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Numbers 1:18 - Counting families with divine purpose?

Numbers 1:18 - במדבר 1:18

Hebrew Text

וְאֵת כָּל־הָעֵדָה הִקְהִילוּ בְּאֶחָד לַחֹדֶשׁ הַשֵּׁנִי וַיִּתְיַלְדוּ עַל־מִשְׁפְּחֹתָם לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם בְּמִסְפַּר שֵׁמוֹת מִבֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה לְגֻלְגְּלֹתָם׃

English Translation

and they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by the houses of their fathers, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls.

Transliteration

Ve'et kol-ha'edah hik'hilu be'echad lachodesh hasheni vayityaldu al-mishpechotam leveit avotam bemispar shemot miben esrim shanah vama'alah legulg'lotam.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאֵ֨ת כׇּל־הָעֵדָ֜ה הִקְהִ֗ילוּ בְּאֶחָד֙ לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשֵּׁנִ֔י וַיִּתְיַֽלְד֥וּ עַל־מִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם לְבֵ֣ית אֲבֹתָ֑ם בְּמִסְפַּ֣ר שֵׁמ֗וֹת מִבֶּ֨ן עֶשְׂרִ֥ים שָׁנָ֛ה וָמַ֖עְלָה לְגֻלְגְּלֹתָֽם׃
וְאֵ֨ת כׇּל־הָעֵדָ֜ה הִקְהִ֗ילוּ בְּאֶחָד֙ לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשֵּׁנִ֔י וַיִּתְיַֽלְד֥וּ עַל־מִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם לְבֵ֣ית אֲבֹתָ֑ם בְּמִסְפַּ֣ר שֵׁמ֗וֹת מִבֶּ֨ן עֶשְׂרִ֥ים שָׁנָ֛ה וָמַ֖עְלָה לְגֻלְגְּלֹתָֽם׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bamidbar 1:18) describes the assembly of Bnei Yisrael in the wilderness on the first day of the second month (Iyar) in the second year after the Exodus. Moshe and Aharon were commanded to conduct a census of the men eligible for military service, counting them by their families and ancestral houses.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi explains that the phrase "וַיִּתְיַלְדוּ עַל־מִשְׁפְּחֹתָם" ("they declared their pedigrees after their families") means each individual presented documentary evidence (such as family records or witnesses) to establish their lineage. This was crucial because tribal affiliation determined inheritance rights and military assignments.

Purpose of the Census

According to Rambam (Hilchot Melachim), the census served multiple purposes:

  • To organize Bnei Yisrael for their journey and eventual conquest of Eretz Yisrael.
  • To demonstrate Hashem's love for His people, as counting something shows its importance (Rashi on Bamidbar 1:1).
  • To prepare for the allocation of tribal portions in the Land of Israel.

Age Requirement: Twenty Years and Up

The Talmud (Chagigah 6a) notes that the age of twenty signifies maturity for divine service and responsibility. Ramban adds that this age was chosen because younger men lacked the physical strength for warfare and the spiritual fortitude to withstand the challenges of the wilderness.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 1:4) highlights that the census was conducted with dignity—each person was counted individually ("לְגֻלְגְּלֹתָם," "by their polls") to emphasize their unique value before Hashem. This echoes the counting of the stars (Bereishit 15:5), where each is named and cherished.

Significance of the Second Month

The Sforno explains that the census occurred in Iyar (the second month) because it followed the completion of the Mishkan in Nisan. The organizational structure of the camp—arranged by tribes around the Mishkan—reflected the centrality of divine worship in national life.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did the Israelites declare their pedigrees in Numbers 1:18?
A: According to Rashi, the Israelites declared their pedigrees (lineage) to establish their tribal identities and prove their pure Israelite descent. This was important for maintaining the structure of the tribes, inheritance rights, and eligibility for military service.
Q: What is the significance of counting people 'from twenty years old and upward' in this verse?
A: The Torah specifies counting men from age 20 because, as Rambam explains, this was the age when they were eligible for military service and communal responsibilities. The Talmud (Bava Batra 121b) also teaches that 20 marks the age of accountability for mitzvot and communal obligations.
Q: Why does the verse mention counting 'by their polls' (individually)?
A: The phrase 'by their polls' (לְגֻלְגְּלֹתָם) teaches that each person was counted individually with dignity, not just as a number. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 1:4) explains this shows every Jew has unique value in Hashem's eyes and contributes individually to the community.
Q: What lesson can we learn today from the census in Numbers 1:18?
A: The Seforno teaches that this census reminds us that every Jew counts - both literally and spiritually. Just as each person was important for the community's structure then, today every individual has a unique role in Klal Yisrael (the Jewish people). The emphasis on family lineage also teaches the importance of knowing and preserving our Jewish heritage.
Q: Why was the census conducted specifically on the first day of the second month (Iyar)?
A: Rashi explains that Hashem commanded this timing to give honor to the month of Nissan (when the Exodus occurred) by not conducting the census then. The Kli Yakar adds that Iyar was chosen because it's a month of healing (its name relates to 'light'), appropriate for establishing the orderly structure of the nation.