Our Unique Purpose

By Rabbi Moshe Krieger, Yeshivas Bircas HaTorah (www.bircas.org)

Parashas Bamidbar begins with Hashem commanding Moshe to take a census of the Jewish people. Rashi comments that Hashem counted the Jewish people many times. Obviously, Hashem always knew how many Jews there were at any given time. The commandment to count the Jews was a sign of His great love for us.

What does counting have to do with Hashem’s love? The Ramban and Kli Yakar explain: A man entrusted with a priceless set of gems looks over them constantly to make sure they are all still there and in good condition. So too, in counting the Jews, Hashem expresses that He is always thinking about us and caring for us. We merit this love as the only nation who devotes ourselves to Hashem. It makes Him happy to see how many people are doing His will.

The census also symbolizes Hashem’s love for each Jew as an individual. The verse (Bamidbar 1:2) states that Hashem commanded Moshe to count the Jews according to the “number of names.” The Seforno explains that this count was unlike any other national census. As each Jew was being counted, his name was given special consideration by Hashem. A person’s name reveals something deep about his essence. This count of each individual was a consideration of his unique traits of character, strengths, and weaknesses. When Hashem counted these “names,” He was showing His appreciation of each of us as individuals.

The Torah uses interesting terminology when referring to the census. Hashem’s commandment to tally the people was, “Se’u es rosh Bnei Yisrael,” or, “Lift the heads of the Bnei Yisrael.” However, the Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 1:11) notes that the words can be translated in a more sinister way: “Lift off the heads of the Bnei Yisrael.” The Midrash explains that Hashem was hinting that if the Jews were worthy, their heads will “be raised,” meaning, they will achieve greatness. However, if they would not live up to their potential, they will perish.

Why did Hashem choose to hint to this idea here? What does the census have to do with living up to one’s potential?

Aside from an expression of Hashem’s love for us, the census symbolizes that each of us has our own mission in life, based on our unique combination of character, circumstances, and abilities. No one can do it for us, and we can’t do anyone else’s. Every challenge and opportunity that we have is uniquely suited to us. If we fail to complete the missions in our life, we have deprived ourselves and the entire world. Hashem alludes to this by the census. This was not simply taking roll call, but rather a lesson to the nation: each Jew counts, and only if we all fulfill our missions will the nation be truly complete. The responsibility of being a Jew is enormous, and ignoring this responsibility warrants severe punishment.

The Sefas Emes writes that when Hillel said (Avos 1:14), “If I am not for myself, who will be for me,” he was saying that when one does not do what he was put here to do, no one can take his place.

How do we know what our purpose is? The Vilna Gaon writes (Mishlei 16:4) that in ancient times, we were able to discover our purpose by asking a prophet. Unfortunately, we no longer have prophets to guide us. Nevertheless, we are not completely without guidance. As long as we strive to keep the mitzvos, learn Torah, and maintain a connection with a rav, Hashem Himself will make sure that we accomplish our goals.

The Slonimer Rebbe teaches that the tests that are most difficult are precisely the challenges that Hashem wants us to master. Overcoming and growing from these difficulties may be the reason Hashem put us here.

Naturally, comparing one person’s level to another’s is meaningless, if not outright destructive. After all, our purposes are not the same! True, there is a place for seeking role models to emulate. However, Hashem does not want those comparisons that lead to discouragement. Hashem put us here to succeed at our individual tests and no one else’s.

Rav Naftali Amsterdam once complained to his rebbe, Rav Yisrael Salanter, “If only I had the head of the Sha’agas Aryeh, the heart of the Yesod V’Shoresh Ha’Avodah, and the middos (character traits) of the Rebbe [Rav Salanter], I would really be able to serve Hashem properly!”

Rav Yisrael Salanter answered, “Hashem doesn’t want you to have the head of the Sha’agas Aryeh, nor the heart of the Yesod V’Shoresh Ha’Avodah. All He wants is for you to serve Him with the head, heart, and middos of Naftali [Amsterdam]!”

May each of us be zocheh to serve Hashem in the unique way that only we can!