The passage begins by interpreting a verse about those who left Egypt during the Exodus. It states, "There are sixty queens…" But instead of taking this literally, the Rabbis offer an allegorical interpretation. They say that the "sixty queens" represent the six hundred thousand men, aged twenty and above, who participated in the Exodus from Egypt. Okay, makes sense so far.
But it doesn't stop there! "And eighty concubines," the verse continues. According to this interpretation, these symbolize the eight hundred thousand Israelites, aged twenty and below, who also took part in that pivotal journey to freedom. So, we have a breakdown of the Israelites by age and a symbolic representation tied to royalty. It's definitely an interesting way to read scripture.
Then comes the phrase "and young women without number." Now this is where it gets really intriguing. The Rabbis explain that this refers to the countless proselytes – converts to Judaism – who joined the Israelite nation. There's "no limit and no tally" of them.
Rabbi Berekhya, quoting Rabbi Levi, then adds another layer: "The nations of the world have enumeration but do not have a tally." What does this mean? Well, the idea is that while other nations might have their descendants listed, the Torah doesn't provide a complete numerical count for them. We get genealogies, like "the children of Yefet, Gomer and Magog" in Genesis 10:2, but not a definitive head count.
But Israel, ah, Israel is different. According to this interpretation, Israel has both enumeration and a tally. The passage quotes Numbers 3:22, "Their count according to the number of every male…[their count was seven thousand five hundred]." Here, "their count" is the enumeration, and "according to the number" is the tally. It suggests a meticulousness in recording the Israelite population.
The text goes on, pointing to a similar distinction in II Samuel 24:9: "Yoav gave the sum of the number of the census to the king…" Here, "sum" is the enumeration, and "census" is the tally. It's a subtle but significant difference, highlighting the importance of precise record-keeping when it comes to the Israelite people.
Now, you might be thinking, "Wait a minute, isn't this just Israel testifying about itself? How reliable is that?" The text anticipates this question! It brings in an outside witness: the wicked Bilam. Even this non-Israelite prophet, in Numbers 23:10, acknowledges, "Who has counted the dust of Jacob," this is the enumeration, "or tallied one quarter of Israel," this is the tally. Even Bilam, who wasn't exactly a friend of Israel, recognized this unique characteristic.
So, what's the big takeaway here? It's not just about numbers. It's about identity, belonging, and the meticulous care with which the Israelite nation was – and perhaps still is – counted and considered. The passage suggests that there's something special about the way Israel is enumerated and tallied, a level of detail and precision that reflects its unique relationship with the Divine. It’s a concept that echoes through Jewish history and self-understanding.
It makes you wonder: what does it mean to be counted, to be seen, to be recognized as part of something larger than yourself? And how does that sense of belonging shape our identity and our purpose in the world? It's a question worth pondering, long after the story ends.