Devar/5768/Bamidbar
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עברית
English
from twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: ye shall number them by their hosts, even thou and Aaron. (Num 1:3)
The Torah again counts the Children of Israel, this time in order to determine how many of them "go forth to war". All the males, from twenty years of age and above, except the tribe of Levi. Why is Levi excluded from this census?
The tribe of Levi is excluded from the census because it is the one which serves in the Tabernacle, in the holy Temple. They already have an extremely important job, which cannot be deferred even in times of war and therefore not all of them go out to war. If so, why does the Torah count the entirety of the rest of the people? Are there not people who learn Torah as an occupation? Are there not professional doctors etc., whose work is extremely important?
The people are about to enter the Land of Israel, and there is a mitsva to conquer it -- this is a commanded war, in which the people are required to participate. But the commanded war -- everyone goes out [to fight], even the bridegroom from his room, and the bride from her chamber (Laws of Kings and Wars 7:7). And "assisting Jews from an enemy who attacks them" is also considered a commanded war.
With God's help, may we merit proper leaders, who will wage war against our enemies as the Torah demands, rather than lining their pockets with bribes. And the yeshiva students should also join the commanded war, as should everyone who is sound of body, as that is a mitsva upon them just as it is for all of us together. May God have mercy, and remove from us the evil government soon, amen!
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