(from introduction to Haamek Davar on Bemidbar)
“Chumash Hapekudim: A Fitting Title for Bemidbar”
The Tanaim (Mishna Yoma 7:1 and Sotah 37b) referred to the book of Bemidbar as “Chumash Hapekudim,” the Book of the Countings. Why did they base the title on the taking of the census? The counting of the people seems to be two apparently minor episodes of a very exciting and dramatic book.
Essentially, explains the Netziv, the two countings (in Parshat Bemidbar and in Parshat Pinchas) highlight the book of Bemidar’s main theme, the shift in the type of Divine Providence Israel experienced during its forty year journey. The book of Bemidbar chronicles the transition from the direct Divine Providence of the early years to the less blatant Divine Providence that followed as they approached the land of Israel.
There is a slight difference between the count in Parshat Bemidbar and that of Pinchas. In Bemidbar, Efraim precedes Menashe, whereas in Pinchas, Menashe comes first. Efraim, though younger, was spiritually more developed than Menashe. The Parshat Bemidbar count is the first step of arranging the camp of Israel as the Divine Chariot upon which the Divine Presence rests. They will experience miraculous and intense Divine Providence. Therefore, the more spiritual Efraim precedes. The Pinchas count is part of, a more temporal, practical arrangement, preparing for this-worldly life in the Land of Israel. Therefore, Menashe, physically the first born, is listed first.
Israel themselves brought about the transition to less direct Divine Providence. In Parshat Behaalotekha they lust for meat and complain about the Manna — saying, in effect, that they do not want to live with the high spiritual level that accompanies it. Constant Divine Revelation established high standards of behavior that the people were not necessarily willing to live up to.
The sending of the spies was an indicator of the people’s move towards less direct Providence. According to Rashi there had been no command to send spies but there had been no prohibition against it either. Israel opted to send them. Sending spies before conquering a land in a natural manner is perfectly natural and legitimate. However, if the high level Divine Providence would have persisted, G-d would have miraculously removed the sinning Canaanites Himself, alleviating the need for spies entirely.
This Israel-initiated shift in the intensity and openness of the Divine Providence, the central story of the Book of Bemidbar, is illustrated by the slight differences between the two countings. Our Sages therefore saw fit to call Bemidbar the Book of Countings.
[prepared by Eliezer Kwass]
