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Numbers 3:20 - Levite lineage's sacred roles?

Numbers 3:20 - במדבר 3:20

Hebrew Text

וּבְנֵי מְרָרִי לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם מַחְלִי וּמוּשִׁי אֵלֶּה הֵם מִשְׁפְּחֹת הַלֵּוִי לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם׃

English Translation

And the sons of Merari by their families; Maĥli, and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to the house of their fathers.

Transliteration

Uvnei Merari lemishpechotam Machli uMushi ele hem mishpechot Halevi leveit avotam.

Hebrew Leining Text

וּבְנֵ֧י מְרָרִ֛י לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם מַחְלִ֣י וּמוּשִׁ֑י אֵ֥לֶּה הֵ֛ם מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת הַלֵּוִ֖י לְבֵ֥ית אֲבֹתָֽם׃
וּבְנֵ֧י מְרָרִ֛י לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם מַחְלִ֣י וּמוּשִׁ֑י אֵ֥לֶּה הֵ֛ם מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת הַלֵּוִ֖י לְבֵ֥ית אֲבֹתָֽם׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Sons of Merari and Their Families

The verse (Bamidbar 3:20) lists the sons of Merari, the youngest son of Levi, as Maḥli and Mushi, emphasizing their familial divisions within the Levitical structure. Rashi notes that this enumeration is part of the Torah's meticulous accounting of the Levite families, highlighting their designated roles in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) service. The Levites were divided into three primary families—Gershon, Kehat, and Merari—each with specific responsibilities.

Merari's Role in the Mishkan

According to the Talmud (Zevachim 54b), the family of Merari was entrusted with transporting the structural components of the Mishkan, such as the beams, sockets, and pillars. Rambam (Hilchot Klei HaMikdash 3:6) elaborates that their duties required physical strength, as these items were heavy and foundational to the Mishkan's assembly. The names Maḥli (from "maḥalah," meaning "sickness" or "weakness") and Mushi (from "moshe," meaning "to draw out") may allude to their resilience in overcoming challenges to fulfill their sacred tasks.

Symbolism of the Names

  • Maḥli: The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 3:12) suggests that the name reflects the humility required for divine service, as one must recognize their spiritual "weakness" before attaining true dedication.
  • Mushi: The name implies "extraction" or "elevation," symbolizing the Levites' role in elevating the physical materials of the Mishkan to holiness.

Legacy of the Merari Families

The verse concludes by stating, "These are the families of the Levites according to the house of their fathers", underscoring the importance of lineage in Jewish tradition. The Sforno explains that each family's unique contribution was essential for the collective service of the Levites, teaching that every individual's role in Klal Yisrael is indispensable. This principle extends to later generations, as the Merarites' descendants continued their ancestral duties in the Beit HaMikdash (Temple).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who were the sons of Merari mentioned in Numbers 3:20?
A: The sons of Merari were Maĥli and Mushi. They were part of the Levite family, one of the three main branches of the tribe of Levi (along with Kehat and Gershon). The Levites had special responsibilities in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and later in the Beit HaMikdash (Temple).
Q: Why is the family lineage of the Levites important in the Torah?
A: The Torah details the lineage of the Levites because they had unique roles in serving Hashem. The sons of Merari, like other Levites, were assigned specific duties related to transporting and maintaining parts of the Mishkan (Rashi on Numbers 3:20). Their family structure ensured that these sacred tasks were passed down properly.
Q: What was the role of the family of Merari in the Mishkan?
A: The family of Merari was responsible for carrying the structural parts of the Mishkan, such as the beams, sockets, and pillars (Bamidbar Rabbah 3:12). Their duties were crucial because the Mishkan could not be assembled without their work. This shows how every role in serving Hashem is important.
Q: How does the division of Levite families apply to Jewish life today?
A: Although we no longer have the Mishkan or Beit HaMikdash, the lesson remains that every Jew has a unique role in serving Hashem. Just as the sons of Merari had their specific tasks, each person today contributes to the community in their own way (Rambam, Hilchot Klei HaMikdash 3:1-2).