Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Numbers 3:28 mean when it counts males from one month old?
A: Numbers 3:28 counts the male descendants of the family of Kehat (one of Levi's sons) from one month old and upward. According to Rashi, this count includes infants because the Levites were designated for holy service from birth, even if they couldn't yet perform duties. Their sanctity began early, setting them apart for future roles in the Mishkan (Tabernacle).
Q: Why were the Levites counted separately in Numbers 3:28?
A: The Levites were counted separately because they had a unique role in serving the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and assisting the Kohanim (priests). As Rambam explains, they were chosen instead of the firstborns after the sin of the Golden Calf. Their count emphasized their special status and responsibilities in maintaining the sanctity of the Mishkan.
Q: What is the significance of the number 8,600 in Numbers 3:28?
A: The number 8,600 represents the male members of the Kehat family of Levi who were eligible for future service in the Mishkan. The Midrash notes that this count reflects the large and dedicated workforce needed to transport and guard the holy vessels, showing the importance of their sacred duty.
Q: How does Numbers 3:28 apply to Jewish life today?
A: While we no longer have the Mishkan or Temple service, Numbers 3:28 teaches the value of dedicating individuals to holy tasks from a young age. Today, this idea is reflected in how Jewish children are educated in Torah and mitzvot early on, preparing them for a life of spiritual commitment, similar to the Levites' upbringing.
Q: What does 'keeping the charge of the sanctuary' mean in Numbers 3:28?
A: The phrase refers to the Levites' responsibility to guard and maintain the Mishkan (sanctuary). As the Talmud explains, their duties included assembling, disassembling, and transporting the Mishkan during travels, as well as protecting it from unauthorized access. This was a sacred trust given to the tribe of Levi.
Context in Sefer Bamidbar
The verse (Bamidbar 3:28) appears in the census of the Levi'im, specifically detailing the population of the family of Kehat, who were entrusted with guarding and transporting the most sacred vessels of the Mishkan. The number—8,600 males from one month old—reflects the total count, including infants, showing the future potential of this sacred duty.
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi notes that this count includes infants from one month old, unlike other Israelite tribes counted from twenty years old (Bamidbar 1:3). This distinction highlights the unique role of Levi'im, whose sanctity begins at birth due to their designated service. Rashi further explains that "keeping the charge of the sanctuary" refers to their responsibility to guard the Mishkan, even if they were not yet of age to perform active service.
Rambam on the Role of Levi'im
In Hilchot Klei HaMikdash (3:2), Rambam elaborates that the Levi'im were divided into shifts for guarding the Mishkan, a practice later applied to the Beit HaMikdash. Even infants were counted because their lineage destined them for this sacred duty, emphasizing the hereditary nature of their role.
Midrashic Insights
Practical Implications
The Talmud (Chullin 24a) derives from this verse that even minors in the tribe of Levi could be assigned symbolic roles in the Mishkan's upkeep, though actual service began at age 25 (Bamidbar 8:24). This underscores the principle of training children in sacred responsibilities from infancy, a value echoed in Jewish education today.