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BAMIDBAR

Numbers 1:1-4:20

Hosea 2:1-22

1 Cor.12:12-20

The Torah Portion begins in the wilderness of Sinai; where G-d tells Moses to take a census of the tribes. The men were counted from the age of 20 years and upward who could go out to war which amounted to 603,550.

Then the Levites were counted, numbering 22,300. They were to take the place of the first born of all the tribes. Moses then tells of the duties of the Priests and Levites in and out of the sanctuary.

Also, we are told of the redemption of the first born from one month and upwards.

Numbers is believed to be the fourth book of the Bible. The central theme of the book is service. The book tells us of the children of Israel and their wilderness journey, and the loss of the first generation that left Egypt, in the wilderness due to lack of faith and trust in G-d.  All except for Joshua and Caleb perished. Those that were under twenty entered the land of promise.

Even though G-d is always being provoked by the children of Israel, He keeps the covenant that He promised to the Patriots; Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Some scholars describes the wilderness experience as the "longest funeral march."

For us today there is a lesson to be learned. The children of Israel doubted G-d's word and walked in unbelief. We need to have faith and not be full of doubt and double mined. The Promised Land was the goal and inheritance. For us this should be an example of the spiritual inheritance that we have when we trust in G-d and receive adoption by the gift of our Messiah's leading us into a more abundant life.

Unbelief brought unnecessary afflictions and failure to grow. When we step out of faith we also show spiritual decline, loss of people who serve out of a love for G-d and His people. Some even have personal failures, such as in the area of finances, relationships, etc.

We need to have faith and trust G-d with all our beings as the Shema states in Deut.6:4. May we walk with total dedication to G-d, family, and our congregation.

Shavua Tov

Rabbi Z.

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