Question: Why did G-d punish David for taking a census? (2 Samuel 24)
Answer: In Exodus 30:12 the Torah commands us not to count Jews without using a device (such as money or sheep). If we isolate each Jew by counting them separately, we lose our merit as part of the Jewish collective. Once that happens, each of us is scrutinized as individuals and our flaws are exposed.
All the Best,
Rabbi Meir Goldberg