Dvar Torah for Bamidbar 1st Aliyah: Actual text: https://tinyurl.com/4m4e68nr Parashas Bamidbar relays five censuses of the Jewish people: per tribe, per flag, members of Levi who were at least one month old, the firstborn of every family, and the count of the Leviim ages thirty to fifty. However, the very first census contains unique instructions, directing a count “according to the number of names” (1:2). Why would we be counting names when we’re counting people? Rabbi Yochanan Zweig explains that counting can be used to combine individuals as a group, and it can be used to give each member of a group their own identity, such that each person counts and matters. One way to acknowledge a person’s uniqueness is to use their individual name, transforming even a mechanical count into recognition of distinct character. This census is intended to capture both the group totals, as well as everyone’s distinct contribution to the whole. With the Torah as our exemplar, we are encouraged to focus on the individuality of those around us and celebrate being counted with them. Please consider forwarding this to others so they can join! https://chat.whatsapp.com/I7IHQNPpKLF0adHHXTUYda