And for this reason we read Parshas Bamidbar before Atzeres (Shavuos – ed.) in order not to bring close the curses of Parshas Bechukosia to Atzeres. (Megilla 31b Tosafos “Klalos”)

The Gemora (Megilla 31b) tells us that we must read the tochacha of Parshas Bechukosai before Shavuos, but there should be a “break” after this with the reading of parshas Bamidbar so that the parsha with the curses will not be right next to Shavuos. Rav Tzaddok Hakohein adds that it should be separated with a parsha that has an aspect of brocho. Similarly before Rosh Hashanah we read one parsha (either Nitzavim or Nitzavim/Vayeilech) to separate between the Tochacha in Parshas Ki Savo and Rosh Hashanah.

Rav Tzadok explains further why the parsha of Bamidbar is appropriate for this purpose. There is something unique about the entire book of Bamidbar. Bamidbar covers the transition from leaving Egypt to going into the Land of Israel, and the state of Klal Yisrael just before its entry. The next book, Devarim, deals with our imminent arrival into the Holy Land. Rav Tzadok tells us that the Jews were actually counted twice in the book of Bamidbar: Once in this week’s parsha, a census of those who left Egypt, and once again at the end of the book in Parshas Pinchas, a census relating to the division of the Land of Israel. These two stages of Klal Yisrael also correspond to the two different parts of the Torah: We have the written Torah which was given by Hashem on Mount Sinai via Moshe Rabbeinu to all of Klal Yisrael who left Mitzrayim. The Torah which was passed on to Yehoshua (as the Mishneh in Pirkei Avos (1:1) says, “…he transmitted it to Yehoshua…”), represents the oral law and all its traditions that must be passed on from generation to generation.

As we approach Shavuos, it is necessary for us to be prepared to receive the Torah. In order to do that, one needs to have a Shabbos beforehand, so that we can invoke (through our keeping Shabbos properly) the blessings of Shabbos. As we say in Lecha Dodi, “לקראת שבת לכו ונלכה כי היא מקור הברכה…” (To greet Shabbat let’s go, for it is the wellspring of blessing). Shabbos is the time that the world is in perfect balance, thereby readying us to accept the Torah. In fact, the Torah itself was given to Klal Yisrael on Shabbos.

As sefiras ha’omer is winding down, and our preparations for Shavuos are gearing up, it is important to make this Shabbos one that really counts. We can do this by using Shabbos to bring us to an emotional state in which we are ready to receive the Torah.

The English expression “killing time” means to engage in an activity whose only purpose is to make the time seem to pass more quickly. We, as observant Jews, understand that time is precious and that each second counts. The lessons of the counting should instill in us the idea that each moment counts, because that moment will never come back and has a unique purpose. So too, when one counts masses of people, it is also easy to say that one person seems very similar to the next, thereby diminishing his importance. But if we take the time out to think, we will realize that each person is a unique individual.

We are counting on you to make this Shabbos count.