Lifting the Head of Israel and the Census in the Sinai Wilderness

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Bamidbar 8:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

Another interpretation (of Numbers 1:1): "And the LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, etc." What did He say to him? "Lift the head of the whole congregation of the children of Israel, etc." The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Israel: I have not loved any creature more than you. Therefore I have given you a lifting of the head, and I have likened you to Myself. For just as I have a lifting of the head over all who come into the world, as it is said, "Yours, O LORD, are the greatness and the might and the splendor and the victory and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and on earth is Yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom, and You are exalted as head over all" (I Chronicles 29:11), so too have I done for you, that you should have a lifting of the head. Therefore it is said, "Lift the head of the whole congregation of the children of Israel," to fulfill what is said, "And He has lifted up a horn for His people, praise for all His faithful ones, for the children of Israel, a people near to Him. Hallelujah" (Psalms 148:14). And so it says, "And the LORD your God will set you on high above all the nations of the earth" (Deuteronomy 28:1).

Themes

MosesSinaiExodusSinPsalms

Biblical References

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