God instructs Moses to conduct a census of the twelve tribes of Israel, and 603,550 men of military draft age, or 20-to-60-years-old, are counted. The tribe of Levi is counted separately, numbering 22,300 males and appointed to serve in the Sanctuary, replacing the firstborns who had lost this privilege with the Sin of the Golden Calf. The Parsha delivers a detailed description of the division of labor among the three Levite clans, as well as a breakdown of each tribe, informing us that each had its own leader and its own flag.
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"Take a census of the entire community of the Israelites by families, by their paternal houses, by the number of their names, a head count of every male."
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Numbers 1:2The Kehot Chumash
2
שְׂאוּ אֶת־רֹאשׁ כׇּל־עֲדַת בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם בְּמִסְפַּר שֵׁמוֹת כׇּל־זָכָר לְגֻלְגְּלֹתָם׃
“Take a census of all the adult males of the community of the Israelites by families and then add up the family totals to arrive at the total for each tribe. The people’s tribal lineage will follow their paternal houses. Do not count them directly, but indirectly: take a half-shekel from each in accordance with the number of their names, one for each. Thus you will have an exact head count of every male.
3
מִבֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה כׇּל־יֹצֵא צָבָא בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל תִּפְקְדוּ אֹתָם לְצִבְאֹתָם אַתָּה וְאַהֲרֹן׃
You and Aaron must count all those males in Israel 20 years old and over up to age 60 – for only males between 20 and 60 are fit to serve in the army – by their tribal troops.
4
וְאִתְּכֶם יִהְיוּ אִישׁ אִישׁ לַמַּטֶּה אִישׁ רֹאשׁ לְבֵית־אֲבֹתָיו הוּא׃
Throughout the census there must be one man with you from each tribe: i.e., the prince of that tribe, the one who is the head of his paternal house. All 12 princes must assist you in counting each tribe.
5
וְאֵלֶּה שְׁמוֹת הָאֲנָשִׁים אֲשֶׁר יַעַמְדוּ אִתְּכֶם לִרְאוּבֵן אֱלִיצוּר בֶּן־שְׁדֵיאוּר׃
The Princes
These are the names of the men who must stand with you: for Reuben, Elitzur son of Shedei’ur;
6
לְשִׁמְעוֹן שְׁלֻמִיאֵל בֶּן־צוּרִישַׁדָּי׃
for Simeon, Shelumi’eil son of Tzurishadai;
7
לִיהוּדָה נַחְשׁוֹן בֶּן־עַמִּינָדָב׃
for Judah, Nachshon son of Aminadav;
8
לְיִשָּׂשכָר נְתַנְאֵל בֶּן־צוּעָר׃
for Issachar, Netan’eil son of Tzu’ar;
9
לִזְבוּלֻן אֱלִיאָב בֶּן־חֵלֹן׃
for Zebulun, Eli’av son of Cheilon;
10
לִבְנֵי יוֹסֵף לְאֶפְרַיִם אֱלִישָׁמָע בֶּן־עַמִּיהוּד לִמְנַשֶּׁה גַּמְלִיאֵל בֶּן־פְּדָהצוּר׃
for the descendants of Joseph: for Ephraim, Elishama son of Amihud; for Manasseh, Gamli’eil son of Pedahtzur;
11
לְבִנְיָמִן אֲבִידָן בֶּן־גִּדְעֹנִי׃
for Benjamin, Avidan son of Gid’oni;
12
לְדָן אֲחִיעֶזֶר בֶּן־עַמִּישַׁדָּי׃
for Dan, Achi’ezer son of Amishadai;
13
לְאָשֵׁר פַּגְעִיאֵל בֶּן־עׇכְרָן׃
for Asher, Pag’i’eil son of Ochran;
14
לְגָד אֶלְיָסָף בֶּן־דְּעוּאֵל׃
for Gad, Elyasaf son of De’u’eil;
15
לְנַפְתָּלִי אֲחִירַע בֶּן־עֵינָן׃
for Naphtali, Achira son of Einan.”
17
וַיִּקַּח מֹשֶׁה וְאַהֲרֹן אֵת הָאֲנָשִׁים הָאֵלֶּה אֲשֶׁר נִקְּבוּ בְּשֵׁמֹת׃
So Moses and Aaron took these men, who had been designated by God by their names, and installed them in their new capacity and office.
18
וְאֵת כׇּל־הָעֵדָה הִקְהִילוּ בְּאֶחָד לַחֹדֶשׁ הַשֵּׁנִי וַיִּתְיַלְדוּ עַל־מִשְׁפְּחֹתָם לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם בְּמִסְפַּר שֵׁמוֹת מִבֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה לְגֻלְגְּלֹתָם׃
Moses and Aaron assembled the entire community of adult male Israelites on the same day, the first day of the second month, and they all registered their lineage according to their families and according to their fathers’ houses by producing their family records and bringing witnesses regarding the social acceptance of their family ties. They then counted them by the number of their names, i.e., first making sure each gave one half-shekel and then counting these half-shekels. Thus they had a head count of every male 20 years old and over.
19
כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהֹוָה אֶת־מֹשֶׁה וַיִּפְקְדֵם בְּמִדְבַּר סִינָי׃ {ס}
As GOD commanded Moses, so did he count them in the Sinai desert. They found that miraculously, the tally of each tribe was divisible by 50, as follows:
20
וַיִּהְיוּ בְנֵי־רְאוּבֵן בְּכֹר יִשְׂרָאֵל תּוֹלְדֹתָם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם בְּמִסְפַּר שֵׁמוֹת לְגֻלְגְּלֹתָם כׇּל־זָכָר מִבֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה כֹּל יֹצֵא צָבָא׃
Reuben
This was the tally of the tribe of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel – their descendants who were counted according to their families, according to their fathers’ houses, by the number of individual names, and according to the head count of every male 20 years old and over, all who were fit to serve in the army:
21
פְּקֻדֵיהֶם לְמַטֵּה רְאוּבֵן שִׁשָּׁה וְאַרְבָּעִים אֶלֶף וַחֲמֵשׁ מֵאוֹת׃ {פ}
the tally of the tribe of Reuben was 46,500.
22
לִבְנֵי שִׁמְעוֹן תּוֹלְדֹתָם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם פְּקֻדָיו בְּמִסְפַּר שֵׁמוֹת לְגֻלְגְּלֹתָם כׇּל־זָכָר מִבֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה כֹּל יֹצֵא צָבָא׃
Simeon
This was the tally of the tribe of Simeon – their descendants who were counted according to their families, according to their fathers’ houses, by the number of individual names, and according to the head count of every male 20 years old and over, all who were fit to serve in the army:
23
פְּקֻדֵיהֶם לְמַטֵּה שִׁמְעוֹן תִּשְׁעָה וַחֲמִשִּׁים אֶלֶף וּשְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת׃ {פ}
the tally of the tribe of Simeon was 59,300.
24
לִבְנֵי גָד תּוֹלְדֹתָם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם בְּמִסְפַּר שֵׁמוֹת מִבֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה כֹּל יֹצֵא צָבָא׃
Gad
This was the tally of the tribe of Gad – their descendants who were counted according to their families, according to their fathers’ houses, and by the number of individual names, 20 years old and over, all who were fit to serve in the army:
25
פְּקֻדֵיהֶם לְמַטֵּה גָד חֲמִשָּׁה וְאַרְבָּעִים אֶלֶף וְשֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת וַחֲמִשִּׁים׃ {פ}
the tally of the tribe of Gad was 45,650.
26
לִבְנֵי יְהוּדָה תּוֹלְדֹתָם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם בְּמִסְפַּר שֵׁמֹת מִבֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה כֹּל יֹצֵא צָבָא׃
Judah
This was the tally of the tribe of Judah – their descendants who were counted according to their families, according to their fathers’ houses, and by the number of individual names, 20 years old and over, all who were fit to serve in the army:
27
פְּקֻדֵיהֶם לְמַטֵּה יְהוּדָה אַרְבָּעָה וְשִׁבְעִים אֶלֶף וְשֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת׃ {פ}
the tally of the tribe of Judah was 74,600.
28
לִבְנֵי יִשָּׂשכָר תּוֹלְדֹתָם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם בְּמִסְפַּר שֵׁמֹת מִבֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה כֹּל יֹצֵא צָבָא׃
Issachar
This was the tally of the tribe of Issachar – their descendants who were counted according to their families, according to their fathers’ houses, and by the number of individual names, 20 years old and over, all who were fit to serve in the army:
30
לִבְנֵי זְבוּלֻן תּוֹלְדֹתָם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם בְּמִסְפַּר שֵׁמֹת מִבֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה כֹּל יֹצֵא צָבָא׃
Zebulun
This was the tally of the tribe of Zebulun – their descendants who were counted according to their families, according to their fathers’ houses, and by the number of individual names, 20 years old and over, all who were fit to serve in the army:
31
פְּקֻדֵיהֶם לְמַטֵּה זְבוּלֻן שִׁבְעָה וַחֲמִשִּׁים אֶלֶף וְאַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת׃ {פ}
the tally of the tribe of Zebulun was 57,400.
33
פְּקֻדֵיהֶם לְמַטֵּה אֶפְרָיִם אַרְבָּעִים אֶלֶף וַחֲמֵשׁ מֵאוֹת׃ {פ}
the tally of the tribe of Ephraim was 40,500.
34
לִבְנֵי מְנַשֶּׁה תּוֹלְדֹתָם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם בְּמִסְפַּר שֵׁמוֹת מִבֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה כֹּל יֹצֵא צָבָא׃
Manasseh
This was the tally of the tribe of Manasseh – their descendants who were counted according to their families, according to their fathers’ houses, and by the number of individual names, 20 years old and over, all who were fit to serve in the army:
35
פְּקֻדֵיהֶם לְמַטֵּה מְנַשֶּׁה שְׁנַיִם וּשְׁלֹשִׁים אֶלֶף וּמָאתָיִם׃ {פ}
the tally of the tribe of Manasseh was 32,200.
36
לִבְנֵי בִנְיָמִן תּוֹלְדֹתָם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם בְּמִסְפַּר שֵׁמֹת מִבֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה כֹּל יֹצֵא צָבָא׃
Benjamin
This was the tally of the tribe of Benjamin – their descendants who were counted according to their families, according to their fathers’ houses, and by the number of individual names, 20 years old and over, all who were fit to serve in the army:
37
פְּקֻדֵיהֶם לְמַטֵּה בִנְיָמִן חֲמִשָּׁה וּשְׁלֹשִׁים אֶלֶף וְאַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת׃ {פ}
the tally of the tribe of Benjamin was 35,400.
38
לִבְנֵי דָן תּוֹלְדֹתָם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם בְּמִסְפַּר שֵׁמֹת מִבֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה כֹּל יֹצֵא צָבָא׃
Dan
This was the tally of the tribe of Dan – their descendants who were counted according to their families, according to their fathers’ houses, and by the number of individual names, 20 years old and over, all who were fit to serve in the army:
39
פְּקֻדֵיהֶם לְמַטֵּה דָן שְׁנַיִם וְשִׁשִּׁים אֶלֶף וּשְׁבַע מֵאוֹת׃ {פ}
the tally of the tribe of Dan was 62,700.
41
פְּקֻדֵיהֶם לְמַטֵּה אָשֵׁר אֶחָד וְאַרְבָּעִים אֶלֶף וַחֲמֵשׁ מֵאוֹת׃ {פ}
the tally of the tribe of Asher was 41,500.
42
בְּנֵי נַפְתָּלִי תּוֹלְדֹתָם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם בְּמִסְפַּר שֵׁמֹת מִבֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה כֹּל יֹצֵא צָבָא׃
Naphtali
This was the tally of the tribe of Naphtali – their descendants who were counted according to their families, according to their fathers’ houses, and by the number of individual names, 20 years old and over, all who were fit to serve in the army:
43
פְּקֻדֵיהֶם לְמַטֵּה נַפְתָּלִי שְׁלֹשָׁה וַחֲמִשִּׁים אֶלֶף וְאַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת׃ {פ}
the tally of the tribe of Naphtali was 53,400.
44
אֵלֶּה הַפְּקֻדִים אֲשֶׁר פָּקַד מֹשֶׁה וְאַהֲרֹן וּנְשִׂיאֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר אִישׁ אִישׁ־אֶחָד לְבֵית־אֲבֹתָיו הָיוּ׃
The Totals
These are the tallies counted by Moses and Aaron and the princes of Israel – 12 men, each representing his fathers’ house.
45
וַיִּהְיוּ כׇּל־פְּקוּדֵי בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם מִבֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה כׇּל־יֹצֵא צָבָא בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל׃
These are the tallies of all the Israelites according to their fathers’ houses, 20 years old and over, all those in Israel who were fit to serve in the army:
46
וַיִּהְיוּ כׇּל־הַפְּקֻדִים שֵׁשׁ־מֵאוֹת אֶלֶף וּשְׁלֹשֶׁת אֲלָפִים וַחֲמֵשׁ מֵאוֹת וַחֲמִשִּׁים׃
the sum of all the tallies was 603,550.
47
וְהַלְוִיִּם לְמַטֵּה אֲבֹתָם לֹא הׇתְפָּקְדוּ בְּתוֹכָם׃ {פ}
The Levites
But the Levites, according to their fathers’ tribe, were not numbered among them, despite the fact that the reason for this census was (a) to express the people’s integral relationship with the Tabernacle, and the Levites were the Tabernacle’s officiants, and (b) to express how God values each Jew individually, and the Levites had proven themselves to be the tribe most loyal to God in the incident of the Golden Calf!
48
וַיְדַבֵּר יְהֹוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה לֵּאמֹר׃
So GOD spoke to Moses, explaining why the Levites were not included, by saying:
49
אַךְ אֶת־מַטֵּה לֵוִי לֹא תִפְקֹד וְאֶת־רֹאשָׁם לֹא תִשָּׂא בְּתוֹךְ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל׃
“The Levites are indeed part of the people; however, they are My private legion. Therefore, you must not tally the tribe of Levi the same way you counted the other Israelites, and you must not add the results of their census to that of the other Israelites, for they deserve their own census. Moreover, you must not tally the tribe of Levi at all; I will count them for you Myself, for reasons that will become clear later. And even once you know how many there are of them, you must not add the results of their census to that of the other Israelites.”
50
וְאַתָּה הַפְקֵד אֶת־הַלְוִיִּם עַל־מִשְׁכַּן הָעֵדֻת וְעַל כׇּל־כֵּלָיו וְעַל כׇּל־אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ הֵמָּה יִשְׂאוּ אֶת־הַמִּשְׁכָּן וְאֶת־כׇּל־כֵּלָיו וְהֵם יְשָׁרְתֻהוּ וְסָבִיב לַמִּשְׁכָּן יַחֲנוּ׃
Explaining how the Levites are His private legion, God continued, “Rather than having them serve in the army like the rest of the people, you must put the Levites in charge of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, over all its furnishings and over all that pertains to it. They must carry the Tabernacle and all its furnishings when you travel, they must serve in it, and they must encamp around the Tabernacle.
51
וּבִנְסֹעַ הַמִּשְׁכָּן יוֹרִידוּ אֹתוֹ הַלְוִיִּם וּבַחֲנֹת הַמִּשְׁכָּן יָקִימוּ אֹתוֹ הַלְוִיִּם וְהַזָּר הַקָּרֵב יוּמָת׃
Whenever the Tabernacle is set to travel, the Levites must dismantle it, and whenever the Tabernacle camps, the Levites must erect it; any outsider (i.e., non-Levite) who approaches and tries to do this will be put to death by an act of God.
52
וְחָנוּ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אִישׁ עַל־מַחֲנֵהוּ וְאִישׁ עַל־דִּגְלוֹ לְצִבְאֹתָם׃
Because of this danger, the Israelites must camp in a specific formation – according to their tribal troops, each man by his tribe’s division, three tribes per division, and each man by his division’s banner, as will be detailed presently –
53
וְהַלְוִיִּם יַחֲנוּ סָבִיב לְמִשְׁכַּן הָעֵדֻת וְלֹא־יִהְיֶה קֶצֶף עַל־עֲדַת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְשָׁמְרוּ הַלְוִיִּם אֶת־מִשְׁמֶרֶת מִשְׁכַּן הָעֵדוּת׃
but the Levites must encamp around the Tabernacle of the Testimony, separating it from the other tribes, so that none of them will approach the Tabernacle intending to erect, dismantle, carry, guard, or serve in it. If the Levites preserve this separation carefully, no Divine wrath will be directed against the community of the Israelites – Divine anger, if the Levites and the laity fail to dwell in separate camps; or Divine corrective punishment, if a lay Israelite attempts to perform a Levite function. The Levites must guard the Tabernacle of the Testimony for this purpose.”
54
וַיַּעֲשׂוּ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל כְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהֹוָה אֶת־מֹשֶׁה כֵּן עָשׂוּ׃ {פ}
The Israelites did this; they did exactly according to all that GOD had commanded Moses. Thus, the people encamped in three concentric camps: the Tabernacle and its Courtyard was the innermost camp, known as “the camp of the Divine presence”; surrounding this was the middle camp, that of the Levites; and surrounding both was the outermost camp, that of the lay Israelites.
1
וַיְדַבֵּר יְהֹוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה וְאֶל־אַהֲרֹן לֵאמֹר׃
The Camp
God then gave the details regarding how the camp was to be organized and how this organized camp was to travel. GOD spoke to Moses, instructing him to convey His words to Aaron, saying:
2
אִישׁ עַל־דִּגְלוֹ בְאֹתֹת לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם יַחֲנוּ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מִנֶּגֶד סָבִיב לְאֹהֶל־מוֹעֵד יַחֲנוּ׃
“The Israelites must camp each man by his division’s banner, each of which will be a unique color, and by the insignias on the banners of their fathers’ houses, i.e., their tribes, each of whose banners will be the color of the tribe’s stone in the high priest’s breastplate. Their order around the Tabernacle will be the same as the order in which Jacob told his sons to carry his coffin. They must encamp around the Tent of Meeting at the maximum distance practical, in order to minimize the possibility that any layperson enter the Tabernacle precincts. This maximum practical distance is 2,000 cubits from the outer extremity of the Tabernacle’s precincts, because it is prohibited to walk more than this distance from one inhabited area to another on the Sabbath.
3
וְהַחֹנִים קֵדְמָה מִזְרָחָה דֶּגֶל מַחֲנֵה יְהוּדָה לְצִבְאֹתָם וְנָשִׂיא לִבְנֵי יְהוּדָה נַחְשׁוֹן בֶּן־עַמִּינָדָב׃
The Division of Judah
Those camping in front, to the east, will be under the banner of the division of Judah, organized according to their troops. The prince of the tribe of Judah is Nachshon son of Aminadav;
4
וּצְבָאוֹ וּפְקֻדֵיהֶם אַרְבָּעָה וְשִׁבְעִים אֶלֶף וְשֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת׃
the tally for his troop is 74,600.
5
וְהַחֹנִים עָלָיו מַטֵּה יִשָּׂשכָר וְנָשִׂיא לִבְנֵי יִשָּׂשכָר נְתַנְאֵל בֶּן־צוּעָר׃
Camping next to the tribe of Judah will be the tribe of Issachar. The prince of the tribe of Issachar is Netan’eil son of Tzu’ar;
6
וּצְבָאוֹ וּפְקֻדָיו אַרְבָּעָה וַחֲמִשִּׁים אֶלֶף וְאַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת׃
the tally for his troop is 54,400.
7
מַטֵּה זְבוּלֻן וְנָשִׂיא לִבְנֵי זְבוּלֻן אֱלִיאָב בֶּן־חֵלֹן׃
Next to the tribe of Issachar will be the tribe of Zebulun. The prince of the tribe of Zebulun is Eli’av son of Cheilon;
10
דֶּגֶל מַחֲנֵה רְאוּבֵן תֵּימָנָה לְצִבְאֹתָם וְנָשִׂיא לִבְנֵי רְאוּבֵן אֱלִיצוּר בֶּן־שְׁדֵיאוּר׃
The Division of Reuben
Those camping under the banner of the division of Reuben will be to the south, organized according to their troops. The prince of the tribe of Reuben is Elitzur son of Shedei’ur;
11
וּצְבָאוֹ וּפְקֻדָיו שִׁשָּׁה וְאַרְבָּעִים אֶלֶף וַחֲמֵשׁ מֵאוֹת׃
the tally for his troop is 46,500.
12
וְהַחוֹנִם עָלָיו מַטֵּה שִׁמְעוֹן וְנָשִׂיא לִבְנֵי שִׁמְעוֹן שְׁלֻמִיאֵל בֶּן־צוּרִישַׁדָּי׃
Camping next to the tribe of Reuben will be the tribe of Simeon. The prince of the tribe of Simeon is Shelumi’eil son of Tzurishadai;
13
וּצְבָאוֹ וּפְקֻדֵיהֶם תִּשְׁעָה וַחֲמִשִּׁים אֶלֶף וּשְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת׃
the tally for his troop is 59,300.
14
וּמַטֵּה גָּד וְנָשִׂיא לִבְנֵי גָד אֶלְיָסָף בֶּן־רְעוּאֵל׃
Next to the tribe of Simeon will be the tribe of Gad. The prince of the tribe of Gad is Elyasaf son of Re’u’el, who was mentioned previously as De’u’eil;
15
וּצְבָאוֹ וּפְקֻדֵיהֶם חֲמִשָּׁה וְאַרְבָּעִים אֶלֶף וְשֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת וַחֲמִשִּׁים׃
the tally for his troop is 45,650.
17
וְנָסַע אֹהֶל־מוֹעֵד מַחֲנֵה הַלְוִיִּם בְּתוֹךְ הַמַּחֲנֹת כַּאֲשֶׁר יַחֲנוּ כֵּן יִסָּעוּ אִישׁ עַל־יָדוֹ לְדִגְלֵיהֶם׃ {ס}
Then the Tent of Meeting must set out, together with the Levite camp, in the center of the other camps. Just as they camp, so must they travel, each man in his place, by their banners.
18
דֶּגֶל מַחֲנֵה אֶפְרַיִם לְצִבְאֹתָם יָמָּה וְנָשִׂיא לִבְנֵי אֶפְרַיִם אֱלִישָׁמָע בֶּן־עַמִּיהוּד׃
The Division of Ephraim
Those camping under the banner of the division of Ephraim will be to the west, organized according to their troops. The prince of the tribe of Ephraim is Elishama son of Amihud;
19
וּצְבָאוֹ וּפְקֻדֵיהֶם אַרְבָּעִים אֶלֶף וַחֲמֵשׁ מֵאוֹת׃
the tally for his troop is 40,500.
20
וְעָלָיו מַטֵּה מְנַשֶּׁה וְנָשִׂיא לִבְנֵי מְנַשֶּׁה גַּמְלִיאֵל בֶּן־פְּדָהצוּר׃
Next to the tribe of Ephraim will be the tribe of Manasseh. The prince of the tribe of Manasseh is Gamli’eil son of Pedahtzur;
21
וּצְבָאוֹ וּפְקֻדֵיהֶם שְׁנַיִם וּשְׁלֹשִׁים אֶלֶף וּמָאתָיִם׃
the tally for his troop is 32,200.
22
וּמַטֵּה בִּנְיָמִן וְנָשִׂיא לִבְנֵי בִנְיָמִן אֲבִידָן בֶּן־גִּדְעֹנִי׃
Next to the tribe of Manasseh will be the tribe of Benjamin. The prince of the tribe of Benjamin is Avidan son of Gid’oni;
23
וּצְבָאוֹ וּפְקֻדֵיהֶם חֲמִשָּׁה וּשְׁלֹשִׁים אֶלֶף וְאַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת׃
the tally for his troop is 35,400.
24
כׇּל־הַפְּקֻדִים לְמַחֲנֵה אֶפְרַיִם מְאַת אֶלֶף וּשְׁמֹנַת־אֲלָפִים וּמֵאָה לְצִבְאֹתָם וּשְׁלִשִׁים יִסָּעוּ׃ {ס}
The total sum for the division of Ephraim according to their troops is 108,100; they must set out third.
25
דֶּגֶל מַחֲנֵה דָן צָפֹנָה לְצִבְאֹתָם וְנָשִׂיא לִבְנֵי דָן אֲחִיעֶזֶר בֶּן־עַמִּישַׁדָּי׃
Those camping under the banner of the division of Dan will be to the north, organized according to their troops. The prince of the tribe of Dan is Achi’ezer son of Amishadai;
26
וּצְבָאוֹ וּפְקֻדֵיהֶם שְׁנַיִם וְשִׁשִּׁים אֶלֶף וּשְׁבַע מֵאוֹת׃
the tally for his troop is 62,700.
27
וְהַחֹנִים עָלָיו מַטֵּה אָשֵׁר וְנָשִׂיא לִבְנֵי אָשֵׁר פַּגְעִיאֵל בֶּן־עׇכְרָן׃
Camping next to the tribe of Dan will be the tribe of Asher. The prince of the tribe of Asher is Pagi’eil son of Ochran;
28
וּצְבָאוֹ וּפְקֻדֵיהֶם אֶחָד וְאַרְבָּעִים אֶלֶף וַחֲמֵשׁ מֵאוֹת׃
the tally for his troop is 41,500.
29
וּמַטֵּה נַפְתָּלִי וְנָשִׂיא לִבְנֵי נַפְתָּלִי אֲחִירַע בֶּן־עֵינָן׃
Next to the tribe of Asher will be the tribe of Naphtali. The prince of the tribe of Naphtali is Achira son of Einan;
30
וּצְבָאוֹ וּפְקֻדֵיהֶם שְׁלֹשָׁה וַחֲמִשִּׁים אֶלֶף וְאַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת׃
the tally for his troop is 53,400.
33
וְהַלְוִיִּם לֹא הׇתְפָּקְדוּ בְּתוֹךְ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהֹוָה אֶת־מֹשֶׁה׃
The Levites were not counted with the rest of the Israelites, as GOD commanded Moses.
1
וְאֵלֶּה תּוֹלְדֹת אַהֲרֹן וּמֹשֶׁה בְּיוֹם דִּבֶּר יְהֹוָה אֶת־מֹשֶׁה בְּהַר סִינָי׃
The Census of the Levites
The Torah now turns to the census of the tribe of Levi – the priests and the Levites – and their assignments when the people would travel. It first defines the priestly clan. These are the descendants of Aaron, physically, and Moses, figuratively. Aaron’s sons are figuratively considered to be also Moses’ sons because Moses made special efforts to teach them the Torah. In this sense, they became his sons on the day that GOD spoke to Moses and gave the Torah at Mount Sinai.
2
וְאֵלֶּה שְׁמוֹת בְּנֵי־אַהֲרֹן הַבְּכֹר ׀ נָדָב וַאֲבִיהוּא אֶלְעָזָר וְאִיתָמָר׃
These are the names of Aaron’s sons: Nadav, the firstborn; Avihu; Eleazar; and Itamar.
3
אֵלֶּה שְׁמוֹת בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן הַכֹּהֲנִים הַמְּשֻׁחִים אֲשֶׁר־מִלֵּא יָדָם לְכַהֵן׃
These are the names of Aaron’s sons, the anointed priests, whom Moses consecrated to serve as priests.
4
וַיָּמׇת נָדָב וַאֲבִיהוּא לִפְנֵי יְהֹוָה בְּהַקְרִבָם אֵשׁ זָרָה לִפְנֵי יְהֹוָה בְּמִדְבַּר סִינַי וּבָנִים לֹא־הָיוּ לָהֶם וַיְכַהֵן אֶלְעָזָר וְאִיתָמָר עַל־פְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן אֲבִיהֶם׃ {פ}
Nadav and Avihu died before GOD when they brought an unauthorized fire before GOD in the Sinai desert, and they had no children. Eleazar and Itamar, however, served as priests during their father Aaron’s lifetime.
5
וַיְדַבֵּר יְהֹוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה לֵּאמֹר׃
GOD spoke to Moses, saying:
6
הַקְרֵב אֶת־מַטֵּה לֵוִי וְהַעֲמַדְתָּ אֹתוֹ לִפְנֵי אַהֲרֹן הַכֹּהֵן וְשֵׁרְתוּ אֹתוֹ׃
“Bring forth the tribe of Levi and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may serve him, as follows:
7
וְשָׁמְרוּ אֶת־מִשְׁמַרְתּוֹ וְאֶת־מִשְׁמֶרֶת כׇּל־הָעֵדָה לִפְנֵי אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד לַעֲבֹד אֶת־עֲבֹדַת הַמִּשְׁכָּן׃
They must help him keep his charge, that is, the charge given him regarding the entire lay community in front of the Tent of Meeting, which is to perform the service of the Tabernacle by keeping the laity from serving in it.
8
וְשָׁמְרוּ אֶת־כׇּל־כְּלֵי אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד וְאֶת־מִשְׁמֶרֶת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לַעֲבֹד אֶת־עֲבֹדַת הַמִּשְׁכָּן׃
In addition to helping the priests in this way, the Levites must also keep the charge given to them alone, which concerns all the furnishings of the Tent of Meeting, that is, the charge they perform on behalf of the lay Israelites, which is to perform the service of the Tabernacle by transporting it and singing and playing music in it.
9
וְנָתַתָּה אֶת־הַלְוִיִּם לְאַהֲרֹן וּלְבָנָיו נְתוּנִם נְתוּנִם הֵמָּה לוֹ מֵאֵת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל׃
But even though you must give over the Levites to Aaron and his sons – for they are given, yes, given over to him from among the Israelites in order to help him ensure that the laity not enter the Tabernacle –
10
וְאֶת־אַהֲרֹן וְאֶת־בָּנָיו תִּפְקֹד וְשָׁמְרוּ אֶת־כְּהֻנָּתָם וְהַזָּר הַקָּרֵב יוּמָת׃ {פ}
you must direct Aaron and his sons to guard their priesthood from the Levites as well, because any non-priest – even a Levite – who approaches to participate in the priestly duties will be put to death by an act of God.”
13
כִּי לִי כׇּל־בְּכוֹר בְּיוֹם הַכֹּתִי כׇל־בְּכוֹר בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם הִקְדַּשְׁתִּי לִי כׇל־בְּכוֹר בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל מֵאָדָם עַד־בְּהֵמָה לִי יִהְיוּ אֲנִי יְהֹוָה׃ {פ}
For all the firstborn are Mine: on the day I killed every firstborn in Egypt, I sanctified for Myself every firstborn in Israel by sparing them, both man and beast. But since the firstborn participated in the sin of the Golden Calf, they became disqualified to act as priests or as their assistants. In their stead, the tribe of Levi, who did not participate in this sin, will be Mine; I am GOD.”
14
וַיְדַבֵּר יְהֹוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה בְּמִדְבַּר סִינַי לֵאמֹר׃
The Levites and the Firstborn
GOD spoke to Moses in the Sinai desert, saying:
15
פְּקֹד אֶת־בְּנֵי לֵוִי לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם כׇּל־זָכָר מִבֶּן־חֹדֶשׁ וָמַעְלָה תִּפְקְדֵם׃
“The Levites are to take the place of the firstborn on a head-for-head basis. Therefore, you must tally both the Levites and the lay firstborn. First, tally the Levites according to their fathers’ houses, according to their families. When I killed the Egyptians’ firstborn, I killed them all, regardless of their age, so I therefore sanctified all the firstborn of Israel, regardless of their age. Nonetheless, you should count only all males one month old and over, for only from this age is a baby considered viable.”
16
וַיִּפְקֹד אֹתָם מֹשֶׁה עַל־פִּי יְהֹוָה כַּאֲשֶׁר צֻוָּה׃
Moses protested, “How can I enter their private tents and count the nursing babies?” God told him to stand at the entrance of each tent and He would announce how many babies were inside. So Moses tallied them according to GOD’s word as He announced the count of children in each tent, just as he was commanded. Here, too, the tallies were miraculously all divisible by 50.
17
וַיִּהְיוּ־אֵלֶּה בְנֵי־לֵוִי בִּשְׁמֹתָם גֵּרְשׁוֹן וּקְהָת וּמְרָרִי׃
These were the sons of Levi, by name: Gershon, Kehat, and Merari.
21
לְגֵרְשׁוֹן מִשְׁפַּחַת הַלִּבְנִי וּמִשְׁפַּחַת הַשִּׁמְעִי אֵלֶּה הֵם מִשְׁפְּחֹת הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּי׃
The Clan of Gershon
For Gershon, Moses tallied the family of Livni and the family of Shim’i, these being the families of Gershon.
22
פְּקֻדֵיהֶם בְּמִסְפַּר כׇּל־זָכָר מִבֶּן־חֹדֶשׁ וָמָעְלָה פְּקֻדֵיהֶם שִׁבְעַת אֲלָפִים וַחֲמֵשׁ מֵאוֹת׃
Their tally was the number of males one month old and over, whose tally was 7,500.
23
מִשְׁפְּחֹת הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּי אַחֲרֵי הַמִּשְׁכָּן יַחֲנוּ יָמָּה׃
God told Moses that the families of Gershon must camp behind the Tabernacle, to the west;
24
וּנְשִׂיא בֵית־אָב לַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּי אֶלְיָסָף בֶּן־לָאֵל׃
that the prince of the paternal house of the families of Gershon would be Elyasaf son of La’eil;
26
וְקַלְעֵי הֶחָצֵר וְאֶת־מָסַךְ פֶּתַח הֶחָצֵר אֲשֶׁר עַל־הַמִּשְׁכָּן וְעַל־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ סָבִיב וְאֵת מֵיתָרָיו לְכֹל עֲבֹדָתוֹ׃ {ס}
the nettings of the Courtyard; the Screen at the entrance to the Courtyard that enclosed the Tabernacle and the Altar; the ropes used to fasten the two lower covers draped over the Tabernacle (the bottom, tapestry cover and the middle, goat-skin cover) to the ground; the ropes used to fasten the nettings of the Courtyard to the ground; and all the work involved in dismantling, carrying, and erecting these items.
37
וְעַמֻּדֵי הֶחָצֵר סָבִיב וְאַדְנֵיהֶם וִיתֵדֹתָם וּמֵיתְרֵיהֶם׃
the pillars of the surrounding Courtyard; their sockets; and their stakes and ropes used to hang the nettings of the Courtyard from its pillars.
9
וְלָקְחוּ ׀ בֶּגֶד תְּכֵלֶת וְכִסּוּ אֶת־מְנֹרַת הַמָּאוֹר וְאֶת־נֵרֹתֶיהָ וְאֶת־מַלְקָחֶיהָ וְאֶת־מַחְתֹּתֶיהָ וְאֵת כׇּל־כְּלֵי שַׁמְנָהּ אֲשֶׁר יְשָׁרְתוּ־לָהּ בָּהֶם׃
The Candelabrum
They must take a fitted, turquoise-wool cloth bag and cover the Candelabrum of illumination, its lamps, its tongs, its ash pans, and all its oil vessels they use in performing its service.
16
וּפְקֻדַּת אֶלְעָזָר ׀ בֶּן־אַהֲרֹן הַכֹּהֵן שֶׁמֶן הַמָּאוֹר וּקְטֹרֶת הַסַּמִּים וּמִנְחַת הַתָּמִיד וְשֶׁמֶן הַמִּשְׁחָה פְּקֻדַּת כׇּל־הַמִּשְׁכָּן וְכׇל־אֲשֶׁר־בּוֹ בְּקֹדֶשׁ וּבְכֵלָיו׃ {פ}
Eleazar
The charge of Eleazar son of Aaron the priest is as follows: he must carry the oil for lighting and the spice incense; he must ensure the daily grain-offering is offered up when they make camp; and he must carry the anointing oil. In addition, he has the charge of supervising the work of the clan of Kehat, assigning each one of them what they should carry from the entire Tabernacle and all that is in it, that is, from the holy things and from all the Tabernacle’s furnishings.”
This week, we begin the Torah’s fourth book, the Book of Numbers. But its Hebrew name is different: Sefer Bamidbar, or the Book of Being in the Desert. Why the discrepancy?
The great Nachmanides asked a similar question, and delivered a beautiful explanation. The desert, he explained, is a holy, mystical place, which is why spiritual seekers, from the prophets of old to today’s Burning Man enthusiasts, have found themselves heading to the wilderness in search of revelations. But the Israelites’ job—and ours—isn’t merely to stay in the sacred no-man’s-land; their job—and ours—is to make it to the Promised Land, win it over, and establish a just society based on the Torah’s laws.
And that takes… work. Which is why God commands a major census, instructing the tribes to take stock of their military-aged men and organize for action. It’s a reminder that creation is always a partnership, and that while God always does His share, we should get serious, responsible, and organized about doing ours.
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Media of the week
How Can We Transmit God's Values? Are Kohanim and Levites More Important Than the Rest of the Nation? - AlephBeta.org
Listen to“Sivan Says: Taking the Torah Personally”
Each week, Israeli journalist and Torah scholar Sivan Rahav-Meir and Tablet’s Liel Leibovitz discuss the week’s parsha, giving practical advice from our holiest book.
How Can We Transmit God's Values? Are Kohanim and Levites More Important Than the Rest of the Nation? - AlephBeta.org