Shabbat Shalom -
I have added several more names to my Shabbat message distribution list. I hope that for those people who are receiving this for the first time, you do not mind being added. If you do, as I have said to others before, please let me know and I will take you off the list and I promise that my feelings will not be hurt.
Over the past six months, at least, we have been talking a lot about numbers: economically, socially, demographically and philanthropically. We have been very focused on the gains and losses in the market, the gains and losses in the campaign, the amount of Create a Jewish Legacy commitments and the size of our Jewish population in the Pioneer Valley. I really could go on with many more examples.
As we set a campaign projection, deliberate the 2009 allocations, and prepare the fiscal year budgets, this time of year we are particularly focused on numbers. I find this quite curious as this week's parsha is Bamidbar and the central theme is an accounting or a census of the Israelites in Sinai. The parsha details who is counted, how everyone is counted and how they are accounted for by G-d. Why is there such detail?
In thinking about what we count and why, it occurred to me that we count things that not only do we use numbers to assert the validity of what we say or do, but perhaps more importantly we count those things that are most precious to us. Think about the important numbers in your life - the age of your children, how many children we have, the age of our parents, dates of birth, anniversaries, how much money we have (or do not have) in retirement - again there are many examples. My thought is that we were counted in the desert not so that we know the numbers of people, but so that we are shown our importance to G-d. We were counted because we were and are still a very precious commodity. In honoring our numbers it shows the success of our Exodus from Egypt and what we can achieve as a nation.
Why do we talk about the campaign dollars and comparisons - it is not the numbers that we report but the value that they bring to those in need. It is not the number of Create a Jewish Legacy Commitments, but it is the possibility of the future that they hold. While the bottom line numbers in our budgeting process are undeniably important, it is our role as stewards of the community funds for which we are accounting and accountable. Through this parsha we once again learn that numbers matter - in the simple count and in a much larger and broader context.
This Shabbat I will not only count my blessings, I will focus on why I am so blessed and I hope you will too.
Shabbat Shalom -
Meredith
