Finding America in Numbers: A Model of Political Leadership for the 21st Century

The book of Numbers is more than an ancient chronicle—it is a profound exploration of leadership, justice, and the interplay between faith and freedom. While many wrestle with its depiction of an angry God, this fresh perspective reveals its ongoing relevance, especially for secular Americans. Numbers offers profound insights into the foundations of democracy, illustrating that true governance is rooted in process and procedure rather than outcomes. Witness Moses’s pivotal shift from ruler to visionary, as he lays the groundwork for systematic government built on the separation of powers—a concept that America’s founders later wove into the fabric of democracy itself. Engaging and thought provoking, this book uncovers the hidden connections between biblical wisdom and the ideals that shaped a nation. Numbers is not just a story of the past; it is a mirror reflecting the principles vital to our future.

Michael J. Broyde is a law professor at Emory University in Atlanta who has served in a variety of rabbinic positions throughout the United States. During the 2018 academic year, he was a Senior Fulbright Scholar at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and in 2019, he is teaching Jewish law at Stanford Law School.


Reuven Travis has taught a wide range of classes, including Jewish law, Bible, and Jewish history, to students from grade two through high school. He received his BA from Dartmouth College, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa. He holds a master's degree in teaching from Mercer University and a master's in Judaic studies from Spertus College. In addition to this Curious Student's Guide series, he has also published three scholarly works on the books of Job, Numbers, and Genesis, respectively.