And the number of Bnei Yisrael shall be as the sand of the sea, which shall neither be measured or counted ... (Hoshea 2:1).
In the haftorah that is usually read with Parshat Bamidbar, the opening pasuk compares the number of people that comprise Am Yisrael to the sand by the sea, which cannot be measured or counted.
THE SYMBOLISM OF SAND
Earlier in the Torah, when Hashem instructs Avraham that his offspring will be plentiful, at times they are compared to sand, and at times they are compared to the dirt of the earth (והיה זרעך כעפר הארץ). What is the difference between these two comparisons?
The Meshech Chochma explains as follows: When Bnei Yisrael are united, they are like dirt that sticks together, and one cannot distinguish between its particles. When Avraham sought to spread monotheism, he sought to do so as עפר, to unify everyone to believe in one G-d.
However, Yaakov realized that in order to maintain our religion, we need to create a separation. Sand separates the sea from the land. As the waves hit the sand on the shore, they recede back to the ocean. To prevent outside influences and assimilation, certain boundaries are required, and that is symbolized by the sand that serves as a barrier between the sea and the shore.
SEPARATE BUT TOGETHER
The language used in the pasuk seems a bit odd. The pasuk begins with a statement with respect to the “number” of Bnei Yisrael and then ends that it cannot be measured. Why infer that there is a number when you know it cannot be measured or counted? In fact, the comparison to sand is also problematic, as the amount of sand cannot be measured by man, but it is finite and can be measured by G-d.
The Chatam Sofer explains that it is impossible for one individual to fulfill all of the mitzvot. There are some mitzvot that may not be applicable to every individual. By applying the principle of arevut, ערבות, that each individual acts on behalf of another, it enables the nation as a whole to fulfill all of the mitzvot. That is the comparison to sand. When each individual is distinct yet fulfills their obligation, only then is the nation considered as one and is therefore not countable (because it is like one). That is the goal, for each individual to achieve their potential, acting on behalf of the nation, so that we are one people.
As we celebrate Shavuot, we should be reminded of the unity we experienced when we gathered at Har Sinai כאיש אחד בלב אחד. May we continue to reach personal spiritual heights while maintaining our respect and concern for others to ensure our continued unity.
RABBI ELI MANSOUR
RABBI SHALOM ROSNER
