Shlomo in all his glory was clothed as beautifully as one of these. 28 If this is how God clothes grass, which is alive in the field today and thrown in the oven tomorrow, how much more will he clothe you! What little trust you have! “In other words, don’t strive after what you will eat and what you will drink — don’t be anxious. 30 For all the pagan nations in the world set their hearts on these things. Your Father knows that you need them too. 31 Rather, seek his Kingdom; and these things will be given to you as well. 32 Have no fear, little flock, for your Father has resolved to give you the Kingdom! 33 Sell what you own and do tzedakah — make for yourselves purses that don’t wear out, riches in heaven that never fail, where no burglar comes near, where no moth destroys. 34 For where your wealth is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12:22-34)
Remember, those who belong to HaShem are His children and we will continue to survive, not due to our strength, but because of His strength.