The parsha opens with the census of the Jewish people. Moshe is told, “Countthe Jewish people, according to their families.” (1:2) However, the exact phrase used is, literally, “Se’u et rosh”, or “lift up the heads of the Jewish People.” The obvious question is, “huh?” The Torah has a half dozen different words that mean “to count,” any of which would make a lot more sense. So what can we learn from the use of these three words?
Ramban notes that “Se’u et Rosh” has two different meaning ? polar opposites. Although it can mean that the people will be uplifted to a higher level, it has also been used to mean that a person’s head will be physically removed. (This was the exact phrase used when Yosef told the Pharaoh’s baker that he was to be executed.)
On a simple level, what we can learn is that there are two paths before each and every one of us. If we choose the right path and are worthy, we will reach great heights, but if we choose wrong, we could suffer greatly. On a deeper level it can be noted that each and every little part of our lives, every word, every choice and every action has the potential to be good or bad. That is why life is a series of small battles – the fight upwards is not about moving a huge mountain, it’s about making a dent in a large pile of pebbles – it’s doable, as long as you persist.