Today we begin the Book of Numbers with Parshat Bamidbar. In the Sinai Desert, God commands the Israelites to conduct a census. It's about numbers, and counting, sure. But, as Sivan explains, the parsha is really about making sure each person feels like they personally count. It's about validating others and raising their heads high. It's about experiencing oneself as an essential part of a whole. What's this got to do with Jewish leaders, from Moses to the Rambam, Rabbi Jonathan Sachs to the Lubavitcher Rebbe? Listen to find out.

Sivan Rahav-Meir is a leading Israeli journalist, media personality and Torah scholar. You can sign up for her The Daily Portion WhatsApp group, where Sivan sends small insights about Judaism and current affairs.
Check out Liel’s new book, How the Talmud Can Change Your Life: Surprisingly Modern Advice from a Very Old Book, available directly from the publisher, or wherever you purchase books.
You can find all of Tablet’s podcasts at tabletmag.com/podcasts.

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