That feeling, that inherent worth… it's something the ancient rabbis grappled with too. And they found a powerful message about it in the very first verses of the Book of Numbers, Bamidbar in Hebrew.
The Torah portion opens with God speaking to Moses "in the wilderness of Sinai" (Numbers 1:1). God commands him to "take a census" of the people, using the Hebrew phrase se’u et rosh. Now, se’u et rosh literally means "lift up the head." But the Rabbis, in Bamidbar Rabbah, that treasure trove of Midrashic interpretations, see so much more in those words.
God, according to this interpretation, is saying to Israel, “I was not fond of any creature more than you.” Wow. Think about that for a moment. In all of creation, God has a special fondness for the Jewish people. But why? What makes them so special?
The answer, according to Bamidbar Rabbah, lies in the idea of telui rosh – according preeminence or literally "hanging the head," giving prominence. God says, "I accorded you preeminence… and likened you to Me." Just as God has preeminence over all mankind, as it says in I Chronicles 29:11, "Yours, Lord, is the greatness… and the preeminence over every head [vehamitnaseh lekhol lerosh]," so too, God gives preeminence to Israel.
It's a powerful metaphor. God isn't just counting heads; God is recognizing, elevating, and celebrating the inherent worth of each individual within the community. It’s about lifting them up.
That's why it says se’u et rosh – "lift up the head." The Midrash connects this to the verse "He raised a horn for His people" (Psalms 148:14). A horn, in biblical imagery, is a symbol of strength, dignity, and pride. God is raising up the people, giving them strength and dignity. Similarly, Deuteronomy 28:1 tells us, "The Lord your God will place you uppermost over all the nations of the earth."
What does this all mean for us today? It's not about superiority or arrogance. It’s about recognizing the unique potential within each person, the spark of the divine that connects us all. It’s about understanding that we are part of something bigger than ourselves, a people with a shared history and a shared destiny. It is a reminder that we each have intrinsic value.
So, the next time you feel lost or insignificant, remember the words of Bamidbar Rabbah. Remember that God has a special fondness for you. Remember that you have preeminence. Lift up your head. You are part of something truly extraordinary.