Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who were the sons of Kehat mentioned in Numbers 3:19?
A: The sons of Kehat were Amram, Yitzhar, Chevron, and Uziel. Kehat was one of the three main branches of the tribe of Levi, and his descendants had special responsibilities related to the Mishkan (Tabernacle), particularly carrying its most sacred vessels (Rashi on Numbers 3:31).
Q: Why is the family of Kehat important in the Torah?
A: The family of Kehat was important because they were Levites entrusted with transporting the holiest items of the Mishkan, including the Ark, Menorah, and Altars (Bamidbar Rabbah 6:2). Because of their sacred duty, they received special instructions about how to handle these items to avoid transgressing the sanctity.
Q: What can we learn from the listing of Kehat's sons in the Torah?
A: The detailed listing teaches us the importance of family lineage and roles in Jewish tradition. Each family had a specific role in serving Hashem, showing that every individual and family has a unique purpose in the divine plan (Rambam, Hilchot Klei HaMikdash 3:1-2).
Q: How does the role of the Kehatites apply to us today?
A: While we no longer have the Mishkan, the principle remains that every Jew has a unique role in serving Hashem. Just as the Kehatites had specific duties, we each have talents and responsibilities in Torah study, mitzvot, and community service (Talmud, Sanhedrin 17a).
Q: Why are the names of Kehat's sons repeated in different places in the Torah?
A: The repetition emphasizes their significance in Jewish history. Amram, for example, was the father of Moshe and Aharon, showing how this family line produced key leaders (Shemot 6:18-20). The Torah often repeats names to highlight their lasting impact (Midrash Tanchuma, Bamidbar 5).
Overview of the Verse
The verse (Numbers 3:19) lists the sons of Kehat, one of the three primary branches of the tribe of Levi. The names mentioned—Amram, Yitzhar, Chevron, and Uziel—represent the four main families descended from Kehat, who were responsible for specific duties in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and later the Beit HaMikdash (Temple).
Commentary from Rashi
Rashi explains that the phrase "לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם" (by their families) emphasizes that each son of Kehat established a distinct family line with unique responsibilities. He notes that Amram's descendants included Moshe and Aharon, who held leadership roles, while the other families had different sacred duties related to transporting the Mishkan's vessels.
Significance of the Names
Role in the Mishkan
According to the Rambam (Hilchot Klei HaMikdash 3:1-2), the sons of Kehat were entrusted with carrying the most sacred vessels of the Mishkan, including the Aron (Ark), Menorah, and Mizbeach (Altar). This required exceptional holiness, as described in Bamidbar 4:15, where they were warned not to touch the vessels directly.
Midrashic Insights
The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 3:14) teaches that each family of Kehat had a unique spiritual quality: Amram embodied humility, Yitzhar represented Torah scholarship, Chevron symbolized unity, and Uziel exemplified strength in divine service. These traits were essential for their roles in maintaining the sanctity of the Mishkan.