Parshas Bamidbar begins with a national census in which Moshe counted the male Jews of military age from 20 to 60, excluding the tribe of Levi which was not part of the army. The Torah records that the total count was 603,550, the same result as the previous census conducted in Parshas Pekudei (Shemos 38:26).
Although others disagree (see Sifsei Chochomim Ibid.), Rav Moshe Shternbuch posits that the Levites were counted in the earlier census. He explains that the significance of the two censuses yielding identical results, even though one included the tribe of Levi and one did not, is intended to teach us a valuable lesson.
The Levites were exempt from serving in the army so that they could dedicate their lives to serving Hashem. Nevertheless, it would be natural to worry that excusing an entire tribe from army service would weaken the national military. Hashem therefore arranged that the two censuses should produce the same results to hint to us that even when Levites are excluded, the nation remains at full strength.
Rabbi Dan Lifshitz adds that the point Rav Shternbuch makes on a communal level also applies on an individual level. As religious Jews, we spend significant parts of our day involved in Torah study and prayer. To an outside observer, these obligations appear to reduce the time available to spend with our families or engage in other activities. Just as the Jews in the wilderness were able to preserve their total numbers while freeing the Levites to serve Hashem, so too every one of us can fulfill our religious obligations while still maintaining the same quality of life. (R’ Ozer Alport)
