The temptation to make the Torah conform to the values of one's surrounding society has on many occasions led exegetes to distort the meaning of the text. The opening parshiot of Sefer Shemot (from Shemot until Beshalach) present classic instances of this phenomenon, for they contain three instances of Israel deceiving the Egyptians. Moreover, each case of deception is mandated by God!
The silver trumpets which appear in Parashat Beha'alotekha are a challenge to understand: What purpose do they serve? What use do they have after the arrival in Eretz Israel? What meaning do they hold for us today?
Sefer Bamidbar is known as the Book of Numbers for the lengthy censuses at its beginning and end; but while the Torah tells us why the latter count is necessary, no such explanation is apparent for the former, leading us to ask: who needs this census?
