Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Numbers 2:15 mean when it mentions a count of 45,650 people?
A: Numbers 2:15 refers to the census count of the tribe of Gad, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, during their journey in the wilderness. According to Rashi, this count included men aged 20 and older who were fit for military service. The precise numbering reflects the importance of organization and accountability within the Israelite camp.
Q: Why was counting the tribes important in the Book of Numbers?
A: The counting of the tribes, as seen in Numbers 2:15, served multiple purposes. Rambam explains that it demonstrated G-d's love for the Jewish people, as one counts precious possessions. Additionally, it helped organize the camp for travel, warfare, and tribal responsibilities. The Talmud (Yoma 22b) also teaches that counting emphasizes the individual value of each person within the community.
Q: How does the numbering in Numbers 2:15 relate to the arrangement of the Israelite camp?
A: Numbers 2 describes how each tribe had a specific position around the Mishkan (Tabernacle). The tribe of Gad, with its 45,650 men (Numbers 2:15), camped to the south along with Reuven and Shimon. Rashi explains this arrangement followed divine instruction, creating an orderly structure that reflected spiritual and practical considerations for the nation's journey.
Q: What can we learn from the detailed numbers in the tribal census?
A: The precise count in verses like Numbers 2:15 teaches that every individual in Klal Yisrael (the community of Israel) matters. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 2:19) compares the census to a shepherd counting his flock with care. This reminds us that in Jewish tradition, each person has unique value and contributes to the collective mission of the Jewish people.
Context of the Verse
This verse appears in Bamidbar (Numbers) 1:41, as part of the census of the tribes of Israel in the wilderness. It specifically refers to the count of the tribe of Asher. The Torah meticulously records the numbers of each tribe to emphasize their individual and collective roles in Klal Yisrael.
Numerical Significance
The number 45,650 represents the male population of Asher aged 20 years and older, eligible for military service. Rashi notes that each tribe's count reflects its unique spiritual character. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 2:10) connects Asher's abundance (as hinted in Yaakov's blessing, "מאשר שמנה לחמו" – "From Asher, his bread shall be rich," Bereishit 49:20) to its sizable population.
Symbolism in the Count
Military Role and Spiritual Parallel
Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 7:1) explains that the census of military-age men underscores the importance of physical defense for Am Yisrael. The Sforno adds that each soldier's strength derived from his spiritual commitment, as the tribes camped around the Mishkan—symbolizing Torah as the source of their power.
Asher's Distinctiveness
The Kli Yakar highlights that Asher's count—neither the largest nor the smallest—reflects its balanced character, embodying both material prosperity (as per Yaakov's blessing) and Torah values, as Moshe later blesses them with "ברוך מבנים אשר" ("Blessed be Asher among sons," Devarim 33:24).