The Pitt's Dr. Robby Needs a Jewish Intervention
6 min read
In the 1960s, Marshall McLuhan informed the world that “the medium is the message.” He proposed that the media affect society primarily by the characteristics of the medium itself, rather than through the content that it carries.
Although this was viewed as a groundbreaking work in the field of media theory, the idea was actually expressed thousands of years before, in Parashas Bamidbar. God instructs Moshe and Aharon to take a census of the Jewish People. The census was the medium through which it would be known how many would be eligible for battle and, later, how the Land of Israel would be apportioned. This census, unlike our modern decennial census, was not conducted online or even through the mail. Tribe by tribe, each “head of household” appeared individually in front of Moshe and Aharon to give his name and to be counted. Each was counted not as a mere number, but as an essential component of a greater, distinctive whole. Ramban states that one reason for the census was so that every individual had the opportunity to benefit from the attention given them by Moshe and Aharon.
The characteristics of the medium (census) thus affected society in a much greater way than just the content (the actual number of people). Each Jew holds a designated place within the cohesive structure of the Jewish People. Embedded within the medium of the Torah’s narrative is the message that every individual possesses inherent value. Each person is Divinely endowed with traits and specific abilities meant to be developed. Each of us has an essential role to play in a greater collective journey spanning generations.
In our digital world, many feel cut off and distanced from their spiritual roots. We’re bereft of common goals and besieged by a pervasive divi- siveness. Yet, one thing is certain: a greater purpose, which transcends our immediate needs and desires, beckons us. Let’s reclaim the Torah’s model in which the inherent sanctity of each individual bestows human dignity.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson, recognized the supreme importance of the individual in relation to society as a whole. Every Sunday the Rebbe stood for eight hours or more to greet and bless his international followers individually. Hundreds of people would wait patiently in line for hours, just to have the opportunity to be in the Rebbe’s presence for a few moments. These moments were both life-changing and life-affirming for them. Every person was uplifted by their brief but transformative encounter with, and heartfelt blessing from, the Rebbe. As the Rebbe modeled through example, God has placed each of us here to fulfill his or her role in making the world a better place. The Rebbe would hand a dollar to every visitor so that each could donate it to charity, thus fulfilling the mitzvah of tzedakah.
We all want and need to feel that we are valued and that we count. Feeling isolated or marginalized from society, family, or friends is painful. We begin to shut down. The fact that God wanted us to be counted should instill within each of us a sense of self-worth. The fact that we count imbues us with purpose. Just as every note and every instrument in a musical score has its designated, distinctive time and purpose, so does every person play a significant role in God’s symphony of the world.
We are only as strong as the individuals, families, and communities that constitute the collective whole.
In taking a census, such as the one described in Parashas Bamidbar, it is forbidden to do a literal head count of the Jewish People. The manner of counting was through each person’s donation of a half-shekel coin.165 Each half-shekel represented one person. The half-shekel is a reminder that no Jew is complete on his own; we must join together to achieve unity. By working together for the overall greater good, we form a totality and wholeness. Like concentric circles, this completes and expands us.
The Torah’s description of the process of the census is indicative of its purpose. Rather than telling Moshe to count each person, the Torah instructs him to “se’u es rosh—lift the head” of all the people. Once again, rather than focusing the count on the totality of the mass, the focus was on the individual. The individual is not to be lost in the crowd or devalued. Judaism is distinguished by its emphasis on the integrity and dignity of the individual. Every human being is created in God’s image. While we must join together in unity, we are not to forfeit our individuality.
We are taught in a Mishnah that every life is like an entire universe.
Therefore, Judaism insists that the dignity of each individual be upheld. We are not to lose ourselves to the alluring conformity of the latest trends and current “values.” As the universe endures, so does the Jew. To retain our distinctive and distinguishing Jewish identities, we must lift our own heads above the “herd mentality” of the times. Value who you are and the special role that God wants you to assume. You can make the world a better place. Lift up your head and recognize your inner value. Realize that you truly matter and can make a difference.
Each of us can strive to integrate these lessons into our lives. Communicating to others that we appreciate their contributions validates their dignity. There are often others who, for various reasons, are on the sidelines and often excluded. Include them, count them as valued, and lift them up. We are a nation, but we are also individuals. This is both a challenge and a strength. May we strive to view ourselves not just as separate entities but rather as valued members on the same team. Only then can we each be empowered and inspired to fully play our unique part for the greater, collective, and enduring good.
Rambam taught that “each of us should see ourselves as if our next act could change the fate of the world.” What will be your next action? Make it count.
It took more than three thousand years for Marshall McLuhan to teach the rest of the world what the Torah taught us. The census, the medium itself, provided the message that has enduring relevance: “Lift the head.” The census itself was designed not just to count each person, but to make each person count!
