Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Numbers 4:38 teach us about the Gershonites?
A: Numbers 4:38 describes the counting of the sons of Gershon, one of the Levite families, by their families and paternal households. According to Rashi, this emphasizes the organization and structure of the Levites in their sacred duties, particularly their role in transporting the Mishkan (Tabernacle).
Q: Why were the Gershonites counted separately in this verse?
A: The Torah counts the Gershonites separately to highlight their unique responsibilities. The Rambam explains that each Levite family had distinct roles in the Mishkan service—the Gershonites were tasked with carrying the curtains and coverings (Numbers 4:24-28). This counting ensured proper delegation of duties.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the detailed counting in Numbers 4:38?
A: The detailed counting teaches the importance of every individual’s role in communal service. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah) notes that just as the Gershonites had a specific purpose in the Mishkan, every Jew has a unique contribution to make in serving Hashem and upholding Torah values.
Q: How does the concept of 'families and paternal households' apply today?
A: The verse’s focus on family and lineage reminds us of the value of Jewish identity and tradition. The Talmud (Kiddushin 68b) teaches that tribal and familial distinctions remain significant, especially in matters like marriage and inheritance, preserving the sanctity of Jewish heritage.
Q: What was the Gershonites' main responsibility in the Mishkan?
A: The Gershonites were responsible for transporting the Mishkan’s textiles—the curtains, coverings, and screens (Numbers 4:25-26). Rashi explains that their role required care and reverence, as these items were essential for the Mishkan’s sanctity and function.
Context in the Torah
The verse (Bamidbar 4:42) is part of the census of the Levites, specifically detailing the count of the Gershonite families who were assigned specific duties in the Mishkan (Tabernacle). The Torah emphasizes their enumeration "throughout their families, and by the house of their fathers," highlighting the importance of lineage and familial structure in their sacred roles.
Rashi's Commentary
Rashi explains that the phrase "לְמִשְׁפְּחוֹתָם וּלְבֵית אֲבֹתָם" ("throughout their families, and by the house of their fathers") indicates a dual categorization: first by their immediate families (mishpachot) and then by their broader ancestral houses (beit avot). This distinction ensures clarity in assigning responsibilities, as the Gershonites were tasked with transporting the Mishkan's coverings and curtains (Bamidbar 4:25-26).
Rambam's Perspective
In Hilchot Klei HaMikdash (Laws of the Temple Vessels), Rambam underscores that the Levitical divisions, including the Gershonites, were organized with precision to maintain order in the service of Hashem. The familial structure was not merely administrative but reflected a spiritual hierarchy, ensuring that sacred duties were performed with the proper reverence and continuity.
Midrashic Insights
Practical Implications
The structure of the Gershonites' service teaches a broader lesson about communal responsibility in Judaism. Just as their roles were defined by family and ancestry, so too does each Jew have a unique place in the collective mission of Am Yisrael. The Torah's attention to detail in their counting reminds us that every individual's contribution—no matter how seemingly small—is integral to the sanctity of the whole.