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However, before we get to all this action, there is a curious sentence about which I would like to comment. G-d tells Moses: "When you take a census of the Israelite people according to their enrollment, each shall pay Adonai a ransom for himself on being enrolled...." (Exodus 30:12). Why does each person who is counted have to pay a ransom to G-d? According to Rabbi Gunther Plaut, "counting was considered a privilege belonging to God, and humans conducting a census without divine approval thereby placed themselves in dire danger." (The Torah: A Modern Commentary, p. 632). If counting is a divine privilege, why do we routinely count things like money, material possessions and, most recently, votes. I believe that we count things that are quantifiable—but only G-d can count things that are not quantifiable, like love, faith, patience, and belief. If we reflect upon all the ways we use the word "count," we realize how G-d’s way of counting is really more important than ours.
Rabbi Stacy Offner points out, “We say "Let's make this count" when we mean, "Let's make it matter." We say, "I'm counting on you" when we mean that we are depending on someone. Using the word in this way shows that counting is not just about numbers but about significance and dependability as well. Perhaps our understanding about counting is key to our understanding about the rest of the events in the parasha. The Children of Israel counted the days that Moses was up on the mountain instead of making each day count. Rabbi Offner asks “How would the story of our lives be different if instead of counting our money, we made our money count; if instead of counting the days until our next vacation, we made each day count?”
When the Brattleboro Overflow Shelter needed volunteers, they felt that they could count on BAJC, and they were right. When a young family needed shomerim to watch over their beautiful child, they counted on BAJC and they were right. When members and non-members look for Jewish services, they count on BAJC to provide them and they are right. But, BAJC has needs as well, and we count on you to help meet those needs. The fundraising committee needs help soliciting ads for the program book for the third Israeli Film and Food Festival coming up in August. The Sunshine Committee needs volunteers to visit individuals confined to their homes or a facility. The Hospitality Committee needs a few people to prepare onegs after services. The Social Action Committee needs folks interested in pursuing important community work. The Adult Education Committee needs help to get the word out about the wonderful courses being offered. So, the question is… can BAJC count on you? Please let me know how you can help.
B’shalom,
Marty
P.S. It is said that because women refused to let their jewelry be used for the building of the golden calf, G-d gave women Rosh Chodesh, a special holiday celebrated each month on the new moon. A group of BAJC women have been gathering to worship, study, talk and dine together on Rosh Chodesh and they would like you to join them in this beautiful tradition. To learn how you can participate, please contact me.
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