“…the tribes, ‘families,’ and individuals are counted several times throughout the book [of Bamidbar]… Why does the Torah present such a detailed census?

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One of the lengthy census’ fundamental messages is that both the nation as a whole and its component parts are exceedingly important and unique.

This teaching is especially crucial in today’s highly mobile world where…despite the scientific and telecommunication revolutions that have created a ‘global village,’ more individuals than ever feel isolated, confused, jaded, and dissatisfied with life.

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The Torah [creates] a clear context for individual identity [teaching] how the individual can find his or her place standing alone while simultaneously identifying and participating fully in family life, the workplace, the local religious community, the entire Jewish people, and the human race.

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Another lesson in the importance of the individual in relation to the collective was conveyed by the last Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who for years [stood] every Sunday for eight to ten hours in order to personally hand out dollar bills to thousands of his followers… He felt it to be of the utmost importance that he personally make contact with each of these people for even a moment… Throughout the ages there have been countless examples of Jewish spiritual leaders who acted in similar ways.”