Dvar Torah Bamidbar — The Love Never Wavers

Bamidbar — The Love Never Wavers
וידבר ה’ אל משה במדבר סיני באהל מועד באחד לחדש השני בשנה השנית לצאתם מארץ מצרים לאמר: שאו את ראש כל עדת בני ישראל למשפחתם לבית אבתם במספר שמות כל זכר לגלגלתם
Hashem spoke to Moshe in the wilderness of Sinai, in the Tent of Meeting, on the first of the second month, in the second year of their Exodus from the Land of Egypt, saying, “Take a census of the entire assembly of the Children of Israel according to their families, according to their fathers’ household, by number of the names, every male according to their head count” (Bamidbar 1:1-2).
This is the third time in just over a year that Hashem instructed that the Yidden be counted. Rashi explains that Hashem counted them at every opportunity out of His love for them. He counted them when they first left Egypt; after they were punished for the Sin of the Calf, to see how many remained; and now, when they set up the Mishkan and He was ready to rest His Shechinah among them.
By looking at the specific instances in which these counts occurred, perhaps we can glean a greater understanding of Hashem’s love for us, as well as a meaningful lesson.
The three occasions reflect three very different circumstances.
The Sin of the Calf marked the gravest moment of betrayal. Mere weeks after committing themselves unreservedly to accepting the Torah, Bnei Yisrael worshipped an idol, an action comparable to a bride betraying her new husband while still under the chuppah (Shabbos 88b; Gittin 36b).
By contrast, when Hashem’s Shechinah was ready to reside in the Mishkan, this marked one of Klal Yisrael’s finest hours. Immediately and wholeheartedly heeding Moshe’s call for donations of materials for the Mishkan, they generously parted with their wealth. The work was skillfully done in precise compliance with Hashem’s commandment. Mission accomplished and the result was grand.
The Exodus from Egypt was neither a moment of betrayal nor an occasion of impressive devotion to Hashem. As the Navi (Yechezkel 16:6-7) describes, “Va’e’evor alayich va’ereich misbosesses be’damayich…ve’at eirom va’eryah — Then I passed you and saw you wallowing in your blood….and you were naked and bare.” Bnei Yisrael were helpless and in distress, like an abandoned newborn, and Hashem freed them and took care of them.
These three very different occasions can be compared to three stages in a child’s life in regard to his relationship with his parents.
Leaving Mitzrayim, we were, as mentioned, like a young, helpless ward, who was being cared for without having done anything to deserve or not deserve that care. By the Eigel, we were like a rebellious adolescent, who abandons rules and breaks loose of his parents’ authority and control. Finally, with the construction of the Mishkan, we were like the mature and loyal child, who enjoys a close relationship with his parents, having fully gained their admiration and trust through his own hard work.
Although the level and nature of Bnei Yisrael in each of those three times differed radically, what was no different was Hashem’s love and chibah for us: He counted us all the same!
The lesson is that while we all have our ups and downs in life in our relationship with, and service of, Hashem, through it all, the singular fondness and love He has for us remains steadfastly in place.