Counting of Israel

[BlueBird2]

Hello,

is there a reason why the people of Israel shouldn't be counted? In other contexts numbers and quantities appear to be important and legitimate. Are there other areas where countings are avioded?

"Now David did not take their count from twenty years old and below because the Lord had promised to multiply Israel like the stars of the heavens. Joab the son of Zeruiah commenced to count, but did not finish, and there was wrath upon Israel because of this, and the number did not come up to the number of the chronicles of King David."  (1.Chr. 27: 23&24)

[searchinmyroots]

Good question Blue Bird.

If I'm not mistaken, one of the reasons may be that when you count someone, it sort of "individualizes" them. We are to be as a nation, a people as a whole, not individuals.

There are other reasons I'm sure, just have to dig in and find them.

This may help explain as well - https://www.chabad.org/library/article_c...t-Jews.htm

[BlueBird2]

searchinmyroots, thanks very much for your answer! I have never heard that before and it makes sense. The text in chabad is also good to understand.

[searchinmyroots]

You're welcome Blue Bird!