Timeless Torah

I know it seems like only yesterday that we were dancing the Hakafos on Simchas Torah and beginning afresh the story of Genesis. Nevertheless, here we are already completing the second book of Exodus. The opening two Biblical volumes differ in that the first deals with the creation of a universe, while the second charts the creation of a nation. “Shmos,” as the second book is referred to by Jews, begins and ends with a counting. Concerning its opening passage, “These are the names…” the commentary Rashi states, “Even though G-d had already counted the Jews during their lifetime by their names, He counted them again to make known his love for them.”

Turning to the final pages of Exodus, we find the title of the last portion to be none other than Pekudei, meaning “Accounts.” This chapter enumerates the weights of all the contributions utilized in the construction of the Divine sanctuary.

Counting and accounting thus seems to be the opening and closing themes of this ancient record. Surely this must hold some relevant message for all of us.

A Jew’s life parallels the Book of Shmos. The moment he or she is born, they must be made to realize how important they are, how much they count. The reason is because Hashem’s love for each Jew is not based on what they will accomplish. Rather His love is that of a parent who proudly displays each newborn and calls each child by another name, not just as an additional number.

At the same time, however, the child must be brought up with the knowledge that his talents and abilities are not to be squandered. He cannot be pampered. For at the end of his life there will be an accounting of all that he contributed in carving out a little niche in this world so that it too may be a sanctuary for the Divine.