Trial of Moses and Shekinah

Sounds simple enough, right? But picture it: trekking from tent to tent, peering into every dwelling, trying to keep an accurate tally. A logistical nightmare! As Ginzberg recounts in Legends of the Jews, Moses balked at the sheer audacity of the request. "Thou biddest me count them from a month old and upward," he protests to God. "Shall I now wander about their courts and houses and count each child...?" He was basically saying, "Seriously? You want me to do this?"

It’s a very human moment, isn’t it? Moses, the great leader, the lawgiver, overwhelmed by a seemingly simple census.

But here’s where the story takes a turn. God responds with words of encouragement, but also a hint of divine assistance. "Do thou what thou canst do, and I will do what I can do." A partnership! Work together.

And that's precisely what happened. The story continues that, as Moses went from tent to tent, he found the Shekinah – the divine presence – already there, waiting for him! The Shekinah, in this instance, miraculously provided him with the exact count of children in each household. Moses didn't have to count at all!

Think about that for a moment. Moses, the man, does what he can: he shows up. He puts in the effort, he begins the task. But the truly impossible part, the accurate counting of all those children? That was accomplished with divine aid.

What does this teach us? Perhaps it’s about the power of collaboration, even partnership with the divine. We are expected to do our part, to strive and to act. But we are not alone in the endeavor. Help is available. Maybe it’s not always as dramatic as the Shekinah appearing in a tent. But maybe it’s the unexpected insight, the timely assistance from a friend, or the sudden burst of energy when you thought you had nothing left to give.

So, the next time you're faced with a seemingly impossible task, remember Moses and the Levite children. Do what you can do. Take that first step. And trust that the universe, or whatever you want to call it, will meet you halfway. You might be surprised by the help that awaits.