(Numb. 1:1) “Then the Lord spoke unto Moses in the Sinai desert.” This text is related (to Ps. 36:7), “Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains; Your judgments are like the great deep.” The righteousness that You bring into the world is proclaimed upon these mountains. (Ibid., cont.) [But] “your judgments are like the great deep.” A judgment which You execute for the world is like the great deep. As the deep is in a secret [place], Your judgments are also in secret. How so? When Jerusalem was destroyed, it was destroyed on the ninth of Ab; but when it was shown to Ezekiel, it seemed to be on the twentieth. Why? So as not to publicize<sup class="footnote-marker">1</sup><i class="footnote">Gk.: <i>parresiazesthai.</i></i> it. However, when He came to magnify Israel, He did publicize [on which day], in which place, in which month, in which year, in which era.<sup class="footnote-marker">2</sup><i class="footnote">Gk. <i>hupateia</i> (“consulship”).</i> On which day? (Numb. 1:1) “On the first of the month.” In which place? (Ibid.) “In the Sinai desert.” In which month? (Ibid.) “In the second month.” In which year? (Ibid.) “In the second year.” In which era? (Ibid.) “After their Exodus from the land of Egypt.” What did He say to them? (Numb. 1:2) “Count the heads of all of the congregation of the Children of Israel.”
Midrash Tanchuma, Bamidbar 1
Curated by The Jewish Mythology Team
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