Every Soul Still Matters – A Reflection on Parshat Bamidbar

This week marks 600 days since the October 7th Hamas attack, in which over 1,200 people were killed in Israel and 250 were taken hostage. It’s difficult to fathom that so much time has passed—and yet, the war still rages on. Israel remains in a deeply complex and painful situation. On one hand, many families and liberal voices are urging for an end to the war, longing for the release of the 58 hostages who remain in captivity. Each one is a soul, a world, a life that must be brought home.

On the other hand, the more conservative viewpoint cautions against a ceasefire that could be perceived as weakness. They argue that standing firm now is essential—not just for today, but to prevent future atrocities. For them, it’s not only about the remaining 24 known living hostages; it’s about safeguarding the future of the Jewish people as a whole.

Even so, there is no doubt that Prime Minister Netanyahu and others across the political spectrum share the desire to bring those 24 souls home. The difference lies in how to do so—with resolve, and without compromising Israel’s long-term security.

As I scrolled through pictures of the hostages, I found myself fixated on their faces. Each one a son, a spouse, a parent. Each one a world. The unimaginable suffering they’ve endured for over 600 days brings tears to the heart. And it reminded me of a central theme in this week’s Parsha, Bamidbar: every individual counts. Every soul matters.

In Parshat Bamidbar, the Jewish people are counted—not as a mass, but as individuals. The Torah goes tribe by tribe, name by name. It’s a census, yes, but it’s also a spiritual declaration: you matter. You’re not a number; you’re a name, a soul, a story.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe teaches that the counting in Bamidbar is not just about population—it’s about presence. Every Jew had a role, a place in the camp, and a unique mission in the wilderness journey. Even today, as we find ourselves in our own kind of wilderness—both nationally and spiritually—we are reminded that every life is significant. Every hostage is not just a political point in negotiation. Each one is a sacred soul whose absence leaves a hole in the collective body of Am Yisrael.

When we say every soul matters, it’s not just a slogan. It’s Torah truth. And this week, as we read Parshat Bamidbar and cry out for the return of our brothers still in captivity, we remember that Hashem doesn’t lose track of anyone. Not in the desert, and not now.

May we merit to see the safe and complete return of all the hostages—soon—and may we continue to carry their names, their faces, and their divine worth in our hearts and in our prayers.