This particular passage revolves around the census taken of the Israelites in the desert – "Count every firstborn male…" it says. (Numbers 3:40) But it's not just about counting heads. It's about something much deeper: value and significance.
The text uses a beautiful analogy. Imagine a merchant with two kinds of goods: glass jewels and fine gems. The glass jewels? He doesn't bother to count them carefully when he takes them to market or when he puts them away. He doesn't scrutinize them. Why? Because they're just glass. They're common.
But the fine gems? Ah, those are different. Each one is precious. He counts them meticulously, both when taking them out and when putting them away. He knows their worth.
According to this Midrash, this is how God views the nations of the world versus the Israelites. "For the nations of the world, I did not provide a census," God says, "Why? It is because they are of no significance to Me, as it is stated: 'All the nations are as nothing before Him.'" (Isaiah 40:17). Harsh, right? But before you bristle, consider the context. It's not about inherent worth, but about relationship.
But then comes the heart of the matter: "But you are My children, as it is stated: 'Who have been carried from birth…'" (Isaiah 46:3). Because of this special bond, God counts them every moment. He cherishes them. He sees each individual. That’s why it says, “Count every firstborn male…”
The passage then quotes the Song of Songs (6:8-9): "They are sixty queens…[and young women without number].… One is my perfect dove…" This "perfect dove," the Rabbah tells us, is Israel. Amidst the many, there is one that is cherished, unique, and seen as perfect in God's eyes.
Think about it: the vastness of the universe, the sheer number of people on this planet. It's easy to feel insignificant. But this passage reminds us that, at least within this particular theological framework, we are not just a number. We are each precious, each counted, each cherished by something far greater than ourselves. It's a powerful message of individual worth within a collective identity. It speaks to the enduring need to feel seen, valued, and loved. And maybe, just maybe, it offers a glimpse into how we, too, can learn to see the preciousness in ourselves and in each other.