Bamidbar – Page 13 – Peninim on the Torah

“And they gathered the entire nation on the first of the second month… according to the number of names.” (1:18)

Moshe is enjoined to take a census of Bnei Yisrael by counting the “number of names.” Ramban explains that the concept of counting the “number of names” is specifically emphasized in order to preserve the honor and dignity of each individual Jew. It would have been easier for each head of household to provide the number of children in his family. This would have denied the individual, however, his opportunity to pass before Moshe to receive his due honor. The census has a practical purpose, to count a nation’s population. The most efficient method is to gather together the data…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Bamidbar

“Count the children of Levi… every male from the age of one month and above.” (3:15)

The Leviim were an exception to the rule that men below the age of twenty were not counted in the census. Hashem instructed Moshe to count the male members of the tribe of Levi from the age of one month, since prior to thirty days old an infant’s viability is uncertain. The distinction between the tribe of Levi and the other tribes is notable. Why were the infants of the Leviim counted, despite their inability to perform any type of service? The commentators offer various reasons. We suggest that the Leviim serve as the paradigm of the individual who devotes…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Bamidbar

“All that were numbered of the Leviim, whom Moshe and Aharon numbered… All the males from a month old and upward, were twenty two thousand.” (3:39)

Ramban takes note of the fact that the members of the tribe of Levi were fewer than the other tribes in number. Although they had been counted from the age of a month old and above (unlike the other tribes who were counted only from the age of twenty years and over), they still numbered only twenty two thousand. It is astonishing that Hashem’s servants and pious devotees should not be blessed to the extreme that the rest of the people were. Ramban suggests that this is a confirmation of Chazal’s statement in Midrash Tanchuma that the tribe of Levi…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Bamidbar

“And the charge of Elazer the son of Aharon the Kohen, shall be the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, and the Tamid meal offering, and the anointing oil, the charge of all the Mishkan. And of all that is therein over the Mishkan and over its vessels.” (4:16)

The Midrash notes that while Elazar was appointed overseer of Bnei Kehas, he personally transported the heavy articles mentioned in the above pasuk. There is a difference of opinion among the commentators whether Elazer was very strong or whether this was a miraculous feat. The Midrash also emphasizes Elazar’s self-effacing attitude. Despite his inherent right as Aharon’s son to delegate the transport of these articles to others, Elazer took upon himself to perform this relatively menial service personally. This Midrash teaches a valuable lesson, especially for those who are involved in leadership roles. One who has responsibility should not merely…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Bamidbar

“And Hashem spoke to Moshe in the wilderness of Sinai.” (1:1)

One of the words at the start of this parsha – “Bamidbar” (in the wilderness) – serves as the name of both the parsha and the fourth of the five Chumashim. Much of the Torah’s narrative takes place in the wilderness, and there Klal Yisroel received the Torah. Indeed, Chazal see an integral connection between the wilderness and the Torah. It is appropriate that this parsha is traditionally read on the Shabbos preceding the Yom Tov of Shavuos. We will therefore, state some of the approaches necessary for the proper and successful study of Torah. The Midrash states that the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Bamidbar

“On the first day of the second month in the second year of their exodus from the land of Egypt.” (1:1)

After the Bnei Yisroel received the Torah, only then does the posuk emphasize the specific time that they accepted it. Why is this? Isn’t the Torah above and beyond the limitations of time? The physical limitations of time and place do not play any role and place no restrictions on the performance of Torah and mitzvos. There is however, a lesson regarding our relationship with the Torah which is taught here. Although the Torah transcends the physical realm of time, it should not be viewed as an abstract entity which has no real application in our day and age. The…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Bamidbar

“Take a census of the entire Israelite community.” (1:2)

It appears remarkable that this new census yielded the identical total as the previous one taken some six months earlier (Shemos 38:26). What is even more notable is that the tribe of Levi, which was previously counted, is not included in the present census, since they were now counted separately. Apparently, during this six month period there were added to the ranks of Jewish males between the ages of twenty and sixty, a number equivalent to the tribe of Levi. When the tribe of Levi was chosen to devote their life entirely to the service of Hashem, they no longer…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Bamidbar

“Every man with his own flag, with signs according to their father’s house, the Bnei Yisroel shall camp.” (2:2)

Rabbi Ahron Kotler Zt”l expounds upon the importance of being orderly and organized in every facet of one’s daily endeavor. This is noted from the Torah’s detailed description of Am Yisroel’s every movement, their setting up of camp, and the arrangement in perfect order and sequence of every tribe according to its specific flag. This also applies to the laws detailing the service in the Mishkan and the order and sequence of carrying the Holy vessels during their travels in the desert. He explains that as a result of a lack of organization and order, the greatest holy endeavors can…

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“And they gathered the entire nation on the first of the second month… according to the number of names.” (1:18)

“Count the children of Levi… every male from the age of one month and above.” (3:15)

“All that were numbered of the Leviim, whom Moshe and Aharon numbered… All the males from a month old and upward, were twenty two thousand.” (3:39)

“And the charge of Elazer the son of Aharon the Kohen, shall be the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, and the Tamid meal offering, and the anointing oil, the charge of all the Mishkan. And of all that is therein over the Mishkan and over its vessels.” (4:16)

“And Hashem spoke to Moshe in the wilderness of Sinai.” (1:1)

“On the first day of the second month in the second year of their exodus from the land of Egypt.” (1:1)

“Take a census of the entire Israelite community.” (1:2)

“Every man with his own flag, with signs according to their father’s house, the Bnei Yisroel shall camp.” (2:2)

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