Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Numbers 26:50 mean?
A: Numbers 26:50 records the census count of the tribe of Naftali during the Israelites' journey in the wilderness. It states that Naftali's descendants were organized by families, totaling 45,400 men eligible for military service (ages 20 and up). This census was taken before entering the Land of Israel to determine tribal portions and military strength.
Q: Why is the tribe of Naftali mentioned in this census?
A: The Torah lists all twelve tribes in this census (Numbers 26) to show each tribe's size and importance in the nation. Naftali, as one of Jacob's sons, had a distinct role. Rashi explains that these counts also reflected G-d's love for the Jewish people, as He numbered them frequently like a treasured possession.
Q: How does the number 45,400 for Naftali compare to other tribes?
A: Naftali's count of 45,400 was smaller than tribes like Yehuda (76,500) but larger than others like Menashe (52,700). The Midrash notes that each tribe had unique qualities—Naftali was known for swiftness (Genesis 49:21) and later provided fertile land in Israel (Deuteronomy 33:23). The numbers reflect G-d's plan for each tribe's role.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the census of Naftali?
A: The census teaches that every individual and family counts in the Jewish nation. The Talmud (Bava Batra 121b) explains that each person has a unique purpose. Naftali's descendants, though fewer in number, contributed to the nation's spiritual and physical success—showing that quality matters as much as quantity.
Q: Why does the Torah list family lineages like Naftali's?
A: Listing lineages (like 'these are the families of Naftali') preserves Jewish identity and tribal heritage. Rambam (Hilchot Shemittah 10:8) explains that tribal affiliation affected land inheritance in Israel. Even today, knowing our roots connects us to Torah history and our ancestors' virtues.
Context in the Torah
The verse (Bamidbar 1:42) is part of the census of Bnei Yisrael in the wilderness, where each tribe's population is recorded. Naftali's count of 45,400 reflects the men of military age (20 years and older) from this tribe.
Rashi's Commentary
Rashi notes that the phrase "אֵלֶּה מִשְׁפְּחֹת נַפְתָּלִי" ("These are the families of Naftali") emphasizes that the census was conducted according to familial lineage, preserving the tribal structure. This aligns with the Torah's earlier command (Bamidbar 1:2) to count Bnei Yisrael "by their families, by their fathers' households."
Symbolism of the Number
The number 45,400 is significant in relation to other tribes. Naftali's population was smaller than tribes like Yehuda (74,600) but larger than others like Menashe (32,200). The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 2:8) suggests that each tribe's size reflected its spiritual role—Naftali, known for swiftness (as per Yaakov's blessing in Bereishit 49:21), had a balanced count suited to its mission.
Naftali's Role in the Wilderness
Rambam's Perspective
Rambam (Hilchot Kiddush HaChodesh 11:16) derives from such censuses that precise counting is essential for communal structure. The meticulous numbering of Naftali underscores the importance of every individual in Klal Yisrael.
Gematria Insight
The Baal HaTurim observes that the numerical value of "נַפְתָּלִי" (Naftali) is 570 (נ=50, פ=80, ת=400, ל=30, י=10), which, when added to the 45,400 count, hints at the tribe's future role in settling fertile land (as Naftali's territory in Eretz Yisrael was known for its abundance—Devarim 33:23).