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Numbers 35:8 - Levites' cities: proportional tribal responsibility

Numbers 35:8 - במדבר 35:8

Hebrew Text

וְהֶעָרִים אֲשֶׁר תִּתְּנוּ מֵאֲחֻזַּת בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵאֵת הָרַב תַּרְבּוּ וּמֵאֵת הַמְעַט תַּמְעִיטוּ אִישׁ כְּפִי נַחֲלָתוֹ אֲשֶׁר יִנְחָלוּ יִתֵּן מֵעָרָיו לַלְוִיִּם׃

English Translation

And the cities which you shall give shall be of the possession of the children of Yisra᾽el: from them that have many you shall give many: and from them that have few you shall give few: every one shall give of the cities to the Levites according to his inheritance which he inherits.

Transliteration

Veha'arim asher titnu me'achuzat bnei-Yisra'el me'et harav tarbu ume'et ham'at tam'itu ish kefi nachalato asher yinchalu yiten me'arav laLevi'im.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהֶֽעָרִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֤ר תִּתְּנוּ֙ מֵאֲחֻזַּ֣ת בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מֵאֵ֤ת הָרַב֙ תַּרְבּ֔וּ וּמֵאֵ֥ת הַמְעַ֖ט תַּמְעִ֑יטוּ אִ֗ישׁ כְּפִ֤י נַחֲלָתוֹ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִנְחָ֔לוּ יִתֵּ֥ן מֵעָרָ֖יו לַלְוִיִּֽם׃ <span class="mam-spi-pe">{פ}</span><br>
וְהֶֽעָרִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֤ר תִּתְּנוּ֙ מֵאֲחֻזַּ֣ת בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מֵאֵ֤ת הָרַב֙ תַּרְבּ֔וּ וּמֵאֵ֥ת הַמְעַ֖ט תַּמְעִ֑יטוּ אִ֗ישׁ כְּפִ֤י נַחֲלָתוֹ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִנְחָ֔לוּ יִתֵּ֥ן מֵעָרָ֖יו לַלְוִיִּֽם׃ {פ}

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Parasha Commentary

Allocation of Cities to the Levites

The verse (Bamidbar 35:8) outlines the commandment to allocate cities to the Levites from the territories of the other tribes of Israel. This distribution was proportional—tribes with larger land holdings gave more cities, while those with smaller territories gave fewer.

Proportional Giving Based on Inheritance

Rashi explains that the phrase "מֵאֵת הָרַב תַּרְבּוּ וּמֵאֵת הַמְעַט תַּמְעִיטוּ" ("from them that have many you shall give many, and from them that have few you shall give few") emphasizes fairness in the allocation. The larger tribes (like Yehudah) had more land and thus contributed more Levitical cities, while smaller tribes (like Binyamin) contributed fewer.

Levitical Cities as a Divine Command

The Rambam (Hilchot Shemittah v'Yovel 13:2) teaches that these cities were not merely a human arrangement but a mitzvah d'oraita (Torah commandment). The Levites, who had no territorial inheritance (Bamidbar 18:20), were to receive these cities as their dwelling places, ensuring their role in teaching Torah and serving in the Mishkan (and later the Beit HaMikdash).

Midrashic Insight on Fairness

The Midrash Tanchuma (Bamidbar 12) highlights that this system prevented resentment—since each tribe gave according to its means, no tribe could claim unfair treatment. This principle of proportional giving is echoed in later halachic discussions about tzedakah (charity).

Practical Implications

The Talmud (Arachin 33b) elaborates on the details:

  • The cities had to be habitable, with open land (migrash) surrounding them for pasture.
  • They were strategically distributed so Levites could travel easily to the Mishkan/Beit HaMikdash.
  • Six of these cities also functioned as Arei Miklat (Cities of Refuge).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Arakhin 33b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the allocation of cities to the Levites, emphasizing the proportional distribution based on the size of each tribe's inheritance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Numbers 35:8 mean?
A: Numbers 35:8 instructs the Israelites to allocate cities to the Levites from their tribal lands. The verse specifies that larger tribes (with more land) should give more cities, while smaller tribes (with less land) should give fewer cities. This ensures fairness, as each tribe contributes proportionally to their inheritance. Rashi explains that this system prevented any tribe from bearing an unequal burden.
Q: Why were the Levites given cities instead of land?
A: The Levites were not given a territorial portion of land like the other tribes because their primary role was to serve in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and later the Beit HaMikdash (Temple). Instead, they received cities to live in, as well as pastureland for their livestock (Numbers 35:2-5). The Rambam (Hilchot Shemitta 13:12) explains that this arrangement allowed them to focus on their spiritual duties without the distractions of farming.
Q: How does this verse teach fairness in giving?
A: Numbers 35:8 teaches the principle of proportional giving—those with more resources give more, while those with fewer give less. The Talmud (Bava Batra 122a) discusses this concept in the context of communal obligations, emphasizing that fairness is key in distributing responsibilities. This idea applies today in tzedakah (charity), where one should give according to their means.
Q: What is the significance of the Levites living among the other tribes?
A: The Levites were dispersed among all the tribes to serve as spiritual guides and teachers of Torah (Devarim 33:10). The Midrash (Sifrei Bamidbar 35:8) notes that their presence ensured Torah knowledge would be accessible to all Israelites. This arrangement highlights the importance of spreading Torah wisdom throughout the nation.
Q: How many cities did the Levites receive in total?
A: The Levites received 48 cities in total, as stated later in Numbers 35:7. These included six 'cities of refuge' (where accidental killers could seek asylum) and 42 regular Levitical cities. The Talmud (Makkot 10a) elaborates on the laws governing these cities, showing their importance in both practical and spiritual life.