“Take a census of the sons of Gershon as well, by their patrilineal house, by their families” (Numbers 4:22). “Take a census of the sons of Gershon,” that is what is written: “It is more precious than pearls, and all the objects of your desire do not equal it” (Proverbs 3:15). We learned there, a Sage takes precedence over a king of Israel: If a Sage dies, we have no one like him; if a king of Israel dies, all of Israel is fit for kingship. A king takes precedence over a High Priest, as it is stated: “The king said to them: Take with you the servants of your lord, [mount Solomon my son upon my mule, and take him down to Giḥon. Tzadok the priest and Natan the prophet shall anoint him there as king over Israel]” (I Kings 1:33–34).1The verse refers to the king as the lord of Tzadok, the High Priest. A High Priest takes precedence over a prophet, as it is stated: “Tzadok the priest and Natan the prophet shall anoint him there as king over Israel” (I Kings 1:34); Tzadok is before Natan.2Tosefta Horayot 2:8. Rabbi Huna said in the name of Rabbi Ḥanina: A prophet folds his arms and legs and sits before the priest, what is the source? It is written: “Hear now, Yehoshua the High Priest, [you and your colleagues who sit before you]” (Zechariah 3:8). Could it be that they were lay people? The verse states: “As they are men of distinction [mofet]” (Zechariah 3:8), and mofet is nothing other than prophecy, as it is stated: “And he will provide you with a sign or a wonder [mofet]” (Deuteronomy 13:2). A High Priest who was anointed with anointing oil takes precedence over one who was appointed with multiple vestments.3A High Priest could be appointed in two ways. He could be anointed with anointing oil, or he could enter his position by wearing the vestments of the High Priest. Since the High Priest has eight vestments and a regular priest has four vestments, the High Priest appointed by means of wearing the eight vestments is called "the High Priest of multiple vestments." A prophet takes precedence over the priest anointed for war. The priest anointed for war takes precedence over the deputy of the High Priest. The deputy takes precedence over the head of the priestly watch. The head of the priestly watch takes precedence over the head of the patrilineal house. The head of the patrilineal house takes precedence over the overseer. The overseer takes precedence over the treasurer. The treasurer takes precedence over the common priest. The common priest takes precedence over the Levite. The Levite takes precedence over the Israelite. The Israelite takes precedence over the mamzer, the mamzer overthe Givonite, the Givonite over the proselyte, the proselyte over the liberated slave. When? It is when they are all equal. However, if the mamzer is a Torah scholar, he takes precedence over a High Priest who is an ignoramus, as it is stated: “It is more precious than pearls.”4Tosefta, Horayot 2:8. They thought to say: To redeem, to sustain, and to clothe [he takes precedence], but for seating, no. Rabbi Avin said: Even for seating. What is the source? “It is more precious than pearls [mipeninim]” – even than the one who enters the innermost sanctum [lifnai velifnim]. Another matter, “it is more precious than pearls,” it is speaking of Kehat and Gershon. Even though Gershon is the firstborn, and we have found everywhere that the verse has accorded honor to the firstborn, because Kehat bore the Ark inside, which was the Torah, the verse gave him precedence over Gershon, as first it said: “Take a census of the sons of Kehat” (Numbers 4:2) and then it says: “Take a census of the sons of Gershon…” (Numbers 4:22).That is, “it is more precious than pearls [mipeninim],” than the firstborn who emerged first. Peninim is nothing other than first, just as it says: “This was formerly [lefanim] in Israel” (Ruth 4:7).
“Take a census of…,” that is what is written: “He will not withdraw His eyes from the righteous…” (Job 36:7). The Holy One blessed be He does not withhold from them the realization of their ideal, as we found that Jacob coveted the birthright for the sake of Heaven, so he would be able to sacrifice. He purchased it from Esau with money and the Holy One blessed be He agreed with him, and He called him: “My son, My firstborn” (Exodus 4:22). He granted greatness to the firstborn so they would sacrifice before Him. That is, “He will not withdraw His eyes [einav] from the righteous” (Job 36:7). [Another explanation:] “Einav” is nothing other than in his place [taḥtav], just as it says: “And, behold, the mark maintained its appearance [be’einav]” (Leviticus 13:5). What is taḥtav? These are his children, just as it says: “In the wake of [taḥat] your fathers, your sons will be” (Psalms 45:17). “And kings upon the throne” (Job 36:7), as the Holy One blessed be He accorded honor to the firstborn, and it was fitting for them to take the kingdom, as it is stated: “But the kingdom he gave to Yehoram, because he was the firstborn” (II Chronicles 21:3). Likewise, regarding David it says: “As for Me, I will make him My firstborn, supreme over kings of the earth” (Psalms 89:28). That is, “and kings upon the throne.” “He has seated them forever” (Job 36:7), as they [the Israelite firstborns] would have been fit to take the priesthood and what the Levites perform, had they not sinned in the act of the calf. Initially, the firstborn would sacrifice, as it is stated: “He sent the young men of the children of Israel and they offered up burnt offerings [and they slaughtered feast-offerings of bulls to the Lord]” (Exodus 24:5). Likewise, Jacob said to Reuben: “Reuben, you are my firstborn…[greater in honor [se’et] and greater in power [az]]” (Genesis 49:3). Se’et, this is priesthood, just as it says: “Aaron raised his hands [vayisa] toward the people, and blessed them” (Leviticus 9:22). Az, this is kingdom, as it is stated: “He will give strength [oz] to His king” (I Samuel 2:10). Had Reuben not sinned in the act of Bilha, he would have been worthy to take priesthood and kingdom, because he was the firstborn.. From where is it derived that they were worthy for the service of the Levites? It is as you find that the common Levites entered in place of the firstborn of Israel, as it is stated: “You shall take the Levites for Me, I am the Lord, in place of all the firstborn among the children of Israel” (Numbers 3:41). That is, “he has seated them forever [lanetzach].” This is the status of the Levites that the firstborn were worthy to take, just as it says: “The Levites were counted from thirty years old and above…of these…” (I Chronicles 23:3–4). “To supervise [lenatzeach] the labor of the House of the Lord” (Ezra 3:8). Regarding the tribe of Levi, the verse said: “My eyes are on the faithful of the land; they will dwell [lashevet] with me” (Psalms 101:6). That is “He has seated them [vayoshivem] forever.” “They were exalted” (Job 36:7). Who caused the firstborn to lose this honor? It is because they exalted themselves and worshipped before the calf. Therefore, “if there are those bound in shackles [bezikim]” (Job 36:8), they were prohibited from sacrificing an item that is done in fire.5"An item that is done in fire" refers to a sacrifice. Zikim is nothing other than fire, as it is stated: “Behold, all of you are igniters of fire, [lighters of sparks] [zikot]” (Isaiah 50:11). [“Or trapped in the pangs of poverty” (Job 36:8)], that each and every one of them is obligated to redeem himself with five silver shekels and give them to the Levites. We find regarding the firstborn of Israel that they descended from their prominence because of the act of the calf. But the firstborn of the Levites, who did not err regarding the calf, the priesthood was given to Aaron, who was the firstborn, and the rest of the firstborn Levites required neither redemption nor atonement, and merited Levite status with their brethren. Were a person to whisper to you: ‘Was Gershon not firstborn? Why did the verse give precedence to Kehat in taking a census, and only then counted Gershon?’ You, too, say to him: ‘Because [the family of] Kehat were the bearers of the Ark, which is of the most sacred order, and Aaron the priest, who was of the most sacred order, emerged from him, while Gershon was sacred. That is why the verse gave Kehat precedence. From where do you derive that Gershon did not lose his prominence because he was firstborn? It is as you find just as it is stated regarding Kehat: “Take a census of the sons of Kehat” (Numbers 4:2), so, it is stated regarding Gershon: “Take a census of the sons of Gershon [as well]” (Numbers 4:22). What is it that the verse stated: “As well”? It is so you will not say that it is for this that he counted the sons of Gershon second, because they are inferior to the sons of Kehat. No, rather, “as well” is written; that the sons of Gershon, too, were the equivalent of the sons of Kehat, but the verse gave them precedence here in deference to the Torah. But in other places, it gave precedence to Gershon over Kehat.
“By their patrilineal house, by their families,” by patrilineal house, he determined families for him, but not by their matrilineal house. Were the sons of Gershon to marry from among the daughters of Kehat or the daughters of Merari, their sons would be attributed to the families of Gershon. However, were the rest of the families to marry from the daughters of Gershon, their sons would be attributed to the rest of the families. “From thirty years old and above until fifty years old you shall count them: Everyone enlisted to perform a duty, to perform service in the Tent of Meeting” (Numbers 4:23). “From thirty years old and above.” It is taught: A High Priest enters the courtyard for service only if he is anointed for seven [days] and donned multiple vestments for seven [days]. Even if he was not anointed for seven and did not don multiple garments for seven, his service is valid. A common priest enters the courtyard for service only if he brought one-tenth of an ephah of his own and offers it with his own hand. Even though he did not bring one-tenth of an ephah of his own and offer it with his own hand, his service is valid. The son of a Levite enters the courtyard only if he studied for five years, as it is stated: “This is regarding the Levites: From twenty-five years old and above [he shall enlist to perform duty in the work of the Tent of Meeting]” (Numbers 8:24), and elsewhere it is stated: “From thirty years old and above.” (Numbers 4:3) If it is stated “from twenty-five years old,” why is “from thirty years old” stated? If it is stated “from thirty years old,” why is “from twenty-five years old” stated? Rather, all those years between twenty-five years old until thirty years old, he would study. From then on, they draw him near to service. From here they said: Anyone who does not see a modicum of success in his studies within five years, will never see [success]. Rabbi Yosei says: Three years, as it is stated: “To raise them for three years” (Daniel 1:5). One seats an elder in the Chamber of Hewn Stone only if he became a judge in his city. Once he became a judge in his city, they promote and seat him on the Temple Mount. From there, they promote and seat him on the chail.rampart.6The rampart is a section of the Temple Mount which is before the Women's Courtyard. See the Tosefta, Chagiga 2:4, which refers to a beit din on the Temple Mount, in the rampart, and in the Chamber of Hewn Stone. From there, they promote and seat him in the Chamber of Hewn Stone. “Everyone enlisted to perform a duty,” they were gatekeepers. “To perform service in the Tent of Meeting,” they were singers. “This is the service of the Gershonite families, to perform service and for bearing” (Numbers 4:24). “This is the service of the Gershonite families,” and no other; it teaches that it was prohibited for the sons of Gershon to enter into the service of the sons of Merari, in the beams of the Tabernacle, its bars, its pillars, and its sockets. “To perform service and for bearing” – when they would construct the Tabernacle, they would spread the woven strips of fabric in the Tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting. Everything that was in their charge, they would construct. When they dismantled the Tabernacle, they would load it onto the wagons. “They shall bear the woven strips of fabric of the Tabernacle, and the Tent of Meeting, its covering, and thetaḥashcovering that is upon it from above, and the screen for the entrance of the Tent of Meeting” (Numbers 4:25). “And the taḥash covering that is upon it from above,” in its plain sense. Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said: Rabbi Meir would say: The taḥash that existed in the days of Moses was a creature unto itself, and the Sages in that generation did not know whether it was a type of beast [chaya] or a type of animal [behema].7Among kosher animals, there are two distinct groups: cattle, referred to as behemot, and animals that are not normally domesticated, referred to as chayot. There are certain halakhik distinctions between them. The Sages did not know which category the tahash belonged to. It had a single horn on its forehead, and it was made available to Moses for that occasion. The Tabernacle was crafted of it, and it was hidden. From the fact that it says: It had one horn on its forehead, we learn from this that it was pure.8Shabbat 28b. “And the screen for the entrance of the Tent of Meeting,” just as it says: “You shall craft a screen for the entrance [of the Tent]” (Exodus 26:36). “And the hangings of the courtyard, and the screen for the entrance of the gate of the courtyard that is by the Tabernacle, and by the altar, all around, and their cords, and all the instruments of their service, and everything that shall be crafted for them, and they shall serve” (Numbers 4:26). “And the hangings of the courtyard,” these are the hangings that they positioned around the courtyard, just as it says: “You shall make the courtyard…likewise, on the north side…the width of the courtyard…fifteen cubits of hangings…and on the second side…” (Exodus 27:9, 11–12, 14–15). “And the screen for the entrance of the gate,” just as it says: “For the gate of the courtyard [a screen]…” (Exodus 27:16). “That is by the Tabernacle, and by the altar, all around.” It is taught: The altar of the burnt offering, its length is five cubits, its width is five cubits, and its height is three cubits, as it is stated: “You shall craft the altar […five cubits length and five cubits width, the altar shall be square, and three cubits its height]” (Exodus 27:1). “[And he crafted] the altar of the burnt offering…[its length was five cubits and its width five cubits square and its height was three cubits]” (Exodus 38:1), this is the statement of Rabbi Meir.9Rabbi Meir's position is that the verses giving the measurements of the altar should be understood literally. Rabbi Yosei said to him: From the fact that it is stated: “Five cubits length and five cubits width,” do I not know that it is square? Why does the verse state: “Shall be square”? Rather, it is stated in order to derive a verbal analogy from it. Here “square” is stated and elsewhere10Regarding the golden altar (Exodus 30:3). “square” is stated. Just as “square” stated elsewhere, its height is twice its width, here, too, its height is twice its width. Rabbi Meir said to him: ‘If as you say, the result is that the altar is five cubits higher than the courtyard hangings.’11The altar is ten cubits high while the courtyard hangings are five cubits high (see Exodus 27:18). Rabbi Yosei said to him: ‘But is it not already stated: “And the hangings of the courtyard, [and the screen for the entrance of the gate of the courtyard that is by the Tabernacle, and by the altar]”? (Numbers 4:26). Just as the Tabernacle is ten cubits, so the altar is ten cubits.’12The phrase: “That is by the Tabernacle, and by the altar” is extraneous. It juxtaposes the Tabernacle and the altar to teach us that just like the height of the Tabernacle was ten cubits, the height of the altar was also ten cubits. “And their cords,” these cords, what would they do with them? They would fold the strips of fabric and the hangings, they would tie them with the cords, and they would place them in the wagons. “And all the instruments of their service,” these are the golden hooks and the bronze hooks with which they would attach the strips of fabric. “And everything that shall be crafted for them, and they shall serve.” Everything that was done for all the vessels, the sons of Gershon would tend to them. “According to the directive of Aaron and his sons shall be all the service of the sons of the Gershonites, for all their burden, and for all their service; you shall assign them all their burden as a commission” (Numbers 4:27). “According to the directive of Aaron and his sons shall be,” this is what they said, that the Holy One blessed be He accorded honor to the firstborn. Just as the service of the sons of Kehat was according to the directive of Aaron and his sons, just as it says: “Aaron and his sons shall come, and assign them, each man…” (Numbers 4:19), so, too, the service of the sons of Gershon was according to the directive of Aaron and his sons. But with regards to the sons of Merari, it is not written: “According to the directive of Aaron and his sons.” “You shall assign them all their burden as a commission.” The verse includes Moses with them, so they13Moses, Aaron and his children. would command them [the Gershonites] to keep watch over everything that they [the Gershonites] bore. “This is the service of the families of the sons of the Gershonites in the Tent of Meeting, and their commission is under the direction of Itamar son of Aaron the priest” (Numbers 4:28). “This is the service of the families of the sons of the Gershonites…” Initially, Aaron and his sons and Moses with them assigned the sons of Gershon regarding their service, their burden, and their commission. From here on, their service and their commission is under the direction of Itamar son of Aaron the priest.
“The sons of Merari, by their families, by their patrilineal house, you shall count them” (Numbers 4:29). “The sons of Merari, by their families.” With regard to the sons of Kehat and the sons of Gershon, census [nesiut rosh]14Literally, raising the head. is stated, as the Holy One blessed be He accorded them honor; for Kehat, in deference to the Ark, and for Gershon, because he was firstborn. But the sons of Merari, who were only sons of a later born [son], and the labor of their burden was only beams, bars, pillars, and sockets, “take a census [naso et rosh]” is not stated. “By their families, by their patrilineal house you shall count them.” Why is it stated regarding the sons of Kehat and the sons of Merari: “By their families, by their patrilineal house,” it placed “their families” before “by their patrilineal house,” and regarding Gershon, it placed “by their patrilineal house” first? It is because the nesiut rosh of the sons of Gershon comes from their patrilineal house, but the nesiut rosh of the sons of Kehat is not dependent on their patrilineal house, but rather, on their bearing of the Ark. Likewise, the sons of Merari were from a patrilineal family descended from a later born son. That is why it placed families before patrilineal house. “This is the commission of their burden, for all their service in the Tent of Meeting: The beams of the Tabernacle, its bars, its pillars, and its sockets” (Numbers 4:31). “This is the commission of their burden,” this and none other; it teaches that it is prohibited for the sons of Merari to guard and work what the sons of Gershon guard and bear and work. “The beams of the Tabernacle,” these are the forty-eight Tabernacle beams. “Its bars,” these are the fifteen bars and the middle bar. “Its pillars,” these are the four pillars of acacia wood upon which they spread the curtain and the five pillars of acacia wood upon which they spread the screen of the entrance to the Tent. “And its sockets,” these are the sockets of the beams and the sockets of the pillars, which were one hundred and five sockets. “The pillars of the courtyard all around, their sockets, their pegs, and their cords, with all their instruments and for all their service and by names you shall appoint the instruments of the commission of their burden” (Numbers 4:32). “The pillars of the courtyard all around,” these are the fifty-six pillars that stood surrounding the courtyard, upon which they would spread the hangings. “Their sockets,” these are the fifty-six sockets in which they would stand the pillars, and the four pillars and four sockets upon which they would spread the screen of the entrance to the courtyard. “Their pegs,” these are the pegs of the Tabernacle and the pegs of the courtyard, of bronze, which they would stick into the ground all around, so the wind would not cause the hangings to fall. “And their cords, with all their instruments and for all their service,” with which they would affix the hangings with the pegs, and with which they would tie the pillars and the bars and load them onto the wagons so they would not fall. But for the beams, they crafted iron clasps with which they would secure the beams so they would not fall from upon the wagons. “And by names you shall appoint the instruments of the commission of their burden.” The Holy One blessed be He cautioned them that they should assign all of the Levites, each of them to his service and to his burden so they would not enter into dispute. This is what they would do: So and so will bear beams; so and so will bear bars; so and so will bear pillars, and likewise regarding each and every instrument. “This is the service of the families of the sons of Merari, for all their service in the Tent of Meeting, under the direction of Itamar, son of Aaron the priest” (Numbers 4:33). “This is the service of the families of the sons of Merari….” The sons of Merari, because their role in bearing was not from their patrilineal house,15Since Merari was not the firstborn, the role of the families of Merari role did not stem from the importance of the patrilineal house. that is the reason that it is not stated: “According to the directive of Aaron and his sons shall be” (Numbers 4:27), as it is stated regarding the sons of Gershon. Rather, all their actions were under the direction of Itamar. It teaches that Itamar would take all the vessels and give them to the sons of Merari, and likewise to the sons of Gershon, and he would assign each of them to his service and to his burden.
“Moses, Aaron, and the princes of the congregation counted the sons of the Kehatites by their families, and by their patrilineal house” (Numbers 4:34). “Moses, Aaron…counted.” Immediately Moses and Aaron acted, and they counted the sons of the Kehatites first, just as the Holy One blessed be He said to them. From where is it derived that the Holy One blessed be He said to both of them to count them? It is as it is stated: “The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron saying: Take a census of the sons of Kehat” (Numbers 4:1–2). Why is speech stated regarding Kehat and Gershon, but is not stated regarding Merari?16The verses contain direct speech by God to Moses and Aaron referring to two of the sons (Numbers 4:1-2, 21-22), but only an indirect reference for the third (Numbers 4:29). It is in order to accord honor to Gershon and to liken him to Kehat. Why is Aaron not stated in the speech regarding the sons of Gershon as it is stated regarding the sons of Kehat? It is because Aaron is excluded from all the speeches that were stated to Moses, as the Divine Presence did not speak with Aaron. Why, then, are there several places where Aaron is written? It is not that the speech was with Aaron, but rather, in every portion that relates to Aaron, “Aaron saying” is written. The Holy One blessed be He said to Moses, so that he would say to Aaron. This is why Aaron is written in the speech to the sons of Kehat. It is because every burden of the sons of Kehat and all their service was given to them by Aaron and his sons, as they were not permitted to touch the Ark and all the vessels until Aaron and his sons would cover them, just as it says: “Aaron and his sons shall conclude to cover the sacred [the Ark], [and all the sacred vessels…and then, the sons of Kehat shall come to bear…]” (Numbers 4:15). That is why Aaron is written in the speech regarding the sons of Kehat, as he is commanded regarding their service and their burden. But regarding the sons of Gershon, you do not find that Aaron did anything there; rather, it is under his direction the sons of Gershon would do everything that they do, and their actions were under the supervision of Itamar, as he would assign to each and every one of them his service and his burden. That is why Aaron is not written in the speech in the portion of the sons of Gershon.
“And the princes of the congregation [counted] the sons of the Kehatites.” Why are the princes necessary here? Is it not so, that the Holy One blessed be He did not say to Moses that the princes of the congregation should be with him in the census of the Levites? Why did he do so? Rather, this is what Moses said: ‘Since the princes were with me in the census of all Israel, just as it says: “And with you shall be [a man for each tribe, each is the head of his patrilineal house]” (Numbers 1:4), I will not cause them anguish and I will take them with me for the census of the Levites.’ From where is it derived that this is so? You find that after the census of Israel it is written: “These are the counted, that [Moses and Aaron, and the princes of Israel] counted” (Numbers 1:44), but after the census of the Levites, you do not find that the princes are mentioned there, but rather, “whom Moses and Aaron counted” (Numbers 4:37). It is to teach you that the princes of Israel did not count the Levites at the directive of divine speech. But rather Moses took them with him in order to accord them honor.
“From thirty [years old and above]” (Numbers 4:35); from here they said: Thirty years old for strength (Mishna Avot 5:21). “Their counted, by their families, was two thousand seven hundred and fifty” (Numbers 4:36). “Their counted, by their families,” this is what they said, that the Ark would kill of the sons of Kehat, as when he counted them from one month old, they were eight thousand six hundred, but when he counted them from thirty years old, not even one third of them were found. “These are the counted of the Kehatite families, all who served in the Tent of Meeting, whom Moses and Aaron counted according to the directive of the Lord at the hand of Moses” (Numbers 4:37). “These are the counted of the Kehatite families,” this is what they said, that the princes did not count with them at the directive of the divine speech, as the princes are not mentioned here. “According to the directive of the Lord at the hand of Moses,” they acted at the directive of the Lord, just as the Holy One blessed be He said to Moses that Aaron should count the sons of Kehat with him, as it is stated: “The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron saying: Take a census of [the sons of Kehat]” (Numbers 4:1–2). That is why it is stated: “At the hand of Moses,” as Moses said to Aaron, because Aaron was excluded from all the statements in the Torah that were stated to Moses.
“And the counted of the sons of Gershon, by their families, and by their patrilineal house” (Numbers 4:38). “And the counted of the sons of Gershon,” just as he counted the sons of Kehat at the directive of the Lord, so he counted the sons of Gershon. “From thirty years old and above until fifty years old, everyone who enlisted for duty, for work in the Tent of Meeting” (Numbers 4:39). “From thirty years old,” in the Tent of Meeting they were disqualified from fifty years and onward, but when they entered the Land of Israel, they were disqualified only on the basis of voice.17Only if their voices were not fit to join the Levites in their song in the Temple service. “Their counted by their families, by their patrilineal house, were two thousand and six hundred and thirty” (Numbers 4:40). “Their counted,” this is what they said, that the sons of Gershon, because they were not among the bearers of the Ark, that is why they were not lacking two-thirds from the first census, but rather, they were one hundred and thirty more than one-third. “These are the counted of the families of the sons of Gershon, all who worked in the Tent of Meeting, whom Moses and Aaron counted according to the directive of the Lord” (Numbers 4:41). “These are the counted of the families….” Why, in the census of the Kehatites, are “the sons of Kehat” not mentioned, just as it is stated regarding the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari, but “the Kehatite [haKehati]” is written? Because their census was for the purpose of bearing the Ark, the Holy One blessed be He appended His name to theirs, so they would not be eradicated; a heh at the beginning and a yod at the end. That is ya; so as to say that ya will deliver them from death, to realize what is stated: “To deliver them from death” (Psalms 33:19). “Whom Moses and Aaron counted according to the directive of the Lord.” Why is it not stated in the census of the sons of Gershon “at the hand of Moses,” as it is stated in the census of the sons of Kehat? It is because regarding the sons of Kehat, the Holy One blessed be He said to Moses that Aaron should count with Moses. The Holy One blessed be He mentioned Aaron at the beginning of the census with the intent that he should count all the Levites with Moses. However, when Moses heard that the Holy One blessed be He mentioned Aaron in the census of the sons of Kehat but did not mention him subsequently, neither in the census of the sons of Gershon nor in the census of the sons of Merari, Moses thought to himself and said: ‘This is why the Holy One blessed be He said to me, that Aaron should count the sons of Kehat with me; it is because all their burden and all their service is performed under his direction. But the service of the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari, that are not performed under his direction, He does not want him to count with me.’ That is why he said to Aaron that he should count the sons of Kehat with him, in the name of the Holy One blessed be He, and that is why it is written in the census of the sons of Kehat: “According to the directive of the Lord at the hand of Moses” (Numbers 4:37). But when he came to count the sons of Gershon, Moses did not say to Aaron in the name of the Holy One blessed be He that he should count the sons of Gershon with him, but rather, he accorded him honor because he was his older brother, and took him with him and included him with him for the census. That is why “at the hand of Moses” is not stated. Even though it was the intent of the Holy One blessed be He that Aaron should count all the Levites with him, and it was with that intent that He mentioned Aaron at the beginning of the census, because Moses did not say to Aaron that he should count the sons of Gershon with him in the name of the Holy One blessed be He, he omitted here “at the hand of Moses.”
“And the counted of the families of the sons of Merari, by their families, by their patrilineal house” (Numbers 4:42). “And the counted of the families.” Why are “families” stated in the census of the sons of Merari, but not regarding the sons of Kehat and not regarding the sons of Gershon? It is because the sons of Merari were numerous for service. They produced many families, as they were six thousand two hundred, and they increased from thirty years old, one hundred more than half [the number] of [those from age] one month old [to thirty], as you find that from one month old, their number totaled six thousand two hundred, and from thirty years old, their number totaled three thousand two hundred, one hundred more than half.18Those over thirty years of age were more than fifty percent of the total number from one month old and up. But regarding the sons of Kehat, the “families of the sons of Kehat” is not stated, as from thirty years old, not even one-third of those counted from one month old were found. Likewise, “and the counted of the families” was not stated regarding the sons of Gershon, as they, too, those who were from thirty years old did not reach half, as from one month old, they were seven thousand five hundred, and from thirty years old, they were only two thousand six hundred and thirty. “From thirty years old and above until fifty years old, everyone who enlisted for duty, for work in the Tent of Meeting” (Numbers 4:43). “From thirty years old and above until fifty years old,” from fifty years old and above, they were disqualified from standing in the Tabernacle and performing service, because they were incapable of reciting song, however, from fifty years old and above, they could return for the locking of gates. “Their counted by their families were three thousand and two hundred” (Numbers 4:44). “Their counted by their families were three thousand and two hundred.” This is what they said: Because they were a large population fit to perform service, “families” is stated in their regard. “These are the counted of the families of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron counted according to the directive of the Lord at the hand of Moses” (Numbers 4:45). “These are the counted of the families.” Why is “at the hand of Moses” stated regarding the sons of Merari? Because the Holy One blessed be He saw that Moses did not say to Aaron in the name of the Holy One blessed be He that he should count the sons of Gershon, therefore when he came to count the sons of Merari, the Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: ‘Go and say to Aaron, in My name, that he should count the sons of Merari with him.’ That is why “at the hand of Moses” is stated.
All the counted, whom Moses and Aaron and the princes of Israel counted, of the Levites, by their families, and by their patrilineal house” (Numbers 3:46). “All the counted, whom Moses [and Aaron and the princes of Israel] counted….” After calculating the family of the sons of Kehat alone, and the family of the sons of Gershon alone, and the family of the sons of Merari alone, it then included their totals together, to declare that they are all equal before the Holy One blessed be He in terms of affection. “From thirty years old and above until fifty years old, everyone who came to perform the service of work, and the service of bearing in the Tent of Meeting” (Numbers 4:47). “From thirty years old and above until fifty years old, everyone who came to perform the service of work, and the service [of bearing [avodat masa] in the Tent of Meeting].” It is taught: Lack of song invalidates the offering; this is the statement of Rabbi Meir. The Rabbis say: It does not invalidate. Rabbi Elazar said: Rabbi Meir’s source is from this verse: “I have given the Levites, given [to Aaron and to his sons…to perform the service of the children of Israel in the Tent of Meeting], and to atone for the children of Israel…” (Numbers 8:19); just as lack of atonement19One who fails to sprinkle the blood of the offering. disqualifies, so, too, lack of song disqualifies. The Rabbis establish from that verse: Just as atonement is during the day, so, too, song is during the day. Rabbi Yehuda said in the name of Shmuel: From where in the Torah is the requirement of song derived? The verse states: “He shall serve in the name of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 18:7). What is the service that includes the name of the Lord? That is song. Rabbi Naḥman bar Yitzḥak said: From here: “Take up [se’u] song, sound the timbrel; a pleasing lyre with a harp” (Psalms 81:3).20Rabbi Yitzḥak interprets avodat masa as referring to song. Se'u can mean lift up something, and it can mean lift up a voice. Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak said: “They will raise [yisu] their voices, they will sing, for the majesty of the Lord…” (Isaiah 24:14). It is taught: “But to the sons of Kehat he did not give, because the sacred service is upon them; they shall bear [yisa’u] on the shoulder” (Numbers 7:9). From the fact that it is stated: “On the shoulder,” do I not know that “they shall bear [yisa’u]”? Why does the verse state: “Yisa’u”? Yisa’u is nothing other than an expression of song. Likewise it says: “Take up [se’u] song, sound the timbrel…,” and it says: “They will raise [yisu] their voices, they will sing.” Ḥananya, the son of Rabbi Yehoshua’s brother said: From here:21This is another source for the requirement of song. “Moses would speak and God would answer him with a voice” (Exodus 19:19), regarding matters of voice. Rabbi Asa said: From here: “It was when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to sound one voice” (II Chronicles 5:13).22The priestly trumpeters are mentioned in the Torah, and here they are juxtaposed with the singing Levites. Rabbi Yonatan said: From here: “Neither you nor they will die” (Numbers 18:3); just as you23Priests. are involved in the altar service, so too, they are involved in the altar service. Rabbi Yoḥanan said: From here: “To perform the service of work [avodat avoda]” (Numbers 4:47); what is the service [avoda] that requires another service [avoda]? That is song.24Song is sung as an accompaniment to the pouring of the libation of a sacrifice. Thus, it is a service [avoda] which is only performed in conjunction with another service [avoda].
“Their counted were eight thousand and five hundred and eighty” (Numbers 4:48). “Their counted were eight thousand and five hundred and eighty.” This is what they said: They counted them separately and they counted them together, like a person who has objects that are fine, excellent, and especially dear to him; he counts them separately and then counts them together, because he rejoices in their substantial number. So, the Holy One blessed be He commanded to write the number of the Levites separately and together, because they were members of His household, upright, and especially dear to him. “According to the directive of the Lord he counted them, at the hand of Moses, each man to his service, and to his burden, and his count was as the Lord commanded Moses” (Numbers 4:49). “According to the directive of the Lord he counted them, at the hand of Moses.” This is said in reference to the sons of Kehat, as Aaron counted the sons of Kehat and said: ‘So-and-so and so-and-so will bear the Ark, and so-and-so and so-and-so will bear the altar, and likewise all the vessels of the most sacred order.’ Just as the Holy One blessed be He commanded Moses that Aaron should perform, so Aaron performed. That is, “at the hand of Moses.” From where do you say that it is regarding the sons of Kehat that the verse is speaking? It is as it is written:“Each man to his service, and to his burden.” So it is written regarding the sons of Kehat: “Aaron and his sons shall come, and assign them, each man to his service and to his burden” (Numbers 4:19). “And his count was as the Lord commanded Moses.” This is said in reference to the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari, as the Holy One blessed be He commanded that their service should be under his [Moses’] direction, with his brother Aaron. Regarding the sons of Gershon it is written: “You shall assign them all their burden as a commission” (Numbers 4:27), Moses was with them. Regarding the sons of Merari it is written: “And by names you shall appoint the instruments of the commission of their burden” (Numbers 4:32), it included Moses. That is why it is written: “And his count was as the Lord commanded Moses,” as Moses counted and said so-and-so, so-and-so, and so-and-so of the sons of Gershon will bear the woven strips of fabric. So-and-so, so-and-so, and so-and-so will bear the Tent of Meeting, and likewise regarding all the instruments of their service. He would assign the burden of the sons of Gershon by number. Likewise, Moses counted and said so-and-so, so-and-so, and so-and-so of the sons of Merari will bear the beams; so-and-so, so-and-so, and so-and-so of the sons of Merari will bear the bars; and likewise it was regarding all the instruments of the service of the burden of the sons of Merari; he would assign them by number to their service. That is, “as the Lord commanded Moses.” Moses was commanded regarding these two families, the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari, that he should command them how they should bear and how they should guard what is in their care. That is, “as the Lord commanded Moses.”
נָשׂא אֶת רֹאשׁ בְּנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן וגו' (במדבר ד, כב), הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (משלי ג, טו): יְקָרָה הִיא מִפְּנִינִים וְכָל חֲפָצֶיךָ לֹא יִשְׁווּ בָהּ, תְּנֵינַן תַּמָּן (תוספתא הוריות ב, ח): חָכָם קוֹדֵם לְמֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל, מֵת חָכָם אֵין לָנוּ כַּיּוֹצֵא בּוֹ, מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁמֵּת כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל רְאוּיִן לְמַלְכוּת. הַמֶּלֶךְ קוֹדֵם לְכֹהֵן גָּדוֹל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (מלכים א א, לג): וַיֹּאמֶר הַמֶּלֶךְ לָהֶם קְחוּ עִמָּכֶם אֶת עַבְדֵי אֲדֹנֵיכֶם וגו'. כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל קוֹדֵם לְנָבִיא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (מלכים א א, לד): וּמָשַׁח אֹתוֹ שָׁם צָדוֹק הַכֹּהֵן וְנָתָן הַנָּבִיא, צָדוֹק קוֹדֵם לְנָתָן. רַבִּי הוּנָא בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי חֲנִינָא אָמַר (ירושלמי הוריות ג-ה): נָבִיא כּוֹפֵף יָדָיו וְרַגְלָיו וְיוֹשֵׁב לוֹ לִפְנֵי כֹּהֵן, מַה טַעַם, דִּכְתִיב (זכריה ג, ח): שְׁמַע נָא יְהוֹשֻׁעַ הַכֹּהֵן הַגָּדוֹל וגו', יָכוֹל בְּנֵי אָדָם הֶדְיוֹטוֹת הָיוּ, תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר (זכריה ג, ח): כִּי אַנְשֵׁי מוֹפֵת הֵמָּה, וְאֵין מוֹפֵת אֶלָּא נְבוּאָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים יג, ב): וְנָתַן אֵלֶיךָ אוֹת אוֹ מוֹפֵת. מָשׁוּחַ בְּשֶׁמֶן הַמִּשְׁחָה קוֹדֵם לִמְרֻבֶּה בְּגָדִים. נָבִיא קוֹדֵם לִמְשׁוּחַ מִלְחָמָה, מְשׁוּחַ מִלְחָמָה קוֹדֵם לִסְגָן, סְגָן קוֹדֵם לְרֹאשׁ מִשְׁמָר, רֹאשׁ מִשְׁמָר קוֹדֵם לְרֹאשׁ בֵּית אָב, רֹאשׁ בֵּית אָב קוֹדֵם לַאֲמַרְכָּל, אֲמַרְכָּל קוֹדֵם לְגִזְבָּר, גִּזְבָּר קוֹדֵם לְכֹהֵן הֶדְיוֹט, כֹּהֵן הֶדְיוֹט קוֹדֵם לְלֵוִי, לֵוִי קוֹדֵם לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, יִשְׂרָאֵל לְמַמְזֵר, מַמְזֵר לְנָתִין, נָתִין לְגֵר, גֵּר לְעֶבֶד מְשֻׁחְרָר, אֵימָתַי בִּזְמַן שֶׁכֻּלָּן שָׁוִין אֲבָל אִם הָיָה מַמְזֵר תַּלְמִיד חָכָם קוֹדֵם לְכֹהֵן גָּדוֹל עַם הָאָרֶץ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: יְקָרָה הִיא מִפְּנִינִים, סָבְרִין מֵימַר לִפְדוּת, לְהַחֲיוֹת וְלִכְסוּת, הָא לִישִׁיבָה לָא, אָמַר רַבִּי אָבִין אַף לִישִׁיבָה, מַה טַּעַם יְקָרָה הִיא מִפְּנִינִים, אֲפִלּוּ מִזֶּה שֶׁהוּא נִכְנַס לִפְנַי וְלִפְנִים. דָּבָר אַחֵר, יְקָרָה הִיא מִפְּנִינִים, מְדַבֵּר בִּקְהָת וְגֵרְשׁוֹן, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁגֵּרְשׁוֹן בְּכוֹר וּמָצִינוּ שֶׁבְּכָל מָקוֹם חָלַק הַכָּתוּב כָּבוֹד לַבְּכוֹר, לְפִי שֶׁהָיָה קְהָת טוֹעֵן הָאָרוֹן שֶׁשָּׁם הַתּוֹרָה הִקְדִּימוֹ הַכָּתוּב לְגֵרְשׁוֹן, שֶׁבַּתְּחִלָּה אָמַר (במדבר ד, ב): נָשׂא אֶת רֹאשׁ בְּנֵי קְהָת, וְאַחַר כָּךְ אוֹמֵר: נָשׂא אֶת רֹאשׁ בְּנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן וגו', הֱוֵי: יְקָרָה הִיא מִפְּנִינִים, מִבְּכוֹר שֶׁיָּצָא רִאשׁוֹן, וְאֵין פְּנִינִים אֶלָּא תְּחִלָּה, כְּמָה דְּתֵימָא (רות ד, ז): וְזֹאת לְפָנִים בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל.
“Take a census of the sons of Gershon as well, by their patrilineal house, by their families” (Numbers 4:22).
“Take a census of the sons of Gershon,” that is what is written: “It is more precious than pearls, and all the objects of your desire do not equal it” (Proverbs 3:15). We learned there, a Sage takes precedence over a king of Israel: If a Sage dies, we have no one like him; if a king of Israel dies, all of Israel is fit for kingship. A king takes precedence over a High Priest, as it is stated: “The king said to them: Take with you the servants of your lord, [mount Solomon my son upon my mule, and take him down to Giḥon. Tzadok the priest and Natan the prophet shall anoint him there as king over Israel]” (I Kings 1:33–34).1The verse refers to the king as the lord of Tzadok, the High Priest. A High Priest takes precedence over a prophet, as it is stated: “Tzadok the priest and Natan the prophet shall anoint him there as king over Israel” (I Kings 1:34); Tzadok is before Natan.2Tosefta Horayot 2:8. Rabbi Huna said in the name of Rabbi Ḥanina: A prophet folds his arms and legs and sits before the priest, what is the source? It is written: “Hear now, Yehoshua the High Priest, [you and your colleagues who sit before you]” (Zechariah 3:8). Could it be that they were lay people? The verse states: “As they are men of distinction [mofet]” (Zechariah 3:8), and mofet is nothing other than prophecy, as it is stated: “And he will provide you with a sign or a wonder [mofet]” (Deuteronomy 13:2). A High Priest who was anointed with anointing oil takes precedence over one who was appointed with multiple vestments.3A High Priest could be appointed in two ways. He could be anointed with anointing oil, or he could enter his position by wearing the vestments of the High Priest. Since the High Priest has eight vestments and a regular priest has four vestments, the High Priest appointed by means of wearing the eight vestments is called "the High Priest of multiple vestments." A prophet takes precedence over the priest anointed for war. The priest anointed for war takes precedence over the deputy of the High Priest. The deputy takes precedence over the head of the priestly watch. The head of the priestly watch takes precedence over the head of the patrilineal house. The head of the patrilineal house takes precedence over the overseer. The overseer takes precedence over the treasurer. The treasurer takes precedence over the common priest. The common priest takes precedence over the Levite. The Levite takes precedence over the Israelite. The Israelite takes precedence over the mamzer, the mamzer over the Givonite, the Givonite over the proselyte, the proselyte over the liberated slave. When? It is when they are all equal. However, if the mamzer is a Torah scholar, he takes precedence over a High Priest who is an ignoramus, as it is stated: “It is more precious than pearls.”4Tosefta, Horayot 2:8. They thought to say: To redeem, to sustain, and to clothe [he takes precedence], but for seating, no. Rabbi Avin said: Even for seating. What is the source? “It is more precious than pearls [mipeninim]” – even than the one who enters the innermost sanctum [lifnai velifnim].
Another matter, “it is more precious than pearls,” it is speaking of Kehat and Gershon. Even though Gershon is the firstborn, and we have found everywhere that the verse has accorded honor to the firstborn, because Kehat bore the Ark inside, which was the Torah, the verse gave him precedence over Gershon, as first it said: “Take a census of the sons of Kehat” (Numbers 4:2) and then it says: “Take a census of the sons of Gershon…” (Numbers 4:22). That is, “it is more precious than pearls [mipeninim],” than the firstborn who emerged first. Peninim is nothing other than first, just as it says: “This was formerly [lefanim] in Israel” (Ruth 4:7).
נָשׂא אֶת רֹאשׁ וגו', הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (איוב לו, ז): לֹא יִגְרַע מִצַּדִּיק עֵינָיו וגו', אֵין הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מוֹנֵעַ דּוּגְמָא דִּידְהוּ, לְפִי שֶׁמָּצִינוּ שֶׁיַּעֲקֹב חָמַד אֶת הַבְּכוֹרָה לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם כְּדֵי שֶׁיּוּכַל לְהַקְרִיב, וּלְקָחָהּ מֵעֵשָׂו בְּדָמִים, וְהִסְכִּים הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עִמּוֹ, וּקְרָאוֹ (שמות ד, כב): בְּנִי בְּכֹרִי, וְנָתַן גְּדֻלָּה לַבְּכוֹרִים שֶׁיַּקְרִיבוּ לְפָנָיו, הֱוֵי: לֹא יִגְרַע מִצַּדִּיק עֵינָיו, וְאֵין עֵינָיו אֶלָּא תַּחְתָּיו, כְּמָה דְתֵימָא (ויקרא יג, ה): וְהִנֵּה הַנֶּגַע עָמַד בְּעֵינָיו. וּמַהוּ תַּחְתָּיו, אֵלּוּ בָּנָיו, כְּמָה דְתֵימָא (תהלים מה, יז): תַּחַת אֲבֹתֶיךָ יִהְיוּ בָנֶיךָ, (איוב לו, ז): וְאֶת מְלָכִים לַכִּסֵּא, שֶׁחָלַק הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא כָּבוֹד לַבְּכוֹרִים וְלָהֶם רָאוּי מַלְכוּת לִטֹּל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברי הימים ב כא, ג): וְאֶת הַמַּמְלָכָה נָתַן לִיהוֹרָם כִּי הוּא הַבְּכוֹר. וְכֵן בְּדָוִד הוּא אוֹמֵר (תהלים פט, כח): אַף אָנִי בְּכוֹר אֶתְּנֵהוּ עֶלְיוֹן לְמַלְכֵי אָרֶץ, הֱוֵי: וְאֶת מְלָכִים לַכִּסֵּא (איוב לו, ז): וַיּשִׁיבֵם לָנֶצַח, שֶׁהֵם הָיוּ רְאוּיִם לִטֹּל הַכְּהֻנָּה וּמַה שֶּׁהַלְוִיִּם עוֹשִׂים אִלּוּלֵי לֹא חָטְאוּ בְּמַעֲשֵׂה הָעֵגֶל, שֶׁבַּתְּחִלָּה הָיוּ הַבְּכוֹרִים מַקְרִיבִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמות כד, ה): וַיִּשְׁלַח אֶת נַעֲרֵי בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיַּעֲלוּ עֹלֹת וגו', וְכֵן יַעֲקֹב אוֹמֵר לִרְאוּבֵן (בראשית מט, ג): רְאוּבֵן בְּכֹרִי אַתָּה וגו' שְׂאֵת זוֹ כְּהֻנָּה, כְּמָה דְתֵימָא (ויקרא ט, כב): וַיִּשָֹּׂא אַהֲרֹן אֶת יָדָיו אֶל הָעָם וַיְבָרֲכֵם. עָז זוֹ מַלְכוּת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמואל א ב, י): וְיִתֶּן עֹז לְמַלְכּוֹ, שֶׁאִלּוּלֵי לֹא סָרַח רְאוּבֵן בְּמַעֲשֵׂה בִּלְהָה הָיָה רָאוּי לִטֹּל כְּהֻנָּה וּמַלְכוּת, לְפִי שֶׁהָיָה בְּכוֹר, וּמִנַּיִן אַף לַעֲבוֹדַת הַלְוִיִּם הָיָה רְאוּיִין, שֶׁכֵּן אַתְּ מוֹצֵא שֶׁנִּכְנְסוּ פְּשׁוּטֵי הַלְוִיִּם תַּחַת בְּכוֹרֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (במדבר ג, מא): וְלָקַחְתָּ אֶת הַלְוִיִּם לִי אֲנִי ה' תַּחַת כָּל בְּכֹר בִּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וגו', הֱוֵי: וַיּשִׁיבֵם לָנֶצַח, זוֹ הִיא הַלְוִיָּה שֶׁהָיוּ רְאוּיִן הַבְּכוֹרִים לִטֹּל, כְּמָה דְתֵימָא (דברי הימים א כג, ג ד): וַיִּסָּפְרוּ הַלְוִיִּם מִבֶּן שְׁלשִׁים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה וגו' מֵאֵלֶּה, (עזרא ג, ח): לְנַצֵּחַ עַל מְלֶאכֶת בֵּית ה' וגו', וְעַל שֵׁבֶט הַלֵּוִי אָמַר הַכָּתוּב (תהלים קא, ו): עֵינַי בְּנֶאֶמְנֵי אֶרֶץ לָשֶׁבֶת עִמָּדִי, הֱוֵי: וַיּשִׁיבֵם לָנֶצַח, (איוב לו, ז): וַיִּגְבָּהוּ, מִי גָרַם לָהֶם לַבְּכוֹרִים שֶׁאִבְּדוּ הַכָּבוֹד הַזֶּה, עַל שֶׁנִּתְגַבְּהוּ בְּעַצְמָם וְעָבְדוּ לִפְנֵי הָעֵגֶל, לְפִיכָךְ (איוב לו, ח): וְאִם אֲסוּרִים בַּזִּקִּים, שֶׁנֶּאֶסְרוּ מִלְּהַקְרִיב דָּבָר הַנַּעֲשָׂה בָּאֵשׁ, וְאֵין זִקִּים אֶלָּא אֵשׁ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ישעיה נ, יא): הֵן כֻּלְּכֶם קֹדְחֵי אֵשׁ וגו', שֶׁהֵם צְרִיכִים לִפְדוֹת עַצְמָם כָּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד בַּחֲמִשָּׁה שְׁקָלִים כֶּסֶף וְלִתֵּן לַלְוִיִּם. הֲרֵי מָצִינוּ בִּבְכוֹרֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁיָּרְדוּ מִגְדֻלָּתָם עַל מַעֲשֵׂה הָעֵגֶל, אֲבָל בְּכוֹרֵי הַלְוִיִּם שֶׁלֹא טָעוּ בָּעֵגֶל נִתְּנָה הַכְּהֻנָּה לְאַהֲרֹן שֶׁהָיָה בְּכוֹר, וּשְׁאָר בְּכוֹרֵי הַלְוִיִּם לֹא הֻצְרְכוּ לְפִדְיוֹן וְלֹא לְכַפָּרָה, וְזָכוּ לַלְוִיִּם עִם אֲחֵיהֶם. וְאִם לְחָשְׁךָ אָדָם וַהֲלוֹא גֵּרְשׁוֹן הָיָה בְּכוֹר לָמָּה הִקְדִּים הַכָּתוּב לִקְהָת לִנְשִׂיאַת רֹאשׁ וְאַחַר מָנָה לְגֵרְשׁוֹן, אַף אַתָּה אֱמָר לוֹ לְפִי שֶׁקְּהָת הָיָה מִטּוֹעֲנֵי הָאָרוֹן שֶׁהוּא קֹדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים וְיָצָא מִמֶּנּוּ אַהֲרֹן הַכֹּהֵן שֶׁהוּא קֹדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים, וְגֵרְשׁוֹן הָיָה קֹדֶשׁ, לְכָךְ הִקְדִּימוֹ הַכָּתוּב לִקְהָת. וּמִנַּיִן אַתְּ לָמֵד שֶׁגֵּרְשׁוֹן לֹא אִבֵּד גְּדֻלָּתוֹ לְפִי שֶׁהָיָה בְּכוֹר, שֶׁכֵּן אַתְּ מוֹצֵא כְּשֵׁם שֶׁאָמוּר בִּקְהָת (במדבר ד, ב): נָשׂא אֶת רֹאשׁ בְּנֵי קְהָת, כָּךְ אָמוּר בְּגֵרְשׁוֹן: נָשׂא אֶת רֹאשׁ בְּנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן. וּמַהוּ שֶׁאָמַר הַכָּתוּב: גַּם הֵם, שֶׁלֹא תֹאמַר שֶׁלְּכָךְ מָנָה בְּנֵי גֵּרְשׁוֹן שְׁנִיִּים שֶׁהֵם פְּחוּתִים מִבְּנֵי קְהָת, לָאו, אֶלָּא כְּתִיב גַּם הֵם, שֶׁאַף בְּנֵי גֵּרְשׁוֹן כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּהֶם שֶׁל בְּנֵי קְהָת. אֶלָּא שֶׁהִקְדִּימוֹ הַכָּתוּב כָּאן בִּשְׁבִיל כְּבוֹד הַתּוֹרָה, אֲבָל בִּמְקוֹמוֹת אֲחֵרִים הִקְדִּים לְגֵרְשׁוֹן תְּחִלָּה לִקְהָת.
“Take a census of…,” that is what is written: “He will not withdraw His eyes from the righteous…” (Job 36:7). The Holy One blessed be He does not withhold from them the realization of their ideal, as we found that Jacob coveted the birthright for the sake of Heaven, so he would be able to sacrifice. He purchased it from Esau with money and the Holy One blessed be He agreed with him, and He called him: “My son, My firstborn” (Exodus 4:22). He granted greatness to the firstborn so they would sacrifice before Him. That is, “He will not withdraw His eyes [einav] from the righteous” (Job 36:7). [Another explanation:] “Einav” is nothing other than in his place [taḥtav], just as it says: “And, behold, the mark maintained its appearance [be’einav]” (Leviticus 13:5). What is taḥtav? These are his children, just as it says: “In the wake of [taḥat] your fathers, your sons will be” (Psalms 45:17).
“And kings upon the throne” (Job 36:7), as the Holy One blessed be He accorded honor to the firstborn, and it was fitting for them to take the kingdom, as it is stated: “But the kingdom he gave to Yehoram, because he was the firstborn” (II Chronicles 21:3). Likewise, regarding David it says: “As for Me, I will make him My firstborn, supreme over kings of the earth” (Psalms 89:28). That is, “and kings upon the throne.”
“He has seated them forever” (Job 36:7), as they [the Israelite firstborns] would have been fit to take the priesthood and what the Levites perform, had they not sinned in the act of the calf. Initially, the firstborn would sacrifice, as it is stated: “He sent the young men of the children of Israel and they offered up burnt offerings [and they slaughtered feast-offerings of bulls to the Lord]” (Exodus 24:5).
Likewise, Jacob said to Reuben: “Reuben, you are my firstborn…[greater in honor [se’et] and greater in power [az]]” (Genesis 49:3). Se’et, this is priesthood, just as it says: “Aaron raised his hands [vayisa] toward the people, and blessed them” (Leviticus 9:22). Az, this is kingdom, as it is stated: “He will give strength [oz] to His king” (I Samuel 2:10). Had Reuben not sinned in the act of Bilha, he would have been worthy to take priesthood and kingdom, because he was the firstborn..
From where is it derived that they were worthy for the service of the Levites? It is as you find that the common Levites entered in place of the firstborn of Israel, as it is stated: “You shall take the Levites for Me, I am the Lord, in place of all the firstborn among the children of Israel” (Numbers 3:41). That is, “he has seated them forever [lanetzach].” This is the status of the Levites that the firstborn were worthy to take, just as it says: “The Levites were counted from thirty years old and above…of these…” (I Chronicles 23:3–4). “To supervise [lenatzeach] the labor of the House of the Lord” (Ezra 3:8). Regarding the tribe of Levi, the verse said: “My eyes are on the faithful of the land; they will dwell [lashevet] with me” (Psalms 101:6). That is “He has seated them [vayoshivem] forever.”
“They were exalted” (Job 36:7). Who caused the firstborn to lose this honor? It is because they exalted themselves and worshipped before the calf. Therefore, “if there are those bound in shackles [bezikim]” (Job 36:8), they were prohibited from sacrificing an item that is done in fire.5"An item that is done in fire" refers to a sacrifice. Zikim is nothing other than fire, as it is stated: “Behold, all of you are igniters of fire, [lighters of sparks] [zikot]” (Isaiah 50:11). [“Or trapped in the pangs of poverty” (Job 36:8)], that each and every one of them is obligated to redeem himself with five silver shekels and give them to the Levites.
We find regarding the firstborn of Israel that they descended from their prominence because of the act of the calf. But the firstborn of the Levites, who did not err regarding the calf, the priesthood was given to Aaron, who was the firstborn, and the rest of the firstborn Levites required neither redemption nor atonement, and merited Levite status with their brethren.
Were a person to whisper to you: ‘Was Gershon not firstborn? Why did the verse give precedence to Kehat in taking a census, and only then counted Gershon?’ You, too, say to him: ‘Because [the family of] Kehat were the bearers of the Ark, which is of the most sacred order, and Aaron the priest, who was of the most sacred order, emerged from him, while Gershon was sacred. That is why the verse gave Kehat precedence.
From where do you derive that Gershon did not lose his prominence because he was firstborn? It is as you find just as it is stated regarding Kehat: “Take a census of the sons of Kehat” (Numbers 4:2), so, it is stated regarding Gershon: “Take a census of the sons of Gershon [as well]” (Numbers 4:22). What is it that the verse stated: “As well”? It is so you will not say that it is for this that he counted the sons of Gershon second, because they are inferior to the sons of Kehat. No, rather, “as well” is written; that the sons of Gershon, too, were the equivalent of the sons of Kehat, but the verse gave them precedence here in deference to the Torah. But in other places, it gave precedence to Gershon over Kehat.
לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם (במדבר ד, כב), לְבֵית אָבוֹת עָשָׂה לוֹ מִשְׁפָּחוֹת וְלֹא לְבֵית אִמּוֹתָם, שֶׁאִם נָשְׂאוּ בְּנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן מִבְּנוֹת קְהָת אוֹ מִבְּנוֹת מְרָרִי יִקָּרְאוּ בְּנֵיהֶם עַל שֵׁם מִשְׁפְּחוֹת גֵּרְשׁוֹן, אֲבָל אִם מִשְׁאָר מִשְׁפָּחוֹת נָשְׂאוּ מִבְּנוֹת גֵּרְשׁוֹן, הָיוּ בְּנֵיהֶם נִקְרָאִין עַל שֵׁם שְׁאָר הַמִּשְׁפָּחוֹת. (במדבר ד, כג): מִבֶּן שְׁלשִׁים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה וגו', תָּנֵי (תוספתא שקלים ג, טז): כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל אֵין נִכְנָס לָעֲזָרָה לָעֲבוֹדָה אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן נִמְשַׁח שִׁבְעָה וְנִתְרַבָּה שִׁבְעָה, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁלֹא נִמְשַׁח שִׁבְעָה וְנִתְרַבָּה שִׁבְעָה וְעָבַד, עֲבוֹדָתוֹ כְּשֵׁרָה. כֹּהֵן הֶדְיוֹט אֵין נִכְנָס לָעֲזָרָה לָעֲבוֹדָה אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן הֵבִיא עֲשִׂירִית הָאֵיפָה מִשֶּׁלּוֹ וְעוֹבְדָהּ בְּיָדוֹ, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁלֹא הֵבִיא עֲשִׂירִית הָאֵיפָה מִשֶּׁלּוֹ וְעוֹבְדָהּ בְּיָדוֹ וְעָבַד, עֲבוֹדָתוֹ כְּשֵׁרָה. בֶּן לֵוִי אֵין נִכְנָס לָעֲזָרָה לָעֲבוֹדָה אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן לָמַד חָמֵשׁ שָׁנִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (במדבר ח, כד): זֹאת אֲשֶׁר לַלְוִיִּם מִבֶּן חָמֵשׁ וְעֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה, וּלְהַלָּן הוּא אוֹמֵר: מִבֶּן שְׁלשִׁים שָׁנָה, אִם נֶאֱמַר: מִבֶּן חָמֵשׁ וְעֶשְׂרִים לָמָּה נֶאֱמַר: מִבֶּן שְׁלשִׁים, וְאִם נֶאֱמַר: מִבֶּן שְׁלשִׁים לָמָּה נֶאֱמַר: מִבֶּן חָמֵשׁ וְעֶשְׂרִים, אֶלָּא, כָּל אוֹתָן שָׁנִים שֶׁמִּבֶּן חָמֵשׁ וְעֶשְׂרִים וְעַד בֶּן שְׁלשִׁים הָיָה לָמֵד, מִכָּאן וָאֵילָךְ מְקָרְבִין אוֹתוֹ לָעֲבוֹדָה. מִכָּאן אָמְרוּ כָּל שֶׁאֵינוֹ רוֹאֶה סִימָן בְּרָכָה בְּמִשְׁנָתוֹ בְּתוֹךְ חָמֵשׁ שָׁנִים, שׁוּב אֵינוֹ רוֹאֶה. רַבִּי יוֹסֵי אוֹמֵר שָׁלשׁ שָׁנִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דניאל א, ה): וּלְגַדְּלָם שָׁנִים שָׁלוֹשׁ. זָקֵן אֵין מוֹשִׁיבִין אוֹתוֹ בַּגָּזִית אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן נַעֲשָׂה דַיָּן בְּעִירוֹ, מִשֶּׁנַּעֲשָׂה דַיָּן בְּעִירוֹ מַעֲלִין וּמוֹשִׁיבִין אוֹתוֹ בְּהַר הַבַּיִת, מִשָּׁם מַעֲלִין וּמוֹשִׁיבִין אוֹתוֹ בַּחֵיל, מִשָּׁם מַעֲלִין וּמוֹשִׁיבִין אוֹתוֹ בְּלִשְׁכַּת הַגָּזִית. (במדבר ד, כג): כָּל הַבָּא לִצְבֹא צָבָא, שֶׁהָיוּ שׁוֹעֲרִים. (במדבר ד, כג): לַעֲבֹד עֲבֹדָה בְּאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, שֶׁהָיוּ מְשׁוֹרְרִים. (במדבר ד, כד): זֹאת עֲבֹדַת מִשְׁפְּחֹת הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּי, וְלֹא אַחֶרֶת, מְלַמֵּד שֶׁבְּנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן הָיוּ אֲסוּרִין לִכָּנֵס לַעֲבוֹדַת בְּנֵי מְרָרִי בְּקַרְשֵׁי הַמִּשְׁכָּן וּבְרִיחָיו וְעַמּוּדָיו וַאֲדָנָיו. (במדבר ד, כד): לַעֲבֹד וּלְמַשָֹּׂא, שֶׁבְּעֵת שֶׁהָיוּ מְקִימִין הַמִּשְׁכָּן הֵם הָיוּ פּוֹרְשִׂין יְרִיעוֹת בְּמִשְׁכַּן אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, וְכָל מַה שֶּׁהָיָה מְמֻנֶּה תַּחַת יָדָם הָיוּ מְקִימִין, וּבְעֵת שֶׁהָיוּ פּוֹרְקִין הַמִּשְׁכָּן הֵם הָיוּ טוֹעֲנִין אוֹתוֹ עַל הָעֲגָלוֹת. (במדבר ד, כה): וּמִכְסֵה הַתַּחַשׁ אֲשֶׁר עָלָיו מִלְמָעְלָה, כְּמַשְׁמָעוֹ. אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן לָקִישׁ אוֹמֵר הָיָה רַבִּי מֵאִיר תַּחַשׁ שֶׁהָיָה בִּימֵי משֶׁה בְּרִיָה בִּפְנֵי עַצְמָהּ הָיְתָה וְלֹא הִכִּירוּ בָּהּ חֲכָמִים שֶׁבְּאוֹתוֹ הַדּוֹר אִם מִין חַיָּה הוּא אוֹ מִין בְּהֵמָה הוּא, וְקֶרֶן אַחַת הָיְתָה לָהּ בְּמִצְחָהּ, וּלְפִי שָׁעָה נִזְדַּמֵּן לוֹ לְמשֶׁה, וְנַעֲשָׂה מִמֶּנָּהּ מִשְׁכָּן, וְנִגְנְזָה. מִדְּקָאָמַר קֶרֶן אַחַת הָיְתָה לָהּ בְּמִצְחָהּ, מִזֶּה לָמַדְנוּ שֶׁטְּהוֹרָה הָיְתָהּ. (במדבר ד, כה): וְאֶת מָסַךְ פֶּתַח אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, כְּמָה דְתֵימָא (שמות כו, לו): וְעָשִׂיתָ מָסָךְ לְפֶתַח וגו' (במדבר ד, כו): וְאֵת קַלְעֵי הֶחָצֵר, אֵלּוּ קְלָעִים שֶׁעָשׂוּ סָבִיב לַחָצֵר, כְּמָה דְתֵימָא (שמות כז, ט טו): וְעָשִׂיתָ אֵת חֲצַר וגו' וְכֵן לִפְאַת צָפוֹן וגו' וְרֹחַב הֶחָצֵר וגו' וַחֲמֵשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה אַמָּה קְלָעִים וגו' וְלַכָּתֵף הַשֵּׁנִית וגו' (במדבר ד, כו): וְאֶת מָסַךְ פֶּתַח שַׁעַר וגו', כְּמָה דְתֵימָא (שמות כז, טז): וּלְשַׁעַר הֶחָצֵר וגו' (במדבר ד, כו): אֲשֶׁר עַל הַמִּשְׁכָּן וְעַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ סָבִיב. תָּנֵי מִזְבַּח הָעוֹלָה אָרְכּוֹ חָמֵשׁ אַמּוֹת וְרָחְבּוֹ חָמֵשׁ אַמּוֹת וְגָבְהוֹ שָׁלשׁ אַמּוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמות כז, א): וְעָשִׂיתָ אֶת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ (שמות לח, א): מִזְבַּח הָעֹלָה וגו', דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר. אָמַר לוֹ רַבִּי יוֹסֵי מִמַּשְׁמַע שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמות כז, א): חָמֵשׁ אַמּוֹת אֹרֶךְ וְחָמֵשׁ אַמּוֹת רֹחַב, אֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ שֶׁהוּא רָבוּעַ, מַה תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר (שמות כז, א): רָבוּעַ יִהְיֶה, אֶלָּא מֻפְנֶה לְהַקִּישׁ לָדוּן מִמֶּנּוּ גְּזֵרָה שָׁוָה, נֶאֱמַר כָּאן רָבוּעַ, וְנֶאֱמַר לְהַלָּן רָבוּעַ, מָה רָבוּעַ הָאָמוּר לְהַלָּן גָּבְהוֹ שְׁנַיִם בְּרָחְבּוֹ, אַף כָּאן גָּבְהוֹ שְׁנַיִם בְּרָחְבּוֹ. אָמַר לוֹ רַבִּי מֵאִיר אִם כִּדְבָרֶיךָ נִמְצָא גּוֹבַהּ מִזְבֵּחַ מִן הַקְלָעִים חָמֵשׁ אַמּוֹת. אָמַר לוֹ רַבִּי יוֹסֵי וַהֲלוֹא כְּבָר נֶאֱמַר (במדבר ד, כו): וְקַלְעֵי הֶחָצֵר סָבִיב וגו', מַה מִּשְׁכָּן עֶשֶׂר אַמּוֹת אַף מִזְבֵּחַ עֶשֶׂר אַמּוֹת. (במדבר ד, כו): וְאֵת מֵיתְרֵיהֶם, אֵלּוּ הַמֵּיתָרִים, מַה הָיוּ עוֹשִׂין בָּהֶם, הָיוּ מְקַפְּלִין הַיְרִיעוֹת וְהַקְּלָעִים וְהָיוּ אוֹסְרִים אוֹתָם בָּהֶם וּמַנִּיחִים אוֹתָם עַל הָעֲגָלוֹת, (במדבר ד, כו): וְאֶת כָּל כְּלֵי עֲבֹדָתָם, אֵלּוּ קַרְסֵי זָהָב וְאֵלּוּ קַרְסֵי נְחשֶׁת שֶׁהָיוּ מְחַבְּרִים בָּהֶם הַיְרִיעוֹת. (במדבר ד, כו): וְאֵת כָּל אֲשֶׁר יֵעָשֶׂה לָהֶם וְעָבָדוּ, כָּל מַה שֶּׁהָיָה נַעֲשָׂה לְכָל הַכֵּלִים יִהְיוּ בְּנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן עוֹשִים. (במדבר ד, כז): עַל פִּי אַהֲרֹן וּבָנָיו תִּהְיֶה לָהֶם וגו', זוֹ הִיא שֶׁאָמְרוּ שֶׁחָלַק הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא כָּבוֹד לַבְּכוֹר, כְּשֵׁם שֶׁעֲבוֹדַת בְּנֵי קְהָת הָיְתָה עַל פִּי אַהֲרֹן וּבָנָיו, כְּמָה דְתֵימָא (במדבר ד, יט): אַהֲרֹן וּבָנָיו יָבֹאוּ וְשָׂמוּ אוֹתָם אִישׁ אִישׁ וגו', כֵּן עֲבוֹדַת בְּנֵי גֵּרְשׁוֹן הָיְתָה עַל פִּי אַהֲרֹן וּבָנָיו, אֲבָל בִּבְנֵי מְרָרִי לֹא נֶאֱמַר בּוֹ עַל פִּי אַהֲרֹן וּבָנָיו. (במדבר ד, כז): וּפְקַדְתֶּם עֲלֵיהֶם בְּמִשְׁמֶרֶת אֵת כָּל מַשָֹּׂאָם, הֵבִיא הַכָּתוּב משֶׁה עִמָּהֶם שֶׁיִּהְיוּ מְצַוִּים עֲלֵיהֶם, שֶׁיִּהְיוּ שׁוֹמְרִים עַל כָּל מַה שֶּׁנּוֹשְׂאִים. (במדבר ד, כח): זֹאת עֲבֹדַת מִשְׁפְּחֹת בְּנֵי הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּי וגו', בַּתְּחִלָּה שָׂמוּ אַהֲרֹן וּבָנָיו וּמשֶׁה עִמָּהֶם לִבְנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן עַל עֲבוֹדָתָם וְעַל מַשָֹּׂאָם וְעַל מִשְׁמַרְתָּם, מִכָּאן וָאֵילָךְ עֲבוֹדָתָם וּמִשְׁמַרְתָּם הָיְתָה בְּיַד אִיתָמָר בֶּן אַהֲרֹן הַכֹּהֵן.
“By their patrilineal house, by their families,” by patrilineal house, he determined families for him, but not by their matrilineal house. Were the sons of Gershon to marry from among the daughters of Kehat or the daughters of Merari, their sons would be attributed to the families of Gershon. However, were the rest of the families to marry from the daughters of Gershon, their sons would be attributed to the rest of the families.
“From thirty years old and above until fifty years old you shall count them: Everyone enlisted to perform a duty, to perform service in the Tent of Meeting” (Numbers 4:23).
“From thirty years old and above.” It is taught: A High Priest enters the courtyard for service only if he is anointed for seven [days] and donned multiple vestments for seven [days]. Even if he was not anointed for seven and did not don multiple garments for seven, his service is valid.
A common priest enters the courtyard for service only if he brought one-tenth of an ephah of his own and offers it with his own hand. Even though he did not bring one-tenth of an ephah of his own and offer it with his own hand, his service is valid.
The son of a Levite enters the courtyard only if he studied for five years, as it is stated: “This is regarding the Levites: From twenty-five years old and above [he shall enlist to perform duty in the work of the Tent of Meeting]” (Numbers 8:24), and elsewhere it is stated: “From thirty years old and above.” (Numbers 4:3) If it is stated “from twenty-five years old,” why is “from thirty years old” stated? If it is stated “from thirty years old,” why is “from twenty-five years old” stated? Rather, all those years between twenty-five years old until thirty years old, he would study. From then on, they draw him near to service. From here they said: Anyone who does not see a modicum of success in his studies within five years, will never see [success]. Rabbi Yosei says: Three years, as it is stated: “To raise them for three years” (Daniel 1:5).
One seats an elder in the Chamber of Hewn Stone only if he became a judge in his city. Once he became a judge in his city, they promote and seat him on the Temple Mount. From there, they promote and seat him on the chail.rampart.6The rampart is a section of the Temple Mount which is before the Women's Courtyard. See the Tosefta, Chagiga 2:4, which refers to a beit din on the Temple Mount, in the rampart, and in the Chamber of Hewn Stone. From there, they promote and seat him in the Chamber of Hewn Stone.
“Everyone enlisted to perform a duty,” they were gatekeepers. “To perform service in the Tent of Meeting,” they were singers.
“This is the service of the Gershonite families, to perform service and for bearing” (Numbers 4:24).
“This is the service of the Gershonite families,” and no other; it teaches that it was prohibited for the sons of Gershon to enter into the service of the sons of Merari, in the beams of the Tabernacle, its bars, its pillars, and its sockets. “To perform service and for bearing” – when they would construct the Tabernacle, they would spread the woven strips of fabric in the Tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting. Everything that was in their charge, they would construct. When they dismantled the Tabernacle, they would load it onto the wagons.
“They shall bear the woven strips of fabric of the Tabernacle, and the Tent of Meeting, its covering, and the taḥash covering that is upon it from above, and the screen for the entrance of the Tent of Meeting” (Numbers 4:25).
“And the taḥash covering that is upon it from above,” in its plain sense. Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said: Rabbi Meir would say: The taḥash that existed in the days of Moses was a creature unto itself, and the Sages in that generation did not know whether it was a type of beast [chaya] or a type of animal [behema].7Among kosher animals, there are two distinct groups: cattle, referred to as behemot, and animals that are not normally domesticated, referred to as chayot. There are certain halakhik distinctions between them. The Sages did not know which category the tahash belonged to. It had a single horn on its forehead, and it was made available to Moses for that occasion. The Tabernacle was crafted of it, and it was hidden. From the fact that it says: It had one horn on its forehead, we learn from this that it was pure.8Shabbat 28b. “And the screen for the entrance of the Tent of Meeting,” just as it says: “You shall craft a screen for the entrance [of the Tent]” (Exodus 26:36).
“And the hangings of the courtyard, and the screen for the entrance of the gate of the courtyard that is by the Tabernacle, and by the altar, all around, and their cords, and all the instruments of their service, and everything that shall be crafted for them, and they shall serve” (Numbers 4:26).
“And the hangings of the courtyard,” these are the hangings that they positioned around the courtyard, just as it says: “You shall make the courtyard…likewise, on the north side…the width of the courtyard…fifteen cubits of hangings…and on the second side…” (Exodus 27:9, 11–12, 14–15).
“And the screen for the entrance of the gate,” just as it says: “For the gate of the courtyard [a screen]…” (Exodus 27:16).
“That is by the Tabernacle, and by the altar, all around.” It is taught: The altar of the burnt offering, its length is five cubits, its width is five cubits, and its height is three cubits, as it is stated: “You shall craft the altar […five cubits length and five cubits width, the altar shall be square, and three cubits its height]” (Exodus 27:1). “[And he crafted] the altar of the burnt offering…[its length was five cubits and its width five cubits square and its height was three cubits]” (Exodus 38:1), this is the statement of Rabbi Meir.9Rabbi Meir's position is that the verses giving the measurements of the altar should be understood literally. Rabbi Yosei said to him: From the fact that it is stated: “Five cubits length and five cubits width,” do I not know that it is square? Why does the verse state: “Shall be square”? Rather, it is stated in order to derive a verbal analogy from it. Here “square” is stated and elsewhere10Regarding the golden altar (Exodus 30:3). “square” is stated. Just as “square” stated elsewhere, its height is twice its width, here, too, its height is twice its width. Rabbi Meir said to him: ‘If as you say, the result is that the altar is five cubits higher than the courtyard hangings.’11The altar is ten cubits high while the courtyard hangings are five cubits high (see Exodus 27:18). Rabbi Yosei said to him: ‘But is it not already stated: “And the hangings of the courtyard, [and the screen for the entrance of the gate of the courtyard that is by the Tabernacle, and by the altar]”? (Numbers 4:26). Just as the Tabernacle is ten cubits, so the altar is ten cubits.’12The phrase: “That is by the Tabernacle, and by the altar” is extraneous. It juxtaposes the Tabernacle and the altar to teach us that just like the height of the Tabernacle was ten cubits, the height of the altar was also ten cubits.
“And their cords,” these cords, what would they do with them? They would fold the strips of fabric and the hangings, they would tie them with the cords, and they would place them in the wagons.
“And all the instruments of their service,” these are the golden hooks and the bronze hooks with which they would attach the strips of fabric.
“And everything that shall be crafted for them, and they shall serve.” Everything that was done for all the vessels, the sons of Gershon would tend to them.
“According to the directive of Aaron and his sons shall be all the service of the sons of the Gershonites, for all their burden, and for all their service; you shall assign them all their burden as a commission” (Numbers 4:27).
“According to the directive of Aaron and his sons shall be,” this is what they said, that the Holy One blessed be He accorded honor to the firstborn. Just as the service of the sons of Kehat was according to the directive of Aaron and his sons, just as it says: “Aaron and his sons shall come, and assign them, each man…” (Numbers 4:19), so, too, the service of the sons of Gershon was according to the directive of Aaron and his sons. But with regards to the sons of Merari, it is not written: “According to the directive of Aaron and his sons.”
“You shall assign them all their burden as a commission.” The verse includes Moses with them, so they13Moses, Aaron and his children. would command them [the Gershonites] to keep watch over everything that they [the Gershonites] bore.
“This is the service of the families of the sons of the Gershonites in the Tent of Meeting, and their commission is under the direction of Itamar son of Aaron the priest” (Numbers 4:28).
“This is the service of the families of the sons of the Gershonites…” Initially, Aaron and his sons and Moses with them assigned the sons of Gershon regarding their service, their burden, and their commission. From here on, their service and their commission is under the direction of Itamar son of Aaron the priest.
בְּנֵי מְרָרִי לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם (במדבר ד, כט), בִּבְנֵי קְהָת וּבְנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן נֶאֱמַר בָּהֶן נְשִׂיאוּת רֹאשׁ, שֶׁחָלַק לָהֶם הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא כָּבוֹד, לִקְהָת בַּעֲבוּר כְּבוֹד הָאָרוֹן, וּלְגֵרְשׁוֹן עַל שֶׁהָיָה בְּכוֹר, אֲבָל בִּבְנֵי מְרָרִי שֶׁלֹא הָיוּ אֶלָּא בְּנֵי פָּשׁוּט, וַעֲבוֹדַת מַשָֹּׂאָם לֹא הָיָה אֶלָּא קְרָשִׁים וּבְרִיחִים וְעַמּוּדִים וַאֲדָנִים, לֹא נֶאֱמַר בָּהֶם: נָשׂא אֶת רֹאשׁ. (במדבר ד, כט): לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם תִּפְקֹד אֹתָם, לָמָּה נֶאֱמַר בִּבְנֵי קְהָת וּבְנֵי מְרָרִי לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם, הִקְדִּים מִשְׁפְּחֹתָם לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם, וּבְגֵרְשׁוֹן הִקְדִּים לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם, וְאַחַר אָמַר: לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם. לְפִי שֶׁנְּשִׂיאוּת רֹאשׁ שֶׁל בְּנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן בָּאָה מִבֵּית אָב שֶׁלָּהֶם, אֲבָל נְשִׂיאוּת רֹאשׁ שֶׁל בְּנֵי קְהָת אֵינָהּ תְּלוּיָה בְּבֵית אָבוֹת שֶׁלָּהֶם כִּי אִם בִּנְשִׂיאַת הָאָרוֹן, וְכֵן בְּנֵי מְרָרִי לֹא הָיוּ כִּי אִם מִבֵּית אָב פָּשׁוּט, לְכָךְ הִקְדִּים מִשְׁפָּחוֹת לְבֵית אָבוֹת. (במדבר ד, לא): וְזֹאת מִשְׁמֶרֶת מַשָֹּׂאָם וגו', זֹאת וְלֹא אַחֶרֶת, מְלַמֵּד שֶׁבְּנֵי מְרָרִי אֲסוּרִין לִשְׁמֹר וְלַעֲבֹד מַה שֶּׁבְּנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן שׁוֹמְרִים וְנוֹשְׂאִים וְעוֹבְדִים. (במדבר ד, לא): קַרְשֵׁי הַמִּשְׁכָּן, אֵלּוּ אַרְבָּעִים וּשְׁמוֹנֶה קְרָשִׁים שֶׁל מִשְׁכָּן, (במדבר ד, לא): וּבְרִיחָיו, אֵלּוּ חֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר בְּרִיחִים וְהַבְּרִיחַ הַתִּיכוֹן, (במדבר ד, לא): וְעַמּוּדָיו, אֵלּוּ אַרְבָּעָה עַמּוּדֵי שִׁטִּים שֶׁפּוֹרְסִים עֲלֵיהֶם הַפָּרֹכֶת, וַחֲמִשָּׁה עַמּוּדֵי שִׁטִּים שֶׁפּוֹרְסִים עֲלֵיהֶם הַמָּסָךְ שֶׁל פֶּתַח הָאֹהֶל, (במדבר ד, לא): וַאֲדָנָיו, אֵלּוּ אַדְנֵי הַקְּרָשִׁים וְאַדְנֵי הָעַמּוּדִים שֶׁהָיוּ מֵאָה וַחֲמִשָּׁה אֲדָנִים, (במדבר ד, לב): וְעַמּוּדֵי הֶחָצֵר סָבִיב, אֵלּוּ חֲמִשִּׁים וְשִׁשָּׁה עַמּוּדִים שֶׁהָיוּ עוֹמְדִים סְבִיב הֶחָצֵר שֶׁעֲלֵיהֶם פּוֹרְסִים הַקְּלָעִים, (במדבר ד, לב): וְאַדְנֵיהֶם, אֵלּוּ חֲמִשִּׁים וְשִׁשָּׁה אֲדָנִים שֶׁבָּהֶם הָיוּ מַעֲמִידִין הָעַמּוּדִין וְאַרְבָּעָה עַמּוּדִים וְאַרְבָּעָה אֲדָנִים שֶׁהָיוּ פּוֹרְסִין עֲלֵיהֶם מָסַךְ שַׁעַר הֶחָצֵר, (במדבר ד, לב): וִיתֵדֹתָם, אֵלּוּ יִתְדוֹת הַמִּשְׁכָּן וְיִתְדוֹת הֶחָצֵר שֶׁל נְחשֶׁת שֶׁהָיוּ נוֹעֲצִים בָּאָרֶץ סָבִיב שֶׁלֹא יַפִּיל הָרוּחַ לַקְּלָעִים, (במדבר ד, לב): וּמֵיתְרֵיהֶם לְכָל כְּלֵיהֶם וּלְכֹל עֲבֹדָתָם, שֶׁבָּהֶם הָיוּ מַעֲמִידִים הַקְּלָעִים עִם הַיְתֵדוֹת וּבָהֶם אוֹסְרִים הָעַמּוּדִים וְהַבְּרִיחִים וְטוֹעֲנִים עַל הָעֲגָלוֹת שֶׁלֹא יִפְּלוּ לָאָרֶץ, אֲבָל לַקְּרָשִׁים הָיוּ עוֹשִׂים אֲטַבֵּי שֶׁל בַּרְזֶל שֶׁבָּהֶם מַחֲזִיקִים הַקְּרָשִׁים שֶׁלֹא יִפְּלוּ מֵעַל הָעֲגָלוֹת. (במדבר ד, לב): וּבְשֵׁמֹת תִּפְקְדוּ אֶת כְּלֵי מִשְׁמֶרֶת מַשָֹּׂאָם, הִזְהִירָם הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא שֶׁיִּהְיוּ מַפְקִידִים כָּל הַלְוִיִּם אִישׁ אִישׁ עַל עֲבוֹדָתוֹ וְעַל מַשָֹּׂאוֹ, כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹא יָבוֹאוּ לִידֵי מַחְלֹקֶת, וְכָךְ הָיוּ עוֹשִׂין אִישׁ פְּלוֹנִי לֵוִי יִטְעֹן קְרָשִׁים, אִישׁ פְּלוֹנִי לֵוִי יִטְעֹן בְּרִיחִים, אִישׁ פְּלוֹנִי לֵוִי יִטְעֹן עַמּוּדִים, וְכֵן כָּל כְּלִי וָכֶלִי. (במדבר ד, לג): זֹאת עֲבֹדַת מִשְׁפְּחֹת בְּנֵי מְרָרִי וגו', בְּנֵי מְרָרִי, עַל שֶׁלֹא הָיָה נְשִׂיאָתָם מִבֵּית אָב שֶׁלָּהֶם, לְכָךְ לֹא נֶאֱמַר: עַל פִּי אַהֲרֹן וּבָנָיו תִּהְיֶה, כְּשֵׁם שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר בִּבְנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן (במדבר ד, כז): אֶלָּא כָּל מַעֲשֵׂיהֶם הָיְתָה בְּיַד אִיתָמָר, מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהָיָה אִיתָמָר נוֹטֵל כָּל הַכֵּלִים וְנוֹתְנָם לִבְנֵי מְרָרִי וְכֵן לִבְנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן וְהָיָה מַעֲמִידָם עַל עֲבוֹדָתָם וְעַל מִשְׁמַרְתָּם.
“The sons of Merari, by their families, by their patrilineal house, you shall count them” (Numbers 4:29).
“The sons of Merari, by their families.” With regard to the sons of Kehat and the sons of Gershon, census [nesiut rosh]14Literally, raising the head. is stated, as the Holy One blessed be He accorded them honor; for Kehat, in deference to the Ark, and for Gershon, because he was firstborn. But the sons of Merari, who were only sons of a later born [son], and the labor of their burden was only beams, bars, pillars, and sockets, “take a census [naso et rosh]” is not stated.
“By their families, by their patrilineal house you shall count them.” Why is it stated regarding the sons of Kehat and the sons of Merari: “By their families, by their patrilineal house,” it placed “their families” before “by their patrilineal house,” and regarding Gershon, it placed “by their patrilineal house” first? It is because the nesiut rosh of the sons of Gershon comes from their patrilineal house, but the nesiut rosh of the sons of Kehat is not dependent on their patrilineal house, but rather, on their bearing of the Ark. Likewise, the sons of Merari were from a patrilineal family descended from a later born son. That is why it placed families before patrilineal house.
“This is the commission of their burden, for all their service in the Tent of Meeting: The beams of the Tabernacle, its bars, its pillars, and its sockets” (Numbers 4:31).
“This is the commission of their burden,” this and none other; it teaches that it is prohibited for the sons of Merari to guard and work what the sons of Gershon guard and bear and work.
“The beams of the Tabernacle,” these are the forty-eight Tabernacle beams. “Its bars,” these are the fifteen bars and the middle bar. “Its pillars,” these are the four pillars of acacia wood upon which they spread the curtain and the five pillars of acacia wood upon which they spread the screen of the entrance to the Tent. “And its sockets,” these are the sockets of the beams and the sockets of the pillars, which were one hundred and five sockets.
“The pillars of the courtyard all around, their sockets, their pegs, and their cords, with all their instruments and for all their service and by names you shall appoint the instruments of the commission of their burden” (Numbers 4:32).
“The pillars of the courtyard all around,” these are the fifty-six pillars that stood surrounding the courtyard, upon which they would spread the hangings. “Their sockets,” these are the fifty-six sockets in which they would stand the pillars, and the four pillars and four sockets upon which they would spread the screen of the entrance to the courtyard. “Their pegs,” these are the pegs of the Tabernacle and the pegs of the courtyard, of bronze, which they would stick into the ground all around, so the wind would not cause the hangings to fall. “And their cords, with all their instruments and for all their service,” with which they would affix the hangings with the pegs, and with which they would tie the pillars and the bars and load them onto the wagons so they would not fall. But for the beams, they crafted iron clasps with which they would secure the beams so they would not fall from upon the wagons.
“And by names you shall appoint the instruments of the commission of their burden.” The Holy One blessed be He cautioned them that they should assign all of the Levites, each of them to his service and to his burden so they would not enter into dispute. This is what they would do: So and so will bear beams; so and so will bear bars; so and so will bear pillars, and likewise regarding each and every instrument.
“This is the service of the families of the sons of Merari, for all their service in the Tent of Meeting, under the direction of Itamar, son of Aaron the priest” (Numbers 4:33).
“This is the service of the families of the sons of Merari….” The sons of Merari, because their role in bearing was not from their patrilineal house,15Since Merari was not the firstborn, the role of the families of Merari role did not stem from the importance of the patrilineal house. that is the reason that it is not stated: “According to the directive of Aaron and his sons shall be” (Numbers 4:27), as it is stated regarding the sons of Gershon. Rather, all their actions were under the direction of Itamar. It teaches that Itamar would take all the vessels and give them to the sons of Merari, and likewise to the sons of Gershon, and he would assign each of them to his service and to his burden.
וַיִּפְקֹד משֶׁה וְאַהֲרֹן (במדבר ד, לד), מִיָּד עָשׂוּ משֶׁה וְאַהֲרֹן וּפָקְדוּ אֶת בְּנֵי הַקְּהָתִי תְּחִלָּה כְּשֵׁם שֶׁאָמַר לָהֶם הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, וּמִנַּיִן שֶׁאָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לִשְׁנֵיהֶם שֶׁיִּפְקְדוּ אוֹתָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (במדבר ד, א ב): וַיְדַבֵּר ה' אֶל משֶׁה וְאֶל אַהֲרֹן לֵאמֹר, נָשׂא אֶת רֹאשׁ בְּנֵי קְהָת. מִפְּנֵי מָה נֶאֱמַר דִּבּוּר בִּקְהָת וּבְגֵרְשׁוֹן מַה שֶׁלֹא נֶאֱמַר בִּמְרָרִי, כְּדֵי לַחְלֹק כָּבוֹד לְגֵרְשׁוֹן עַל שֶׁהָיָה בְּכוֹר וּלְהַקִּישׁוֹ לִקְהָת. לָמָּה לֹא נֶאֱמַר וְאֶל אַהֲרֹן, בְּדִבּוּר פָּרָשַׁת בְּנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן כְּשֵׁם שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר בְּפָרָשַׁת בְּנֵי קְהָת, לְפִי שֶׁאַהֲרֹן מְמֻעָט הוּא מִכָּל הַדִּבְּרוֹת שֶׁנֶּאֶמְרוּ לְמשֶׁה, שֶׁלֹא דִּבְּרָה שְׁכִינָה עִם אַהֲרֹן, וְלָמָּה יֵשׁ מְקוֹמוֹת הַרְבֵּה שֶׁכָּתַב בָּהֶן אַהֲרֹן, לֹא שֶׁהָיָה הַדִּבּוּר עִם אַהֲרֹן אֶלָּא כָּל פָּרָשָׁה שֶׁהָיָה אַהֲרֹן צָרִיךְ לָהּ כְּתִיב בָּהּ אַהֲרֹן לֵאמֹר, הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אָמַר לְמשֶׁה כְּדֵי שֶׁיֹּאמַר לְאַהֲרֹן, לְכָךְ נִכְתַּב אַהֲרֹן בְּדִבּוּר בְּנֵי קְהָת, לְפִי שֶׁכָּל מַשָֹּׂא בְּנֵי קְהָת וְכָל עֲבוֹדָתָם הָיוּ נוֹתְנִים לָהֶם אַהֲרֹן וּבָנָיו, שֶׁהֵם לֹא הָיוּ רַשָּׁאִין לִגַּע בָּאָרוֹן וּבְכָל הַכֵּלִים עַד שֶׁאַהֲרֹן וּבָנָיו הָיוּ מְכַסִּים אוֹתָם, כְּמָה דְתֵימָא (במדבר ד, טו): וְכִלָּה אַהֲרֹן וּבָנָיו לְכַסֹּת אֶת הַקֹּדֶשׁ וגו', לְכָךְ כְּתִיב בְּדִבּוּר פָּרָשַׁת בְּנֵי קְהָת אַהֲרֹן, שֶׁהוּא הָיָה מְצֻוֶּה עַל עֲבוֹדָתָם וְעַל מַשָֹּׂאָם, אֲבָל בִּבְנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן אֵין אַתְּ מוֹצֵא שֶׁיַּעֲשֶׂה שָׁם אַהֲרֹן כְּלוּם, אֶלָּא עַל פִּיו הָיוּ עוֹשִׂין בְּנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן כָּל מַה שֶּׁהָיוּ עוֹשִׂין, וּמַעֲשֵׂיהֶם בְּיַד אִיתָמָר, שֶׁהוּא הָיָה נוֹתֵן לְכָל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד עֲבוֹדָתוֹ וּמַשָֹּׂאוֹ, לְכָךְ לֹא נִכְתַּב אַהֲרֹן בְּדִבּוּר פָּרָשַׁת בְּנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן.
“Moses, Aaron, and the princes of the congregation counted the sons of the Kehatites by their families, and by their patrilineal house” (Numbers 4:34).
“Moses, Aaron…counted.” Immediately Moses and Aaron acted, and they counted the sons of the Kehatites first, just as the Holy One blessed be He said to them. From where is it derived that the Holy One blessed be He said to both of them to count them? It is as it is stated: “The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron saying: Take a census of the sons of Kehat” (Numbers 4:1–2).
Why is speech stated regarding Kehat and Gershon, but is not stated regarding Merari?16The verses contain direct speech by God to Moses and Aaron referring to two of the sons (Numbers 4:1-2, 21-22), but only an indirect reference for the third (Numbers 4:29). It is in order to accord honor to Gershon and to liken him to Kehat. Why is Aaron not stated in the speech regarding the sons of Gershon as it is stated regarding the sons of Kehat? It is because Aaron is excluded from all the speeches that were stated to Moses, as the Divine Presence did not speak with Aaron. Why, then, are there several places where Aaron is written? It is not that the speech was with Aaron, but rather, in every portion that relates to Aaron, “Aaron saying” is written. The Holy One blessed be He said to Moses, so that he would say to Aaron. This is why Aaron is written in the speech to the sons of Kehat. It is because every burden of the sons of Kehat and all their service was given to them by Aaron and his sons, as they were not permitted to touch the Ark and all the vessels until Aaron and his sons would cover them, just as it says: “Aaron and his sons shall conclude to cover the sacred [the Ark], [and all the sacred vessels…and then, the sons of Kehat shall come to bear…]” (Numbers 4:15). That is why Aaron is written in the speech regarding the sons of Kehat, as he is commanded regarding their service and their burden. But regarding the sons of Gershon, you do not find that Aaron did anything there; rather, it is under his direction the sons of Gershon would do everything that they do, and their actions were under the supervision of Itamar, as he would assign to each and every one of them his service and his burden. That is why Aaron is not written in the speech in the portion of the sons of Gershon.
וּנְשִׂיאֵי הָעֵדָה אֶת בְּנֵי הַקְּהָתִי וגו' (במדבר ד, לד), מַה צָּרִיךְ נְשִׂיאִים כָּאן, וַהֲלוֹא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לֹא אָמַר לוֹ לְמשֶׁה שֶׁיִּהְיוּ נְשִׂיאֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל עִמּוֹ בְּמִנְיַן הַלְּוִיִם, לָמָּה עָשָׂה כֵן, אֶלָּא כָּךְ אָמַר משֶׁה, אַחַר שֶׁהַנְּשִׂיאִים הָיוּ עִמִּי בְּמִנְיַן כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל, כְּמָה דְּתֵימָא (במדבר א, ד): וְאִתְּכֶם יִהְיוּ וגו', לֹא אֶעֱשֶׂה לָהֶם חֲלִישׁוּת דַּעַת וְאוֹלִיכֵם עִמִּי לְמִנְיַן הַלְוִיִּם, וּמִנַּיִן שֶׁכֵּן הוּא, אַתָּה מוֹצֵא אַחַר מִנְיַן יִשְׂרָאֵל כְּתִיב (במדבר א, מד): אֵלֶּה הַפְּקֻדִים אֲשֶׁר פָּקַד וגו', אֲבָל אַחַר מִנְיַן הַלְוִיִּם אֵין אַתְּ מוֹצֵא שֶׁיַּזְכִּיר שָׁם נְשִׂיאִים אֶלָּא (במדבר ד, לז) (במדבר ד, מא) (במדבר ד, מו): אֲשֶׁר פָּקַד משֶׁה וְאַהֲרֹן, לְלַמֶּדְךָ שֶׁנְּשִׂיאֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לֹא מָנוּ הַלְוִיִּם עַל פִּי הַדִּבּוּר, אֶלָּא משֶׁה הוֹלִיכָם עִמּוֹ כְּדֵי לַחְלֹק לָהֶם כָּבוֹד.
“And the princes of the congregation [counted] the sons of the Kehatites.” Why are the princes necessary here? Is it not so, that the Holy One blessed be He did not say to Moses that the princes of the congregation should be with him in the census of the Levites? Why did he do so? Rather, this is what Moses said: ‘Since the princes were with me in the census of all Israel, just as it says: “And with you shall be [a man for each tribe, each is the head of his patrilineal house]” (Numbers 1:4), I will not cause them anguish and I will take them with me for the census of the Levites.’
From where is it derived that this is so? You find that after the census of Israel it is written: “These are the counted, that [Moses and Aaron, and the princes of Israel] counted” (Numbers 1:44), but after the census of the Levites, you do not find that the princes are mentioned there, but rather, “whom Moses and Aaron counted” (Numbers 4:37). It is to teach you that the princes of Israel did not count the Levites at the directive of divine speech. But rather Moses took them with him in order to accord them honor.
מִבֶּן שְׁלשִׁים וגו' (במדבר ד, לה), מִכָּאן אָמְרוּ (משנה אבות ה-כא): בֶּן שְׁלשִׁים לַכֹּחַ. (במדבר ד, לו): וַיִּהְיוּ פְקֻדֵיהֶם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם וגו', זוֹ הִיא שֶׁאָמְרוּ שֶׁהָאָרוֹן הָיָה הוֹרֵג בִּבְנֵי קְהָת, שֶׁכְּשֶׁמְנָאָם מִבֶּן חֹדֶשׁ הָיוּ שְׁמוֹנַת אֲלָפִים וְשֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת, וּכְשֶׁמְּנָאָן מִבֶּן שְׁלשִׁים שָׁנָה לֹא נִמְצְאוּ שְׁלִישׁ. (במדבר ד, לז): אֵלֶּה פְקוּדֵי מִשְׁפְּחֹת הַקְּהָתִי וגו', זוֹ הִיא שֶׁאָמְרוּ שֶׁהַנְּשִׂיאִים לֹא מָנוּ עִמָּהֶם מִפִּי הַדִּבּוּר, שֶׁאֵין מַזְכִּיר כָּאן נְשִׂיאִים. (במדבר ד, לז): עַל פִּי ה' בְּיַד משֶׁה וְאַהֲרֹן, הֵם עָשׂוּ עַל פִּי ה' כְּשֵׁם שֶׁאָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְמשֶׁה שֶׁיִּמְנֶה אַהֲרֹן עִמּוֹ בִּבְנֵי קְהָת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (במדבר ד, א ב): וַיְדַבֵּר ה' אֶל משֶׁה וְאֶל אַהֲרֹן לֵאמֹר, נָשׂא אֶת רֹאשׁ וגו', לְכָךְ נֶאֱמַר בְּיַד משֶׁה, שֶׁמּשֶׁה אָמַר לְאַהֲרֹן, לְפִי שֶׁאַהֲרֹן נִתְמָעֵט מִכָּל הַדִּבְּרוֹת שֶׁבַּתּוֹרָה שֶׁנֶּאֶמְרוּ לְמשֶׁה.
“From thirty [years old and above]” (Numbers 4:35); from here they said: Thirty years old for strength (Mishna Avot 5:21).
“Their counted, by their families, was two thousand seven hundred and fifty” (Numbers 4:36).
“Their counted, by their families,” this is what they said, that the Ark would kill of the sons of Kehat, as when he counted them from one month old, they were eight thousand six hundred, but when he counted them from thirty years old, not even one third of them were found.
“These are the counted of the Kehatite families, all who served in the Tent of Meeting, whom Moses and Aaron counted according to the directive of the Lord at the hand of Moses” (Numbers 4:37).
“These are the counted of the Kehatite families,” this is what they said, that the princes did not count with them at the directive of the divine speech, as the princes are not mentioned here.
“According to the directive of the Lord at the hand of Moses,” they acted at the directive of the Lord, just as the Holy One blessed be He said to Moses that Aaron should count the sons of Kehat with him, as it is stated: “The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron saying: Take a census of [the sons of Kehat]” (Numbers 4:1–2). That is why it is stated: “At the hand of Moses,” as Moses said to Aaron, because Aaron was excluded from all the statements in the Torah that were stated to Moses.
וּפְקוּדֵי בְּנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן וגו' (במדבר ד, לח), כְּשֵׁם שֶׁמָּנָה לִבְנֵי קְהָת עַל פִּי ה' כָּךְ מָנָה לִבְנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן. (במדבר ד, לט): מִבֶּן שְׁלשִׁים שָׁנָה וגו', בְּאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד הָיוּ פְּסוּלִים מֵחֲמִשִּׁים שָׁנָה וּלְהַלָּן, אֲבָל מִשֶּׁנִּכְנְסוּ לְאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל לֹא הָיוּ נִפְסָלִים אֶלָּא בַּקּוֹל. (במדבר ד, מ): וַיִּהְיוּ פְּקֻדֵיהֶם וגו', זוֹ הִיא שֶׁאָמְרוּ שֶׁבְּנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן לְפִי שֶׁלֹא הָיוּ מִטּוֹעֲנֵי הָאָרוֹן לְפִיכָךְ לֹא חָסְרוּ מִמִּנְיַן הָרִאשׁוֹן שְׁנֵי שְׁלִישִׁים אֶלָּא הָיוּ מֵאָה וּשְׁלשִׁים יוֹתֵר מִשְּׁלִישׁ. (במדבר ד, מא): אֵלֶּה פְקוּדֵי מִשְׁפְּחוֹת וגו', לָמָּה לֹא נֶאֱמַר בְּמִנְיַן הַקְּהָתִים בְּנֵי קְהָת, וּכְתִיב בָּהֶן הַקְּהָתִי כְּשֵׁם שֶׁאָמוּר בִּבְנֵי גֵּרְשׁוֹן וּבְנֵי מְרָרִי, לְפִי שֶׁמִּנְיָנָם הָיָה לְשֵׁם טְעִינַת הָאָרוֹן צֵרַף הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא שְׁמוֹ עִמָּהֶם כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹא יִכְלוּ, ה"א בְּרֹאשׁוֹ וְיו"ד בְּסוֹפוֹ הֲרֵי יָ"הּ, לוֹמַר יָ"הּ יַצִּילֵם מִמִּיתָה, לְקַיֵּם מַה שֶּׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים לג, יט): לְהַצִּיל מִמָּוֶת נַפְשָׁם. (במדבר ד, לח): אֲשֶׁר פָּקַד משֶׁה וְאַהֲרֹן עַל פִּי ה', לָמָּה לֹא נֶאֱמַר בְּמִנְיַן בְּנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן בְּיַד משֶׁה, כְּשֵׁם שֶׁאָמוּר בְּמִנְיַן בְּנֵי קְהָת, לְפִי שֶׁבִּבְנֵי קְהָת אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְמשֶׁה שֶׁיִּמְנֶה אַהֲרֹן עִם משֶׁה, הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא הִזְכִּיר לְאַהֲרֹן בְּרֹאשׁ הַמִּנְיָן עַל דַּעַת כֵּן שֶׁיִּמְנֶה כָּל הַלְוִיִּם עִם משֶׁה, אֲבָל משֶׁה מִשֶּׁשָּׁמַע שֶׁבְּמִנְיַן בְּנֵי קְהָת הִזְכִּיר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְאַהֲרֹן וְלֹא הִזְכִּירוֹ עוֹד, לֹא בְּמִנְיַן בְּנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן וְלֹא בְּמִנְיַן בְּנֵי מְרָרִי, חָשַׁב משֶׁה בְּדַעְתּוֹ וְאָמַר לְכָךְ אָמַר לִי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא שֶׁיִּמְנֶה אַהֲרֹן עִמִּי לִבְנֵי קְהָת, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁעַל יָדוֹ נַעֲשֵׂית כָּל מַשָֹּׂאָם וְכָל עֲבוֹדָתָם, אֲבָל עֲבוֹדַת בְּנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן וּבְנֵי מְרָרִי שֶׁאֵינָהּ נַעֲשֵׂית עַל יָדוֹ, אֵינוֹ רוֹצֶה שֶׁיִּמְנֶה עִמִּי, לְכָךְ אָמַר לוֹ לְאַהֲרֹן שֶׁיִּמְנֶה בְּנֵי קְהָת עִמּוֹ בְּשֵׁם הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, וּלְכָךְ כְּתִיב בְּמִנְיַן בְּנֵי קְהָת (במדבר ד, לז): עַל פִּי ה' בְּיַד משֶׁה, אֲבָל כְּשֶׁבָּא לִמְנוֹת בְּנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן לֹא אָמַר לוֹ משֶׁה לְאַהֲרֹן בְּשֵׁם הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא שֶׁיִּמְנֶה בְּנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן עִמּוֹ, אֶלָּא חָלַק לוֹ כָּבוֹד, לְפִי שֶׁהָיָה אָחִיו הַגָּדוֹל וְהוֹלִיכוֹ עִמּוֹ וְצֵרְפוֹ עִמּוֹ לַמִּנְיָן, לְכָךְ לֹא נֶאֱמַר בְּיַד משֶׁה, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁבְּדַעְתּוֹ שֶׁל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא הָיָה שֶׁיִּמְנֶה אַהֲרֹן עִמּוֹ כָּל הַלְוִיִּם, וּלְדַעַת כֵּן הִזְכִּיר אַהֲרֹן בְּרֹאשׁ הַמִּנְיָן, לְפִי שֶׁלֹא אָמַר לוֹ משֶׁה לְאַהֲרֹן שֶׁיִּמְנֶה בְּנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן עִמּוֹ בְּשֵׁם הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא חִסֵּר כָּאן בְּיַד משֶׁה.
“And the counted of the sons of Gershon, by their families, and by their patrilineal house” (Numbers 4:38).
“And the counted of the sons of Gershon,” just as he counted the sons of Kehat at the directive of the Lord, so he counted the sons of Gershon.
“From thirty years old and above until fifty years old, everyone who enlisted for duty, for work in the Tent of Meeting” (Numbers 4:39).
“From thirty years old,” in the Tent of Meeting they were disqualified from fifty years and onward, but when they entered the Land of Israel, they were disqualified only on the basis of voice.17Only if their voices were not fit to join the Levites in their song in the Temple service.
“Their counted by their families, by their patrilineal house, were two thousand and six hundred and thirty” (Numbers 4:40).
“Their counted,” this is what they said, that the sons of Gershon, because they were not among the bearers of the Ark, that is why they were not lacking two-thirds from the first census, but rather, they were one hundred and thirty more than one-third.
“These are the counted of the families of the sons of Gershon, all who worked in the Tent of Meeting, whom Moses and Aaron counted according to the directive of the Lord” (Numbers 4:41).
“These are the counted of the families….” Why, in the census of the Kehatites, are “the sons of Kehat” not mentioned, just as it is stated regarding the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari, but “the Kehatite [haKehati]” is written? Because their census was for the purpose of bearing the Ark, the Holy One blessed be He appended His name to theirs, so they would not be eradicated; a heh at the beginning and a yod at the end. That is ya; so as to say that ya will deliver them from death, to realize what is stated: “To deliver them from death” (Psalms 33:19).
“Whom Moses and Aaron counted according to the directive of the Lord.” Why is it not stated in the census of the sons of Gershon “at the hand of Moses,” as it is stated in the census of the sons of Kehat? It is because regarding the sons of Kehat, the Holy One blessed be He said to Moses that Aaron should count with Moses. The Holy One blessed be He mentioned Aaron at the beginning of the census with the intent that he should count all the Levites with Moses. However, when Moses heard that the Holy One blessed be He mentioned Aaron in the census of the sons of Kehat but did not mention him subsequently, neither in the census of the sons of Gershon nor in the census of the sons of Merari, Moses thought to himself and said: ‘This is why the Holy One blessed be He said to me, that Aaron should count the sons of Kehat with me; it is because all their burden and all their service is performed under his direction. But the service of the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari, that are not performed under his direction, He does not want him to count with me.’ That is why he said to Aaron that he should count the sons of Kehat with him, in the name of the Holy One blessed be He, and that is why it is written in the census of the sons of Kehat: “According to the directive of the Lord at the hand of Moses” (Numbers 4:37). But when he came to count the sons of Gershon, Moses did not say to Aaron in the name of the Holy One blessed be He that he should count the sons of Gershon with him, but rather, he accorded him honor because he was his older brother, and took him with him and included him with him for the census. That is why “at the hand of Moses” is not stated. Even though it was the intent of the Holy One blessed be He that Aaron should count all the Levites with him, and it was with that intent that He mentioned Aaron at the beginning of the census, because Moses did not say to Aaron that he should count the sons of Gershon with him in the name of the Holy One blessed be He, he omitted here “at the hand of Moses.”
וּפְקוּדֵי מִשְׁפְּחֹת וגו' (במדבר ד, מב), מִפְּנֵי מָה נֶאֱמַר בִּבְנֵי מְרָרִי בְּמִנְיַן מִשְׁפְּחֹת וְלֹא בִּבְנֵי קְהָת וְלֹא בִּבְנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן, לְפִי שֶׁבְּנֵי מְרָרִי הָיוּ מְרֻבִּין לַעֲבוֹדָה, שֶׁהִרְבּוּ מִשְׁפָּחוֹת, שֶׁהָיוּ שֵׁשֶּׁת אֲלָפִים וּשְׁתֵּי מֵאוֹת, נִתְרַבּוּ מִבֶּן שְׁלשִׁים מֵאָה יוֹתֵר עַל מֶחֱצָה מִבֶּן חֹדֶשׁ, שֶׁכֵּן אַתְּ מוֹצֵא מִבֶּן חֹדֶשׁ עָלָה מִסְפָּרָם שֵׁשֶּׁת אֲלָפִים וּשְׁתֵּי מֵאוֹת, וּמִבֶּן שְׁלשִׁים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה עָלָה מִסְפָּרָם שְׁלשֶׁת אֲלָפִים וּמָאתַיִם, מֵאָה יוֹתֵר מִמַּחֲצִית. אֲבָל בִּבְנֵי קְהָת לֹא נֶאֱמַר מִשְׁפְּחוֹת בְּנֵי קְהָת, שֶׁמִּבֶּן שְׁלשִׁים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה לֹא נִמְצְאוּ שְׁלִישׁ מֵאוֹתָן שֶׁנִּסְפְּרוּ מִבֶּן חֹדֶשׁ וָמַעְלָה, וְכֵן בִּבְנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן לֹא נֶאֱמַר וּפְקוּדֵי מִשְׁפְּחֹת, שֶׁאַף הֵם לֹא הִגִּיעוּ לַחֲצִי אוֹתָם שֶׁהָיוּ מִבֶּן שְׁלשִׁים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה, לְפִי שֶׁמִּבֶּן חֹדֶשׁ וָמַעְלָה הָיוּ שִׁבְעַת אֲלָפִים וַחֲמֵשׁ מֵאוֹת, וּמִבֶּן שְׁלשִׁים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה, לֹא הָיוּ כִּי אִם שְׁנֵי אֲלָפִים וְשֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת וּשְׁלשִׁים. (במדבר ד, מג): מִבֶּן שְׁלשִׁים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה וגו', מִבֶּן חֲמִשִּׁים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה הָיוּ פָּסוּל לַעֲמֹד בַּמִּשְׁכָּן לַעֲשׂוֹת עֲבוֹדָה, שֶׁלֹא הָיוּ יְכוֹלִים לוֹמַר שִׁירָה, אֲבָל מֵחֲמִשִּׁים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה חוֹזֵר הָיָה לִנְעִילַת שְׁעָרִים. (במדבר ד, מד): וַיִּהְיוּ פְקֻדֵיהֶם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם שְׁלשֶׁת אֲלָפִים וּמָאתָיִם, זוֹ הִיא שֶׁאָמְרוּ לְפִי שֶׁנִּתְרַבּוּ בְּאֻכְלוּסָא רְאוּיִן לַעֲבוֹדָה, נֶאֱמַר בָּהֶן מִשְׁפְּחֹת. (במדבר ד, מה): אֵלֶּה פְקוּדֵי מִשְׁפְּחֹת וגו', לָמָּה נֶאֱמַר בִּבְנֵי מְרָרִי בְּיַד משֶׁה, שֶׁבְּשָׁעָה שֶׁרָאָה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא שֶׁלֹא אָמַר לוֹ משֶׁה לְאַהֲרֹן בְּשֵׁם הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא שֶׁיִּמְנֶה בְּנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן, לְפִיכָךְ כְּשֶׁבָּא לִמְנוֹת בְּנֵי מְרָרִי אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְמשֶׁה לֵךְ אֱמֹר לוֹ לְאַהֲרֹן בִּשְׁמִי שֶׁיִּמְנֶה בְּנֵי מְרָרִי עִמּוֹ, לְכָךְ נֶאֱמַר: בְּיַד משֶׁה.
“And the counted of the families of the sons of Merari, by their families, by their patrilineal house” (Numbers 4:42).
“And the counted of the families.” Why are “families” stated in the census of the sons of Merari, but not regarding the sons of Kehat and not regarding the sons of Gershon? It is because the sons of Merari were numerous for service. They produced many families, as they were six thousand two hundred, and they increased from thirty years old, one hundred more than half [the number] of [those from age] one month old [to thirty], as you find that from one month old, their number totaled six thousand two hundred, and from thirty years old, their number totaled three thousand two hundred, one hundred more than half.18Those over thirty years of age were more than fifty percent of the total number from one month old and up. But regarding the sons of Kehat, the “families of the sons of Kehat” is not stated, as from thirty years old, not even one-third of those counted from one month old were found. Likewise, “and the counted of the families” was not stated regarding the sons of Gershon, as they, too, those who were from thirty years old did not reach half, as from one month old, they were seven thousand five hundred, and from thirty years old, they were only two thousand six hundred and thirty.
“From thirty years old and above until fifty years old, everyone who enlisted for duty, for work in the Tent of Meeting” (Numbers 4:43).
“From thirty years old and above until fifty years old,” from fifty years old and above, they were disqualified from standing in the Tabernacle and performing service, because they were incapable of reciting song, however, from fifty years old and above, they could return for the locking of gates.
“Their counted by their families were three thousand and two hundred” (Numbers 4:44).
“Their counted by their families were three thousand and two hundred.” This is what they said: Because they were a large population fit to perform service, “families” is stated in their regard.
“These are the counted of the families of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron counted according to the directive of the Lord at the hand of Moses” (Numbers 4:45).
“These are the counted of the families.” Why is “at the hand of Moses” stated regarding the sons of Merari? Because the Holy One blessed be He saw that Moses did not say to Aaron in the name of the Holy One blessed be He that he should count the sons of Gershon, therefore when he came to count the sons of Merari, the Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: ‘Go and say to Aaron, in My name, that he should count the sons of Merari with him.’ That is why “at the hand of Moses” is stated.
כָּל הַפְּקֻדִים אֲשֶׁר פָּקַד משֶׁה וגו' (במדבר ד, מו), מֵאַחַר שֶׁחָשַׁב הַלְוִיִּם מִשְׁפַּחַת בְּנֵי קְהָת לְבַד וּמִשְׁפַּחַת בְּנֵי גֵּרְשׁוֹן לְבַד וּמִשְׁפַּחַת בְּנֵי מְרָרִי לְבַד, חָזַר וְכָלַל מִנְיָנָם בְּיַחַד, לְהַגִּיד שֶׁכֻּלָּם שְׁקוּלִים לִפְנֵי הַמָּקוֹם בַּחִבָּה. (במדבר ד, מז): מִבֶּן שְׁלשִׁים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה וְעַד בֶּן חֲמִשִּׁים שָׁנָה כָּל הַבָּא לַעֲבֹד עֲבֹדַת עֲבֹדָה וַעֲבֹדַת וגו', תָּנֵי הַשִּׁיר מְעַכֵּב אֶת הַקָּרְבָּן דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר. וַחֲכָמִים אוֹמְרִים אֵינוֹ מְעַכֵּב. אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר טַעֲמֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי מֵאִיר מֵהַאי קְרָא (במדבר ח, יט): וָאֶתְּנָה אֶת הַלְוִיִּם נְתֻנִים וגו' לְכַפֵּר עַל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וגו', מַה כַּפָּרָה מְעַכֶּבֶת אַף שִׁירָה מְעַכֶּבֶת. וְרַבָּנָן מוֹקְמִין מֵהַאי קְרָא מַה כַּפָּרָה בַּיּוֹם אַף שִׁירָה בַּיּוֹם. אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוּדָה בְּשֵׁם שְׁמוּאֵל מִנַּיִן לְעִקַּר שִׁירָה מִן הַתּוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים יח, ז): וְשֵׁרֵת בְּשֵׁם ה', אֵיזֶהוּ שֵׁרוּת שֶׁבְּשֵׁם ה', הֱוֵי אוֹמֵר זוֹ שִׁירָה. רַבִּי יִצְחָק אָמַר מֵהָכָא (תהלים פא, ג): שְׂאוּ זִמְרָה וּתְנוּ תֹף כִּנּוֹר נָעִים עִם נָבֶל. רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק אָמַר מֵהָכָא (ישעיה כד, יד): הֵמָּה יִשְׂאוּ קוֹלָם יָרֹנּוּ בִּגְאוֹן ה' וגו'. תָּנֵי (במדבר ז, ט): וְלִבְנֵי קְהָת לֹא נָתָן כִּי עֲבֹדַת הַקֹּדֶשׁ עֲלֵיהֶם בַּכָּתֵף יִשָֹּׂאוּ, מִמַּשְׁמַע שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר בַּכָּתֵף, אֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ שֶׁיִּשָֹּׂאוּ, מַה תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר יִשָֹּׂאוּ, אֵין יִשָֹּׂאוּ אֶלָּא לְשׁוֹן שִׁירָה, וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר: שְׂאוּ זִמְרָה וּתְנוּ תֹף וגו', וְאוֹמֵר: יִשְׂאוּ קוֹלָם יָרֹנּוּ. חֲנַנְיָה בֶּן אַחִי רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אָמַר מֵהָכָא (שמות יט, יט): משֶׁה יְדַבֵּר וְהָאֱלֹהִים יַעֲנֶנּוּ בְקוֹל, עַל עִסְקֵי קוֹל. רַבִּי אַסָּא אָמַר מֵהָכָא (דברי הימים ב ה, יג): וַיְהִי כְאֶחָד לַמְחַצְּרִים וְלַמְשֹׁרְרִים לְהַשְׁמִיעַ קוֹל אֶחָד. רַבִּי יוֹנָתָן אָמַר מֵהָכָא (במדבר יח, ג): וְלֹא יָמֻתוּ גַּם הֵם גַם אַתֶּם, מָה אַתֶּם בַּעֲבוֹדַת מִזְבֵּחַ אַף הֵם בַּעֲבוֹדַת מִזְבֵּחַ. רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר מֵהָכָא (במדבר ד, מז): לַעֲבֹד עֲבֹדַת עֲבֹדָה, אֵיזוֹ הִיא עֲבוֹדָה שֶׁצְּרִיכָה עֲבוֹדָה, הֱוֵי אוֹמֵר זוֹ שִׁירָה.
All the counted, whom Moses and Aaron and the princes of Israel counted, of the Levites, by their families, and by their patrilineal house” (Numbers 3:46).
“All the counted, whom Moses [and Aaron and the princes of Israel] counted….” After calculating the family of the sons of Kehat alone, and the family of the sons of Gershon alone, and the family of the sons of Merari alone, it then included their totals together, to declare that they are all equal before the Holy One blessed be He in terms of affection.
“From thirty years old and above until fifty years old, everyone who came to perform the service of work, and the service of bearing in the Tent of Meeting” (Numbers 4:47).
“From thirty years old and above until fifty years old, everyone who came to perform the service of work, and the service [of bearing [avodat masa] in the Tent of Meeting].” It is taught: Lack of song invalidates the offering; this is the statement of Rabbi Meir. The Rabbis say: It does not invalidate. Rabbi Elazar said: Rabbi Meir’s source is from this verse: “I have given the Levites, given [to Aaron and to his sons…to perform the service of the children of Israel in the Tent of Meeting], and to atone for the children of Israel…” (Numbers 8:19); just as lack of atonement19One who fails to sprinkle the blood of the offering. disqualifies, so, too, lack of song disqualifies. The Rabbis establish from that verse: Just as atonement is during the day, so, too, song is during the day.
Rabbi Yehuda said in the name of Shmuel: From where in the Torah is the requirement of song derived? The verse states: “He shall serve in the name of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 18:7). What is the service that includes the name of the Lord? That is song. Rabbi Naḥman bar Yitzḥak said: From here: “Take up [se’u] song, sound the timbrel; a pleasing lyre with a harp” (Psalms 81:3).20Rabbi Yitzḥak interprets avodat masa as referring to song. Se'u can mean lift up something, and it can mean lift up a voice. Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak said: “They will raise [yisu] their voices, they will sing, for the majesty of the Lord…” (Isaiah 24:14). It is taught: “But to the sons of Kehat he did not give, because the sacred service is upon them; they shall bear [yisa’u] on the shoulder” (Numbers 7:9). From the fact that it is stated: “On the shoulder,” do I not know that “they shall bear [yisa’u]”? Why does the verse state: “Yisa’u”? Yisa’u is nothing other than an expression of song. Likewise it says: “Take up [se’u] song, sound the timbrel…,” and it says: “They will raise [yisu] their voices, they will sing.” Ḥananya, the son of Rabbi Yehoshua’s brother said: From here:21This is another source for the requirement of song. “Moses would speak and God would answer him with a voice” (Exodus 19:19), regarding matters of voice. Rabbi Asa said: From here: “It was when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to sound one voice” (II Chronicles 5:13).22The priestly trumpeters are mentioned in the Torah, and here they are juxtaposed with the singing Levites. Rabbi Yonatan said: From here: “Neither you nor they will die” (Numbers 18:3); just as you23Priests. are involved in the altar service, so too, they are involved in the altar service. Rabbi Yoḥanan said: From here: “To perform the service of work [avodat avoda]” (Numbers 4:47); what is the service [avoda] that requires another service [avoda]? That is song.24Song is sung as an accompaniment to the pouring of the libation of a sacrifice. Thus, it is a service [avoda] which is only performed in conjunction with another service [avoda].
וַיִּהְיוּ פְּקֻדֵיהֶם שְׁמֹנַת אֲלָפִים וַחֲמֵשׁ מֵאוֹת וּשְׁמֹנִים (במדבר ד, מח), זוֹ הִיא שֶׁאָמְרוּ מְנָאָם בִּפְרַט מְנָאָם בִּכְלַל, כְּאָדָם שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ חֲפָצִים נָאִים וּמְשֻׁבָּחִין וַחֲבִיבִין עָלָיו בְּיוֹתֵר, מוֹנֶה אוֹתָם בִּפְרָט וְחוֹזֵר וּמוֹנֶה אוֹתָם בִּכְלָל, מִתּוֹךְ שֶׁשָֹּׂמֵחַ בְּרִבּוּי מִנְיָנָם, כֵּן צִוָּה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לִכְתֹּב מִנְיַן הַלְוִיִּם בִּפְרָט וּכְלָל, לְפִי שֶׁהָיוּ בְּנֵי בֵיתוֹ וּכְשֵׁרִים וַחֲבִיבִים עָלָיו בְּיוֹתֵר. (במדבר ד, מט): עַל פִּי ה' פָּקַד אוֹתָם בְּיַד משֶׁה, הֲרֵי זֶה אָמוּר כְּנֶגֶד בְּנֵי קְהָת שֶׁאַהֲרֹן מְנָאָם לִבְנֵי קְהָת וְאָמַר פְּלוֹנִי וּפְלוֹנִי יִשְׂאוּ אֶת הָאָרוֹן, פְּלוֹנִי וּפְלוֹנִי יִשְׂאוּ אֶת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, וְכֵן כָּל כְּלֵי קֹדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים, כְּשֵׁם שֶׁאָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְמשֶׁה שֶׁיַּעֲשֶׂה אַהֲרֹן, כֵּן עָשָׂה אַהֲרֹן, הֱוֵי: בְּיַד משֶׁה. וּמִנַּיִן אַתָּה אוֹמֵר שֶׁבַּעֲבוֹדַת בְּנֵי קְהָת הַכָּתוּב מְדַבֵּר, שֶׁכֵּן כְּתִיב (במדבר ד, מט): אִישׁ אִישׁ עַל עֲבֹדָתוֹ וְעַל מַשָֹּׂאוֹ. וְכֵן אָמוּר בִּבְנֵי קְהָת, (במדבר ד, יט): אַהֲרֹן וּבָנָיו יָבֹאוּ וְשָׂמוּ אוֹתָם אִישׁ אִישׁ עַל עֲבֹדָתוֹ וְאֶל מַשָֹּׂאוֹ. (במדבר ד, מט): וּפְקֻדָיו אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה ה' אֶת משֶׁה, הֲרֵי זֶה אָמוּר כְּנֶגֶד בְּנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן וּבְנֵי מְרָרִי שֶׁצִּוָּה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְמשֶׁה שֶׁעַל פִּיו תִּהְיֶה עֲבוֹדָתָם עִם אָחִיו אַהֲרֹן. בִּבְנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן כְּתִיב (במדבר ד, כז): וּפְקַדְתֶּם עֲלֵהֶם בְּמִשְׁמֶרֶת אֵת כָּל מַשָֹּׂאָם, הֲרֵי משֶׁה עִמָּהֶם, וּבִבְנֵי מְרָרִי כְּתִיב (במדבר ד, לב): וּבְשֵׁמֹת תִּפְקְדוּ אֶת כְּלֵי מִשְׁמֶרֶת מַשָֹּׂאָם, הֵבִיא משֶׁה, לְכָךְ כְּתִיב: וּפְקֻדָיו אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה ה' אֶת משֶׁה, שֶׁמָּנָה משֶׁה וְאָמַר פְּלוֹנִי וּפְלוֹנִי וּפְלוֹנִי שֶׁל בְּנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן יִשְׂאוּ אֶת הַיְרִיעוֹת, פְּלוֹנִי וּפְלוֹנִי וּפְלוֹנִי יִשְׂאוּ אֶת אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, וְכֵן כָּל כְּלֵי עֲבוֹדָתָם, מַשָֹּׂא שֶׁל בְּנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן הָיָה מְמַנֶּה לָהֶם בְּמִנְיָן, וְכֵן מָנָה משֶׁה וְאָמַר פְּלוֹנִי וּפְלוֹנִי וּפְלוֹנִי שֶׁל בְּנֵי מְרָרִי יִשְׂאוּ אֶת הַקְּרָשִׁים, פְּלוֹנִי וּפְלוֹנִי וּפְלוֹנִי שֶׁל בְּנֵי מְרָרִי יִשְׂאוּ אֶת הַבְּרִיחִים, וְכֵן עָשָׂה לְכָל כְּלֵי עֲבוֹדַת מַשָֹּׂא בְּנֵי מְרָרִי, שֶׁמִּנָּה אוֹתָם בְּמִנְיָן עַל עֲבוֹדָתָם, הֱוֵי: אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה ה' אֶת משֶׁה, שֶׁמּשֶׁה נִצְטַוָּה עַל שְׁתֵּי הַמִּשְׁפָּחוֹת הַלָּלוּ, בְּנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן וּבְנֵי מְרָרִי, שֶׁהוּא יְצַוֵּם הֵיאַךְ יִשְֹּׂאוּ וְהֵיאַךְ יִשְׁמְרוּ מַה שֶּׁתַּחַת יְדֵיהֶם, הֱוֵי: אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה ה' אֶת משֶׁה.
“Their counted were eight thousand and five hundred and eighty” (Numbers 4:48).
“Their counted were eight thousand and five hundred and eighty.” This is what they said: They counted them separately and they counted them together, like a person who has objects that are fine, excellent, and especially dear to him; he counts them separately and then counts them together, because he rejoices in their substantial number. So, the Holy One blessed be He commanded to write the number of the Levites separately and together, because they were members of His household, upright, and especially dear to him.
“According to the directive of the Lord he counted them, at the hand of Moses, each man to his service, and to his burden, and his count was as the Lord commanded Moses” (Numbers 4:49).
“According to the directive of the Lord he counted them, at the hand of Moses.” This is said in reference to the sons of Kehat, as Aaron counted the sons of Kehat and said: ‘So-and-so and so-and-so will bear the Ark, and so-and-so and so-and-so will bear the altar, and likewise all the vessels of the most sacred order.’ Just as the Holy One blessed be He commanded Moses that Aaron should perform, so Aaron performed. That is, “at the hand of Moses.” From where do you say that it is regarding the sons of Kehat that the verse is speaking? It is as it is written: “Each man to his service, and to his burden.” So it is written regarding the sons of Kehat: “Aaron and his sons shall come, and assign them, each man to his service and to his burden” (Numbers 4:19).
“And his count was as the Lord commanded Moses.” This is said in reference to the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari, as the Holy One blessed be He commanded that their service should be under his [Moses’] direction, with his brother Aaron. Regarding the sons of Gershon it is written: “You shall assign them all their burden as a commission” (Numbers 4:27), Moses was with them. Regarding the sons of Merari it is written: “And by names you shall appoint the instruments of the commission of their burden” (Numbers 4:32), it included Moses. That is why it is written: “And his count was as the Lord commanded Moses,” as Moses counted and said so-and-so, so-and-so, and so-and-so of the sons of Gershon will bear the woven strips of fabric. So-and-so, so-and-so, and so-and-so will bear the Tent of Meeting, and likewise regarding all the instruments of their service. He would assign the burden of the sons of Gershon by number. Likewise, Moses counted and said so-and-so, so-and-so, and so-and-so of the sons of Merari will bear the beams; so-and-so, so-and-so, and so-and-so of the sons of Merari will bear the bars; and likewise it was regarding all the instruments of the service of the burden of the sons of Merari; he would assign them by number to their service. That is, “as the Lord commanded Moses.” Moses was commanded regarding these two families, the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari, that he should command them how they should bear and how they should guard what is in their care. That is, “as the Lord commanded Moses.”