In instructing Moshe Rabbeinu to take the count of Bnei Yisroel, Hashem's Divine words were carefully chosen to avoid misinterpretation. "שאו את ראש כל עדת בני ישראל" - "Elevate the heads of the entire congregation of Israel". The Torah was purposely given in the desert to teach us that only if one divests himself of all vanity and preconceptions - barren as a "wilderness" - is he capable of receiving the Divine word. On the other hand, demanding greater performance of oneself must be based on an awareness of one's potential. Every individual should know, that he or she is capable of being "elevated", of achieving the greatest heights.

     Explains R' Shamshon Raphael Hirsch zt"l, that this is the connection between the end of Sefer Vayikra and the beginning of Sefer Bamidbar. The end of Parshas Bechukosai contains the mitzvah of מעשר בהמה - tithing one's herd, whereby one counts his cattle and designates every tenth animal as "sacred". When it comes to counting the Jewish people, however, we must be aware that not just the tenth, but each and every one is holy and pure. An awareness of the inherent kedushah - holiness, within each one of us, that emanates from a neshama - soul, of Divine origin, should eliminate destructive feelings of inferiority, and should stimulate every person into actualizing the enormous potential contained within him.