God’s Heavenly Sefirat HaOmer: Why Counting the Jewish People in Bamidbar Is an Act of Love
Rashi on the census in the Book of Numbers and why our covenant at Sinai has outlasted every empire
The last week of the counting of the Omer coincides with The reading of the Torah portion of Bamidbar. In it G-d commands Moses to count the Jewish people. Rashi immediately addresses the obvious question of why an all knowing G-d required a count to know information he already has-and answers, that he counts us as a demonstration of his love for us. That is G-ds Sefirat Haomer. G-d loves the Jewish people. It's not our fault.
Stop blaming us. Though we never asked for any of this, the upcoming Holiday of Shavuot is a celebration of our acceptance of his choice. In it we recall G-ds offering us the Torah at Mount Sinai, and our enthusiastic acceptance. To be exact we responded with these words —"We will do and we will listen", thus demonstrating our unconditional and wholehearted agreement to enter into this Covenantal relationship. It's not as if this arrangement has made life easy.
No, to the contrary, we have been persecuted and hounded as a result of it for thousands of years by so many. But we have held on and our covenantal bond has not only not withered, it has stood the test of time while the commitment continues to deepen. If you read and believe the word of the scriptures, and reject the Jewish people, then read it again. Hating G-ds chosen people is akin to hating G-d himself. Something every Antisemite who has ever read the Bible would do well not to forget.
Much Love,
Rabbi Yossi