בס”ד
By Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron
This parsha enumerates the People of Israel as an army is counted. Indeed, the parsha calls Israel here “legions.” This matter may give us understanding into a meaning to this counting. Israel are preparing themselves to conquer the Holy Land through their army, and the Torah wishes to value this important matter, for through Israel’s conquest of the Holy Land, they will merit to settle in it, and raise the power of the Holy Presence therein.
Settlement of the Holy Land in many verses of the Tanach is described as being enrooted in the Land just like a plant or tree is enrooted in the earth. This painting depicts Maarat Hamachpela in a very vegetative scene. Maarat Hamachpela and Hebron, Beacon of the Holy Land, themselves are symbols of Israel’s settlement of the Holy Land through the merit of the holy Patriarchs and Matriarchs and Hashem’s promise to them. In their merit Israel are enrooted in and connected to the Holy Land like trees are enrooted in the earth. Indeed, also the name Hebron, which means connection, also stands for this, connecting and tying Israel to its Holy Land, Land of the Torah through which the Holy Presence rests.