Parashat Bemidbar— On Numbers, Numbers, Tests and Counting
We might be forgiven for thinking that these two verses contradict each other:
“It is not because you are the most numerous of nations that the Lord loves you and chose you—indeed, you are the smallest of nations!” Deuteronomy 7:7
“The Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying… Take a census of the whole Israelite community.” Numbers 1:1-2
Do numbers matter or not? The verse from Deuteronomy, long one of my favorites, seems to be saying that they don’t. God didn’t choose us for our quantity; in fact, our numbers are insignificant in God’s eyes. But the verse from the book of Numbers, which we commence this week, implies that numbers matter a great deal. Many resources are needed to conduct a census; would all that time and effort have been invested if numbers don’t matter?
The answer depends on how the numbers are used. To function as a community, we often need to know quantities. If we want to feed the hungry or support the elderly, we need data: How much help is needed, and what kind? How much will it cost? What are our resources? And yet, if we were to be governed purely by cost-benefit ratios and expense reports, we would quickly lose sight of values that can’t be quantified, such as human dignity, or questions that have no numerical answer, such as “Do we feed the hungry as efficiently as possible, or do we also prioritize nutrition and environmental responsibility?” We need numbers and values; we need both verses.
This need for balance holds true in education as well. At Schechter, we are proud to be an independent school, not beholden to multiple-choice exams. And yet we are investing time this week on standardized tests. Does this contradict our basic philosophy? No more than Numbers contradicts Deuteronomy. We seek a proper balance. The numbers help us to measure whether we are meeting certain measurable goals; they don’t tell the whole story, but they do help us make sure that we are fulfilling our mission.
As individuals, as a school, and as a society, may we always find our proper balance!
Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Jonathan Berger
Head of School
Questions for the Shabbat table:
1. The census we read this week was taken for military purposes: to count how many men could serve in the Israelite army. How do you think the former slaves felt as they were being counted for military service?
2. Have you ever been hurt by being treated like a number? How have you benefited from data-based approaches?
