Monday, July 21, 2008

Three cencuses

There are three cencuses lilsted in the Torah. The first is at the end of Genesis when Jacob and his family go down to Egypt. The second is at the beginning of Numbers when the Israelites are ready to move on from Sinai. The third is towards the end of Numbers as the Children are preparing to enter the Promised Land.

One name is mentioned in all three of the cencuses. It's not Moses. It's not Aaron. It's not Joshua or Caleb. It's Serach bat Asher. (Serach, the daughter of Asher). Why is this significant?

When Joseph was about to die, he told his brothers that God would remember them and that when they returned to the Promised Land that they should take his bones up with them. And then Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation died. And the Israelites were in Egypt 430 years. And then Moses came to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. But he had to get the bones of Joseph and bring them with him. Where was Joseph buried? Who knew where his bones were?

Answer-the only one who was still alive when Joseph exacted that oath from his brothers. That person was Serach, the daughter of Asher. And she is counted again at the beginning of Numbers and at the end of Numbers. There's a connection between past, present and future. And it is a woman who is the link.

Blessed be God for Serach bat Asher, the keeper of memory.

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