Parashat Bamidbar
15th May 2026
Week of 10-16 May 2026
Torah portion : Num. 1 :1-4 :20 Haftarah : 1 Sam. 20 :18-42Theme: Counting in the Wilderness
This Parashah presents a number of puzzling contents giving rise to questions. The first puzzle concerns the two names for the book: Numbers – counting; and Bamidbar – in the Wilderness.
In ‘Another View’ by Beatrice Lawrence in ‘A Women’s Commentary’ we read about why Numbers as a title was given to this book. This title implies the counting as trying to organize the journey through the wilderness. The principles of organization are value – laden: counting only the able-bodied men of fighting age and putting the Levites into units with unequal privileges concerning the Holy Sanctuary. Thus, the overarching tone is that of patriarchal and hierarchical.
This phenomenon still exists today: who ‘counts’ in society. In a reading from Matthew 14:13-21 we read the following: “When evening approached, the disciples came up to him and said, ‘This is a deserted place (Wilderness) and the hour is now late. Send the people away now so that they can go to the villages to buy some food for themselves.’” (v15). After all, had been fed by means of Jesus’ compassion, the following is narrated: “20 They all ate and were satisfied. Then they gathered up the fragments that were left over—twelve full baskets. 21 Those who had eaten numbered about five thousand men, in addition to women and children.” Other translations state ‘not counting the women and children.”
The desert setting presents a various number of symbolic meanings:1) barren and humbling nature; 2) owner lessness and communal access; 3) preparation for Divine mission; 4) metaphor for spiritual barrenness; 5) death before renewal; 6) centrality of God and Torah.
In Bamidbar, the desert symbolizes both a physical and spiritual wilderness. It is a place where identity is purified, dependence on God is fostered, structure and purpose are instilled, and the community is transformed into a unified, holy people. The wilderness thus serves as a teaching ground: emptiness and barrenness become instruments for spiritual elevation and preparation for life’s sacred mission.
For Reflection and Discussion:
1) What are your experiences of not being counted? Have you ever disregarded anyone because of not thinking of them as significant?
2) According to the symbolic meanings of Bamidbar which ones have you experienced? Can you place your church community, your country and our world into any of these?
Bibliography: Eskenazi, Tamara C. “A Women’s Commentary” New York:2008; biblegateway.com NCB; Office of the Chief Rabbi: torahtodayministries.org
This week’s Parasha Commentary was prepared by
Bernadette Chellew, KZN, South Africa, Bat Kol Alumna: 2008
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