The Bemidbar chapter begins with the order of G-d to count Jews one more time. Why one more time? The point is that for the 13 months after Jews left Egypt Jews have been counted for the third time.
Why count Jews so often? The wise men say every count had an implication. Though the reason in this chapter seems to be reasonable not enough. This time, as the wise say, G-d counted Jews to show them His love. But what's the point in counting them?
To explain that the wise provide an example of a man who counts his precious stones. He does that again and again with pleasure not because he foprgot how many of them he has. He likes and appreciates them so much that he just likes to look over them. So G-d counts His children because of his love.
But are all Jews worthy of such attitude? There are Jews who are hardly compared with diamonds.
On this issue a story about the fifths Lyubavitch Rebe comes to mind. He had a wealthy chassid who sold diamonds. He often watched the Rebe talking and explaining something to very ordinary Jews and that was weird and puzzling on his opinion. Some time later hi asked the Rebe about this and the Rebe answered that they have their own values. But I do not see any of them — replied the rich Jew.
Then the Rebe said unexpectedly if the rich Jew could sell some diamonds. The richman's face shone with happiness. He opened his purse with diamonds and put them on the table before the Rebe. Than he pointed to one stone and said that was a wonderful stone, a true diamond. But the Rebe shook his head and replied that he saw nothing special in the stone. The chassid answered respectfully: “I am sorry, Rebe, but I know the ropes better”.
Now it was the Rebe's turn and he noted with a smile: “You are right, one cannot say things he does not understand. Every Jewish soul is a diamond. But to see that you must know the things”.
This very idea is the reason to count Jews. All are equal when counted. Wealthy and poor, wise and stupid, righteous and scoundrel — they are just simple counting units. When counted all personal thing are lost and only essence remains — a Jew. In his essence every Jew is a diamond.
That is why G-d counts us with love like precious stones. He appreciates our essence. And we also should...
r. Shlomo Willhelm