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There is an opposite use of pakod, where it means to note not who is there but who is missing. We find it in Bamidbar 31:49, regarding no one being missing at the end of the battle, and Shmuel I, 20:18. regarding David being missing from King Shaul’s table.
The Ramban explains pakod differently. It is to remember and/or to give attention to some matter. This applies to Hashem being poked Sarah (Bereishit 21:1 - recalling that she needed a child and acting on it) and a pikadon (Vayikra 5:23 - an object that is given over to be guarded).
The term is used three times in the beginning of Parashat Ki Tisa, where the rules of counting Bnei Yisrael are taught (Shemot 30:12). The first time is in proximity to "when you raise the heads …," which is to show the love involved in the count. The second time, the pekida refers to the count itself. The third time, it is to show the special Divine Providence to which Bnei Yisrael are entitled in this context.
There is a less pleasant side to Divine Providence. When Hashem is "more discerning," then when we sin, there is also more accountability. This finds expression after the sin of the Golden Calf, as Hashem informed Bnei Yisrael that on the day of pokdi (My accounting), I will be poked on them (i.e., make them pay for) their sin (Shemot 32:34). Rashi (ad loc.) comments that whenever Hashem decides to punish the nation for their sins, there is a portion of it that is for the sin of the Golden Calf. On the one hand, because of Hashem’s love for them, He did not destroy the nation for that sin. On the other hand, He does not forgive that sin, without making them accountable at the proper times and manners. Similarly, pakod is used in the thirteen attributes of Hashem concerning His acting on a person’s sins for three or four generations of offspring (ibid. 34:7).
After Yaakov died and Yosef was about to die in Egypt, he told his brothers that Hashem would certainly be poked them, this time in a recollection that leads to liberation. Not only did pakod refer to liberation but it was also given as a code-word for the liberator to prove his authenticity (Midrash Hagadol to Shemot 3:16). The secret was kept by the elderly Serach daughter of Asher, as it was passed down by the previous generation.
Let us pray for a full redemption to get to the point that Hoshea speaks of in this week’s haftara: Bnei Yisrael should be "as many as the granules of sand by the sea, which cannot be counted" (Hoshea 2:1).
Rabbis in Midrash
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
