Halakhah do Liczb 31:49

Parenthetically, it is significant that in these comments Ramban speaks of a prohibition devolving upon the census-taker. Joab is described as being troubled because he would incur transgression by virtue of taking a census. Although Ramban is silent with regard to a transgression on the part of those who are counted, it is clear that the danger of epidemic (or, according to Hizkuni, Numbers 31:49, the danger of being killed in battle) clearly devolves upon those who are counted. However, Sefer Hasidim (Frankfurt am Main, 1924), no. 1411, adopts a contrary position. According to Sefer Hasidim, the prohibition devolves only upon those who are counted, but not upon the census-taker. It may also be noted that Yalkut Shim'oni, II Samuel 24, records that God's anger was aroused against Israel at the time of Joab's census because the populace did not resist Joab in his endeavor.

The basic notion advanced by Levush and Mizraḥi, viz., that the giving of a "ransom" need not be simultaneous with the taking of the census, is found in the comments of an early authority. Rashbam, Numbers 31:49, speaks of an offering subsequent to the taking of the census as serving as a form of "ransom."