The book of Numbers begins with a lot of counting, mainly of "men aged 20 and over, able to bear arms." Are the Israelites gearing up for war or being practical about safety based on their history with tyrants?

I’m not a rabbi, so every week, I look at our Torah portion and try to put it in conversation with the world around me. Judaism is rich in tradition, and each of us deserves the chance to find our own meaning in the text. Whether you’re studying Torah daily, or taking a moment to prepare for Shabbat, I hope you’ll make these ten minutes of Torah part of your week.

You can learn more about me, and my work, on my website – www.nathanjvaughan.com

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