Parsha Talk Bemidbar 5781 – With Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Jeremy Kalmanofsky and Barry Chesler

Parashat B’midbar [Num. 1:1-4:20] opens Sefer B’midbar [Book of Numbers] with a census of the Israelite men aged 20 and over, suitable for military service. And if that were not dry enough, the census information is repeated, given as the 4 camps [one for each direction (east-south-west-north)]. Eliot could not quite bring himself to say it was an amazing parashah, but I think we did it, and ourselves, credit. We found meaning in the details of the census, discussed the exchange of Levites and first-born as religious functionaries, and discussed Shavuot, the two-day holiday celebrating the Giving of Torah which begins Sunday night. At the beginning and end we expressed our concern for the situation in Israel, and to her people and those who are there, which includes our children, extended family, and friends. May God grant our request for peace for Israel, her people, and all who dwell on earth. Shabbat Shalom! Chag Sameach! (Image by Cole Keister)