Bamidbar
Book 4: Numbers


BAMIDBAR - RASHI COMMENTARY


Chapter 01 - Rashi

Verse 1: In the Sinai desert... on the first [day] of the [second] month, etc.

Because they (the Israelites) are precious before Him (Hashem), He counts them all the time;1 when they went out of Egypt He counted them [Shemos, 12:37], and when they fell because of [the sin of] the golden calf2 He counted them to know the number of those who remained,3 when He came to cause His Presence to rest upon them He counted them. On the first day of Nisan the Mishkon was set up, and on the first day of Iyar4 He counted them.

Verse 2: According to their families.

To know the number of each tribe5

To the house of their fathers:

Someone whose father is from one tribe and his mother from another tribe shall be maintained in his father's tribe.

Individually

Through the shekolim6 a half-shekel per head.

Verse 3: All those eligible for the army.

This teaches us that no one is eligible for the army below the age of twenty.

Verse 4: Along with you, there shall be.

When you count them, there shall be with you the leader of each tribe.

Verse 16: These are the ones called from the congregation.

The ones who were invited to everything of importance in the congregation.7

Verse 17: These men.

Those twelve leaders [mentioned above, 5--15].

Who were designated:

To him (Moshe) here by [their] names.

Verse 18: And they were registered by family ancestry.

They brought their genealogical documents and witnesses8 who verified the circumstances of their birth,9 this applied to each individual, to establish their kinship with the tribe.

Verse 49: However, the tribe of Levi you shall not count.

The King's legion10 is worthy of being counted separately.11 Another interpretation; the Holy One, blessed is He, foresaw that a decree would arise against all those who were counted from the age of twenty and above to die in the desert.12 He [therefore] said, "Let these [Levites] not be included, for they are mine, since they did not sin13 with the [golden] calf."14

Verse 50: You shall appoint the Levites.

As Targum [Onkelos] translates, "appoint."15 The word denotes appointment to authority over the subject of one's appointment, as, "and let the king appoint officials." (Esther 2)

Verse 51: [They] shall take it down.

As Targum (Onkelos) translates, "they shall dismantle."16 When they were going to depart17 in the desert from journey to journey18 they would dismantle it (the Mishkon) from its upright position and carry it to the place where the cloud came to rest.19 They camped there and set it up.

And the stranger who approaches:

To [perform] this service20 of theirs.

Shall die:

By the hand of heaven.21

Verse 52: And each man at his own banner.

According to the way that the banners are arranged in this book (i.e., Bamidbar, 2:3--31), three tribes to each banner.

Verse 53: So that there will not be anger.

If you fulfill My commandments there will not be anger, but if not--- if strangers will enter into this service of theirs--- there will be anger, as we find in the episode of Korach,22 "... for the anger had emerged ..." [17:11]


Chapter 02 - Rashi

Verse 2: With the insignia.

Each banner shall have [as] its insignia a colored cloth hanging from it. Each one's color was not like the other's, each color corresponded with the hue of its gem set in the breastplate.23 Thusly, everyone could recognize his banner. Another interpretation [of] "with the insignia of their fathers' houses"; By the sign their forefather Yaakov gave them When they carried him from Egypt [for burial in Canaan], as it is said, "And his sons did to him just as he had commanded them" [Bereishis, 50:12]. 'Yehudah, Yissachar, and Zevulun shall carry him from the east, Reuven, Shimon, and Gad from the south; etc.,' as stated by Tanchuma to this portion.

At a distance:

At the distance24 of a mil (2,000 amos, approximately 4,000 feet.25) as stated in the Book of Joshua [3:4], 'However, there should be a distance between you and it (the sacred ark) of two thousand amos',26 To enable them to come on Shabbos.27 Moshe and Aharon and his sons and the Levites camped near it (the Mishkon).28

Verse 3: In the forefront.

Toward29 the side called {Hebrew Ref} , the front. Which is this?30 The eastern side31  32 whereas the west is called {Hebrew Ref} , the rear,33

Verse 9: They travel first.

When they see34 the cloud rise, the kohanim blow the trumpets and the camp of Yehudah departs first.35 When traveling, they move the way they camped; The Levites and the wagons at the center,36 the banner of Yehudah to the east,37 that of Reuven to the south,38 Ephraim's to the west,39 and Don's to the north.40

Verse 17: The Tent of Meeting shall travel.

After those two banners.41

Just as they camp, so shall they travel:

As I explained,42 they traveled as they camped, each banner proceeding in its designated position.

In his place [literally "his hand"]

In his place. Yet, the literal meaning, "his hand" is not out of context. One's nearby area is called "at hand," [i.e.,] adjacent, within hand's reach. en son aise, at hand, in Old French.

Verse 20: With him [literally "above him"].

As Targum [Onkelos] translates, "the one near him."43


Chapter 03 - Rashi

Verse 1: These are the descendants of Aharon and Moshe.

[Scripture] mentions only the sons of Aharon,44 yet they are called the descendants of Moshe ---because he taught them Torah. This teaches us that one who teaches another's son Torah is considered as having procreated him.45

On the day that Ad-noy spoke to Moshe

They became his descendants,46 since he taught them47 what he had learned from the mouth of the Almighty.

Verse 4: In the presence [literally "the face"] of Aharon.

During his lifetime.48

Verse 6: And they shall serve him.

What is the service? [The next passage explains---] "They shall preserve his guardianship;"49

since he (Aharon) is obligated to guard the Sanctuary so that no stranger may approach,50 as it is said, "... you (Aharon), your sons, and your father's house with you shall bear [responsibility for] the sin of [defiling] the Sanctuary ...,"51 and these Levites aided them, this is the service.

Verse 7: They shall take care to preserve his guardianship.

Any position to which a person is appointed which requires his active management is called a "watch" throughout Scripture, and in the Mishnaic idiom, as stated concerning Bigsan and Seresh,52 "But surely my watch is not similar to yours"?53 Similarly, the "watches" of the kohanim and Levites.

Verse 8: And the watch of Bnei Yisroel.

They were all actually obligated54 to provide the needs of the Sanctuary; the Levites merely served in their place, as surrogates. This is why they (the Levites) accepted the tithes55 from them, in payment, as it is said, "... for it (the tithe) is your payment, in return for your service ..."56

Verse 9: They are presented to him.

For assistance.57

From [among] Bnei Yisroel

This [ {Hebrew Ref} , "from"] is understood as {Hebrew Ref} , "from among"58 Bnei Yisroel, meaning from the rest of the entire congregation they (the Levites) were selected for this by Divine decree and He (G-d) gave them to him (Aharon), as it is said, 59 "I (G-d) have given the Levites, given [them].. ."

Verse 10: Appoint Aharon and his sons.

The word connotes appointment, not counting.60

And they shall guard their priesthood.

Referring to the blood [of the sacrificial offerings], sprinkling [it on the altar], burning [the sacrifices], [and other] services entrusted to the kohanim.61

Verse 12: Behold, I have taken [the Levites].

What is My right to them?62

From among Bnei Yisroel

That the Israelites must hire them to serve Me? Through the [Israelites'] first born, I gained my right to them, having taken them (the Levites) in their place. Because the sacred service was [originally performed] by the firstborn,63 but when they sinned with the golden calf, they were disqualified. The Levites, who did not indulge in idolatry,64 were chosen instead.

Verse 15: From the age of one month and above.

When he (the infant) can no longer be categorized as stillborn,65 he is listed among those entitled "guardian of the sacred watch."66 R' Yehudah B'rabi Shalom said, "This [Levite] tribe is regularly counted from the womb, as it is said, "... [Yocheved, Levi's daughter] ... whom she (Levi's wife) bore to Levi in Egypt .. ." 67 While entering the portals of Egypt, she bore her (Yocheved).68 yet she is counted among the seventy souls [who came down to Egypt].69 for, when one tallies their total, one finds only sixty-nine70 and she completed the total.

Verse 16: According to the word of Ad-noy.

Moshe said before the Holy One, Blessed is He, "How can I enter into their tents71 to determine the number of their nursing infants"? The Holy One, Blessed is He, replied, "Do yours, and I will do Mine"! Moshe proceeded, and stood at the door of the tent, whereupon the Divine Presence preceded him [and entered the tent]. A voice then echoed from the tent, announcing, "There are so many and so many nursing infants in this tent"! This is why it is said, "... according to the word of G-d ..."72

Verse 21: Of Gershon, the family of Livni.

Meaning, of Gershon,73 those who were counted [was] the family of Livni and the family of Shim'i--- their numbers were so many and so many.

Verse 25: The Mishkon.

The lower74 [ceiling] drapes.

And the Tent.

The goats' hair drapes,75 made [to serve] as the76 roof.

Its Cover.

Ram77 and tachash78 skins.

And the curtain for the entrance

This is the drape.79

Verse 26: And its ropes.

Of the Mishkon and the tent,80 but not81 the enclosure.

Verse 29: The families of the children of Kehos shall camp ... on the south.

Near them [was] the banner of Reuven, who camped to the south.82 Woe to the wicked, woe to his neighbor!83 This is why [Reuven's constituents] were punished--- Doson, Avirom, and two hundred and fifty men 84---together with Korach and his assembly, because they (the Reuvenites) were drawn, with them, into the dispute.85  86

Verse 31: And the curtain.

This is the Paroches,87 as it was also called "... the Paroches screen ..."88

Verse 32: The leader of the leaders of Levi.

[He was] appointed over all of them. Over what was his leadership?

The appointment of the guardians89 to safeguard---

They were all appointed by him.

Verse 38: Moshe, Aharon and his sons.

Near them [was] the banner of the camp of Yehudah,90 and those who camped near him, Yissachar and Zevulun.91 Good fortune to the righteous, good fortune to his neighbor!92 Because they were neighbors of Moshe,93 who engaged in Torah [study], they became great Torah scholars, as it is said, "Yehudah my lawgiver"94; "From the sons of Yissachar of sagacious knowledge, etc.95"--- [this refers to] two hundred heads of Sanhedrin;96 "and from Zevulun, came those that handle the scribe's quill."97  98

Verse 39: Whom Moshe and Aharon counted.

There are dots over [the word] {Hebrew Ref} ,99 to teach that he was not included in the counting of the Levites.

Twenty two thousand.

When counting them individually, however, one discovers three hundred extra: the sons of Gershon, seven thousand five hundred; the sons of Kehos, eight thousand six hundred; the sons of Merori, six thousand two hundred [hence, twenty two thousand three hundred]. Why aren't they included among the rest to redeem the firstborn,100 thus exempting the two hundred seventy three overlapping firstborn from redemption? Our sages answered, in Maseches Bechoros,101 that the three hundred Levites were, themselves, firstborn. It was sufficient for them to release themselves from redemption.102

Verse 40: Count every male firstborn ... from the age of one month and above.

When he (the infant) can no longer be categorized as stillborn.103

Verse 45: And the animals of the Levites ...etc.

The animals of the Levites did not redeem the firstlings of the Israelites' clean (i.e., kosher) animals,104 but [they did redeem] the firstlings of their donkeys.105 And a single sheep106 belonging to a Levite released numerous of the Israelites' donkey firstlings. The proof is that Scripture counts the extra men,107 but not the extra animals.

Verse 46: And the redemption of the [two hundred and seventy-]three.

The firstborn who require redemption108 among them (the Israelites), these are the two hundred seventy-three extras among them, over and above the Levites. From them, take five shekolim per head. This was the sale price for Yoseif,109 twenty silver [pieces], who was Rochel's110 firstborn.111

Verse 49: [Those whose numbers were] in excess of those who were redeemed through the Levites.

Those redeemed by the very presence of the Levites.112

Verse 50: One thousand three hundred sixty five.

This is the sum total, [at] five shekolim per head. For two hundred firstborn: one thousand shekolim. For seventy firstborn---three hundred and fifty shekolim. For three firstborn---fifteen shekolim. He (Moshe) said, "How shall I do this? Any firstborn whom I tell to pay five shekolim will say, 'I am from those redeemed by the Levites'  "! What did he do? he brought twenty-two thousand slips and wrote "Levite" on them, and two hundred and seventy three slips and wrote "five shekolim" on them. He mixed them together, and placed them in a container. [Then] he told them,113 "Come, choose your slips by lot."


Chapter 04 - Rashi

Verse 2: Take the count ... etc.

Count those among them114 suited for the service of carrying,115 the ones from thirty to fifty years of age. Someone younger than thirty, has not reached prime strength. From here they (the Rabbis) derive "[the age of] thirty for strength"116 and after fifty, one's strength diminishes.

Verse 4: The Holy of Holies.

The Holiest of all117; the Ark, the Table, the Menorah, the Altars, the Paroches, and the service vessels.118

Verse 5: Aharon and his sons shall enter ... etc.

They shall place each vessel into the sheath specified for it in this chapter,119 so that the Levite sons of Kehos need do nothing but carry [them].

When the camp is about to travel.

When the cloud rises,120 they know that they are to depart.121

Verse 7: Molds, spoons, rods, covering props.

I have explained this in [the chapter dealing with] the work of the Mishkon.122

Covering.

Covering, from the word {Hebrew Ref} , cover,123 as it is written, "... by which they (the breads) shall be covered."124

Verse 9: Its tongs.

A type of pliers with which they pull the wick in any desired direction.

Its scoops.

A type of small spoon with a flat, uncurved bottom, unwalled at the front---only at the sides, with which he rakes the ashes from the lamps when cleaning them.

It lamps.

Loces, lamps, in Old French, in which the oil and wicks are placed.125

Verse 10: Into the covering of the tachash---hide.

A type of sack.126

Verse 12: All the service utensils with which they serve in the Sanctuary.

Inside the Mishkon,127 which is Holy.128 These are the incense vessels,129 with which they serve on the inner altar.130

Verse 13: They shall remove the ashes from the Altar.

The copper131 altar.132

They shall remove the ashes.

They shall take the ashes away from it.133

And spread upon it a cloth of purple [wool].

The fire which descended from heaven134 lay below the cloth like a lion135 when they traveled.136 It didn't burn it (the cloth), because they arched a copper vessel over it.137

Verse 14: Firepans.

With these they raked the coals for the lifting of the ashes.138 This was made like a pan with only three sides, and the front was used to draw the coals.

Forks.

Copper hooks with which they prodded the limbs on the altar, turning them so that they would be completely consumed quickly.

Scoops.

These were scrapers, In Old French, Wadil, scoops. They were made of copper, and used to sweep the ashes from the Altar.

Verse 15: Covering of the Sanctuary.

The Ark and the Altar.

And all of the holy utensils.

The Menorah and the service vessels.

And they will [not] die.

Since, if they touch, they will be subject to death by Heavenly decree.139

Verse 16: Encharged to Elazar.

He was assigned to carry them; oil, incense, and anointing oil.

The continual [daily] meal-offering.140

His responsibility was to issue orders, to urge [the others], and to offer it [on the altar] when they camped.

The charge of the entire Mishkon.

In addition,141 he was assigned to [oversee] the load of the sons of Kehos --to issue orders142 for everyone's work and load. This is [what is meant by]

"... the Mishkon and all of its contents ...,"

everything listed above in this chapter.143 But the load of the sons of Gershon and Merori,144 which did not consist of the holy of holies,145 was by order of Isamar, as is written in the portion of {Hebrew Ref} .146

Verse 18: Do not cut off.

Do not cause them to die.147

Verse 20: They shall not come in to see when the holy is being covered.

[When placed] into its sheath, as specified above in this chapter, they shall spread over it a certain cloth, they shall cover it with a certain cover.148 Its " {Hebrew Ref} " refers to the covering of it.


Return to Main Search Form
Sources