Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who was Achi'ezer ben Amishaddai mentioned in Numbers 1:12?
A: Achi'ezer ben Amishaddai was the leader of the tribe of Dan during the census in the wilderness, as recorded in Numbers 1. According to Rashi, he was chosen as a representative of his tribe, showing the importance of having strong leadership for each of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Q: Why is the tribe of Dan mentioned in Numbers 1:12?
A: The tribe of Dan is mentioned as part of the census taken in the wilderness to organize the Israelites for their journey and encampments. The Midrash teaches that each tribe had a unique role, and Dan was known for its large population and later became a tribe of judges and craftsmen (as seen in later biblical references).
Q: What can we learn from the listing of tribal leaders in Numbers 1:12?
A: The Torah lists each tribal leader to emphasize the importance of structure and leadership within the Jewish people. Rambam (Maimonides) teaches that proper leadership ensures unity and order, which were essential for the Israelites in the wilderness and remain important in Jewish communal life today.
Q: How does the name 'Achi'ezer ben Amishaddai' have significance?
A: Names in the Torah often carry meaning. 'Achi'ezer' means 'my brother is help,' and 'Amishaddai' can be interpreted as 'my kinsman is the Almighty.' Rashi and other commentators suggest that names reflect divine providence, showing that leaders were chosen with meaningful names to inspire the people.
Q: Why does the Torah list the fathers of the tribal leaders (like 'ben Amishaddai')?
A: Listing the fathers of leaders highlights lineage and tradition, which were crucial in Jewish leadership. The Talmud teaches that ancestry and merit play a role in leadership appointments, ensuring that leaders come from righteous families and uphold the values of their forefathers.
Introduction to the Verse
The verse "לְדָן אֲחִיעֶזֶר בֶּן־עַמִּישַׁדָּי" (Of Dan; Aĥi῾ezer the son of ῾Ammishadday) appears in Bamidbar (Numbers) 1:12 as part of the census of the Israelites in the wilderness. It identifies Aĥi῾ezer as the leader of the tribe of Dan. This verse is part of a larger list of tribal leaders appointed by Moshe and Aharon at Hashem's command.
Meaning of the Names
The names in this verse carry significant meaning, as is common in Tanach:
The Role of Aĥi῾ezer
As the leader of Dan, Aĥi῾ezer was responsible for representing his tribe in matters of governance, war, and spiritual leadership. The Ibn Ezra notes that the selection of leaders for each tribe was based on their wisdom, strength, and ability to guide their people. The tribe of Dan was known for its large numbers (as later seen in Bamidbar 2:31), and Aĥi῾ezer's leadership was crucial in maintaining order.
Symbolism of Dan's Position
In the encampment and marching order of the tribes, Dan was positioned at the rear (Bamidbar 2:25). The Kli Yakar explains that this placement was strategic—Dan was a strong and numerous tribe, capable of protecting the entire camp from behind. Aĥi῾ezer's leadership thus carried the responsibility of safeguarding the entire nation during their travels.
Lessons from the Verse