Bemidbar
Parshat Bemidbar
This morning we begin reading from the fourth book of the Torah; Bemidbar - Numbers. Literally, Bemidbar means in the desert and the book describes the 40 year journey of the people to the Promised Land. In English it is called Numbers because there are several lists of numbers of people. There is a list of how many Levites there are, and there are several other tribal lists as well.
First Aliyah - Numbers chapter 1:1-19 pp. 769-771
God commands Moses to count the people who are male and over 20 years old; those fit to be soldiers. God tells Moses who will be the tribal representatives to assist in the census.
Second Aliyah - 1:20-54 pp. 771-774
Each tribe presents their numbers. There were 603,550 males above the age of 20. The tribe of Levi was not to be counted. Their task was to care for the tabernacle.
Third Aliyah - 2:1-34 pp. 774-777
God tells Moses how the tribes are to arrange themselves around the tabernacle.
Fourth Aliyah - 3:1-13 pp. 777-779
A reiteration of the special task of the Levites.
Fifth Aliyah - 3:14-39 pp. 779-781
A special census of the Levitical families. They were numbered from one month old. Each family was in charge of a different ornament in the tabernacle. There were 22,000 male Levites.
Sixth Aliyah - 3:40-51 pp. 781-782
Moses is commanded to count all the first born males from one month old and upward. There were 22,273. The Levites were to be a substitute for the first born Israelites; they were specifically dedicated to the service of God. To make up for the difference in numbers, five shekels per person had to be brought to the priests. This act is remembered today when we celebrate a Pidyon Ha-Ben - redemption of the first born son.
Seventh Aliyah - 4:1-20 pp. 782-785
Directions by God as to the breakdown of the tabernacle in preparation for travel. Of the Levites, the Kohath family was in charge of all vessels. They could not see the vessels, they could only care for them once the priests packed the vessels away.
Maftir - 4:17-20 p. 785
Haftorah - Hosea 2:1-22 pp. 787-790
The connection with the portion is the first verse: “the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea.” Yet, the Haftorah discusses Israel’s unfaithfulness. Despite their idolatry, God still loves them.
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