Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does the number 59,300 represent in Numbers 1:23?
A: In Numbers 1:23, the number 59,300 represents the count of men aged 20 and older from the tribe of Shimon (Simeon) who were eligible for military service. This census was taken in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt, as commanded by Hashem (Rashi on Numbers 1:2-3).
Q: Why was the tribe of Shimon counted separately in this verse?
A: Each tribe was counted separately to organize the Israelites for their journey in the wilderness, assign tribal roles, and prepare for military needs. The counting also showed Hashem's care for each individual and tribe (Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Melachim 4:1; Midrash Bamidbar Rabbah 1:7).
Q: Why is the census in Numbers important in Jewish tradition?
A: The census highlights the importance of every individual in the Jewish people. The Talmud (Bava Batra 10b) teaches that counting shows each person's value, as Hashem wanted to 'lift them up' with honor (Rashi on Numbers 1:1). It also established the structure of the tribes for their roles in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and future settlement in Israel.
Q: How does the tribe of Shimon's size compare to other tribes?
A: Shimon was the third smallest tribe in this census (Numbers 1:20-46). Later, in Numbers 26:14, their numbers decreased significantly due to a plague (Midrash Tanchuma, Balak 18 connects this to the incident with Baal Peor). This teaches that population shifts can reflect spiritual and historical events.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the detailed counting in the Torah?
A: The detailed counting teaches that every Jew matters to Hashem. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 2:19) compares it to a king counting his treasured coins. Just as each coin is valuable, every soul is precious. This idea applies today in valuing each person's unique role in the Jewish community.
Overview of the Verse
The verse (Bamidbar 1:23) records the census count of the tribe of Shimon as 59,300 men eligible for military service. This count was taken in the second year after the Exodus, as part of Moshe and Aharon's divinely commanded census of the Israelite tribes (Bamidbar 1:1-3).
Rashi's Commentary
Rashi notes that the tribe of Shimon was the third smallest tribe in this census (only Menashe and Binyamin were smaller). He connects this to the episode of Zimri (Bamidbar 25:14), where Shimon's numbers were further diminished due to the plague that followed their involvement in the sin at Baal Peor.
Numerical Significance
Midrashic Insights
The Midrash Tanchuma (Bamidbar 12) explains that each tribe's population reflected its spiritual state. Shimon's relatively smaller numbers indicated they needed special merit to maintain their position among the tribes.
Tribal Characteristics
Ramban observes that Shimon's territory was later embedded within Yehuda's portion (Yehoshua 19:1), suggesting their interdependence. This may relate to Yaakov's blessing (Bereishis 49:7) that Shimon would be scattered in Israel.
Military Implications
The Sforno notes that despite being one of the smaller tribes, Shimon's 59,300 warriors still represented a formidable force, demonstrating how each tribe contributed significantly to the collective strength of Israel.