Num. 01 : 1 - 04 : 20 B'Midbar

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

The following is a commentary from Teacher
Ariel ben-Lyman. Enjoy!


"PARASHAH:
B'midbar (In the desert)

ADDRESS:
B'midbar (Numbers)
1:1-4:20


"Let's begin with the opening blessing for the :

"Baruch atah YHVH, Eloheynu, Melech ha-O'lam,
asher bachar banu m'kol ha-amim,
v'natan lanu eht -to.
Baruch atah YHVH, noteyn ha-.
Ameyn."

"Blessed are you, O' LORD, our God, King of the Universe,
you have selected us from among all the peoples,
and have given us your .
Blessed are you, LORD, giver of the .
Ameyn."

This week we begin the fourth book of Moshe, called B’midbar. Its English name comes from the fact that the initial chapters begin with a census taken of the entire assembly of ‘Am Yisra’el (People of Isra'el). Our first parashah bearing the name of the entire book, which follows with Jewish tradition, is very informative where the Tribes are concerned. Historically, the people stood poised to enter the Land which was promised to them through the Avot (Fathers), Avraham, Yitz’chak, and Ya’akov. War with the immediate inhabitants of the Land was inevitable, and HaShem was masterfully preparing a suitable army of those (20 years and older) who would be able to go in and fight.

The discontented whining of a young child can be difficult to ignore. Likewise, the childlike whining of ‘Am Yisra’el in the wilderness characterizes the book of B’midbar. Here is a brief overview:

This book picks up where Sh’mot (Exodus) leaves off—with ‘Am Yisra’el camped at the base of Har Sinai. From here the people journeyed into the wilderness (b’midbar) of Paran, south of the Promised Land. Scouts were sent to explore the Land and give a report on its inhabitants. When they returned to the camp, their report was not favorable, and the people began to doubt HaShem’s ability to give them their inheritance, and they complained against him. Because of their sin, God condemned them to wander in the wilderness until the generation of k’vetchers (complainers) died off and a new generation took their place. Forty years later they slowly made their way back to Kena’an (Canaan)—this time ready to obey the mitzvot of ADONAI. After winning some important campaigns east of the Yarden River (Jordan), ‘Am Yisra’el prepared to enter the heart of the Promised Land they had waited so long to see.

We are very familiar with the 40 years of wandering that the people would eventually have to endure as a result of their doubt. The number 40 signals trials, testing, endurance, and sometimes punishment. The Stone Edition TaNaKH, however, has this to say about the book of B’midbar:

‘The Book of Numbers begins and ends with Isra'el on the verge of entering its Land—but the thirty-eight intervening years of wandering in the Wilderness were a low point in Jewish history. This Book contains the episodes of the spies, who poisoned the minds of the people, the rebellion of Korah and his assembly, and the error of Moshe and Aharon that cost them the privilege of entering the land. But it also ends with the first step in the conquest of the Land of Isra'el.’

Mixing my own comments (italics) with theirs, they also add:

‘In Talmudic and Rabbinic literature, the Book is known as Chumash HaPekudim, the Book of Numbers, because as previously mentioned, one of its major themes is the census of the people. In the first few chapters of our parashah, the members of the tribes were counted individually, as every Jew passed in front of Moshe and Aharon and presented proof of his tribal descent. What an awesome experience it must have been for even the humblest Jew to stand before his two leaders—the greatest prophet who ever lived (next to Yeshua), and God’s holy servant—to identify himself and to receive their blessing and guidance! Once counted, the tribes were arrayed around the Mishkan (Tabernacle), demonstrating that the Sh’khinah (Manifest Presence of HaShem) was their rallying point, the central focus of the nation, then and always. For Jews are a nation by virtue of the gracious giving of the of HaShem; it is their raison d’etre. By accepting it they became a people, and by following it they remain a people. To disown the Covenant is to fall outside of the calling of being a Covenant People. HaShem does not operate outside of covenants. Historically for today, his grace and mercy operate only within the scope of the covenant that his Son Yeshua HaMashiach has initiated.’

There in the wilderness, the people were to encamp around the Mishkan which contained the Tablets of the (the Ten Words), and march with it wherever God led them. That leitmotif of Jewish nationhood would continue throughout its history. As it has been aptly said, "More than the Jews have preserved the Sabbath, the Sabbath has preserved the Jews."

Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) notes at the beginning of the Book that God counted the nation at every significant turn because he loves it. So too, the fact that the people were counted as individuals proves the infinite worth of every Jew, and sets the precedent for God’s undying love to see every one of his created subjects return to a loving relationship with him through his Unique and Only Son. Certainly it would have been easier and quicker to count the people en masse, and that would have been the proper course if all that mattered were sheer numbers. But that would have caused the individual to be an insignificant member of the total community and it would have obscured his personal responsibility to grow and contribute. Each tribe had its own uniqueness to contribute to the national well-being and each individual was precious in his own right.

In chapter 2 verse 2 we read,

"Each person shall camp near the banner carrying his paternal family's insignia. They shall camp at a distance around the Communion Tent."

Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook (1865-1935), the first Chief Rabbi of the Land of Isra'el has these insightful words to add concerning the Tribes and the banners that they bore:

Throughout their sojourn in the desert, the Israelites were commanded to set up their tents around tribal flags:
What is the significance of these banners?

The Midrash says that the inspiration for the banners came from Sinai. The Revelation of the was attended by 22,000 chariots of angels, each one decked out with flags. The Israelites immediately desired to have flags just like the angels - and God agreed. "He brought me to the wine-house, and His banner over me is love." [Song 2:4]

This Midrash indicates that banners relate to some intrinsic aspect of angels, though not of people. But the Midrash leaves us with many questions. What does it mean that angels bear flags? Why does the verse refer to Sinai as a 'wine-house'? And what is the connection between banners and love?

The Zohar states that the banners of the four major encampments (in each direction: north, south, east and west) corresponded to the four 'faces' of the mystical chariot mentioned in the beginning of Ezekiel. These four 'faces' are fundamental Divine attributes. Thus each encampment related to a particular Divine attribute.

What is an angel? The Hebrew word "mal'ach" literally means 'messenger'. The very essence of an angel is to fulfill a particular Divine mission. An angel cannot perform a task, important though it may be, other than the specific mission for which it was designated.

The people desired flags like those the angels bore at Sinai. They wanted every individual to be able to choose a form of Divine service which suits his personality, just as each angel executes a very specific function, as defined by his flag.

Again, this testifies of the uniqueness and importance of each and every single individual in God’s economy. But we shall see this fully developed as God himself makes provisions for each human, Jew and Gentile, to join his wonderful Family.

Each person is precious in his own right!

So it remains true today, as has been demonstrated by Yeshua’s obedience even unto death!:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only and unique Son, so that everyone who trusts in him may have eternal life instead of being utterly destroyed." (John 3:16, emphasis mine)

Also,

"For the passage quoted says that everyone who rests his trust on him will not be humiliated. That means that there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—ADONAI is the same for everyone, rich toward everyone who calls on him, since everyone who calls on the name of ADONAI will be delivered." (Rom. 10:11-13, emphasis his)

And again in another place,

"…for it is not his purpose that anyone should be destroyed, but that everyone should turn from his sins." (2 Pet. 3:9c)

So we see that God is interested in each individual—not just whole tribes! True, this book tells how the nation slid and an entire generation had to remain in the Wilderness and expire. But their children emerged strong and courageous, still gathered around the Mishkan and ready to claim its destiny as the heirs to the blessings of Avraham, Yitz’chak and Ya’akov.



Nahar Deah
Jonathan Stein, Senior Rabbi of Temple Shaaray Tefila, New York, NY

Immediately following the census, God instructs the tribes and the Levites to take up positions around the Tabernacle, which was to remain at the very center of the camp. (See The : A Modern Commentary, edited by W. Gunther Plaut, New York: UAHC Press, 1981, p. 1,027.) As the focus of the people’s attention, the Ark and the Tabernacle were powerful symbols of God’s Presence. “Every individual was located in relation to the Ark and the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle was the first thing one saw on leaving home and the first thing one looked for on returning home. Gradually, this physical centrality must have led to the Ark’s gaining a central place in the Israelite soul” (Etz Chayim, New York: The Jewish Publication Society, 2001, p. 774). Like our ancestors, each of us sees God from a slightly different perspective, depending upon where we are encamped in life, but God remains the focal point, our anchor and compass in bad times and good.

Two other teachings derived from this week’s parashah can also help us regain our direction when we’re lost “in the wilderness.” The midrash teaches that by purposely revealing the in the middle of a desert, God was trying to show us the importance of humility. Humility includes an awareness of one’s smallness and is a necessary trait for attaining contentment in life. A humble person is satisfied with what he or she has and feels gratitude, thanksgiving, and awe, all of which are essential for finding a spiritual place in God’s world. Difficult times remind us of the need for humility.

And finally, maintaining one’s integrity can be a key ingredient to emerging whole from troubled times “in the wilderness.” The statement “As they camp, so shall they march…” (Numbers 2:17) has been interpreted homiletically to teach that one should be the same person at home and away; in private and in public; on the inside and on the outside; in our thoughts and our intentions; and in our speech and our behavior. Maintaining integrity when life is difficult can be an enormous challenge: Doing so allows us to emerge from our struggles with our self-respect and dignity intact.

Finding ourselves “in the wilderness” of life, as our ancestors did during this formative period of our history, can be incredibly tough. But we are blessed as Jews to possess the spiritual resources that help us slowly find our way toward the Promised Land."

Shabbat Shalom!

[Mark]

Bamidbar, the Hebrew title of the Christian Bible’s book of Numbers. How different a perspective: that the gentile focuses upon who is there. The Hebrew looks upon where we are found. It is so strange after leaving beHar, the mountaintop of God, where we have been surrounded by His statutes and suddenly find ourselves to be in the wilderness. It’s as though it were a dream and it’s difficult to ascertain if we are now awake or if we are sleeping. "What am I doing in the wilderness? A moment ago, I was in the presence of God!"

It’s like that. We think we are there. We settle in and comfortably think to ourselves that we’ve finally made it. Then we suddenly look around and say, "Oh! I’m not where I thought I was." It must have been like that when Adam and Seth and his sons suddenly looked around them and realized that the Presence of Adonai was not among them. For the first time, they had to call out to the Name of Adonai Elohim.

The wilderness isn’t quite what has typically represented in the Hollywood representations of some oppressive and foreboding wasteland. The same word "midbahr" is found in the Song of Solomon, describing the sweet nothings that lovers speak to each other. The wilderness is not that which is utterly worthless and absolutely unpleasant. It simply just isn’t sustainable. When I think about the mountaintop, with it’s thundering and lightening, the storms that can rise from nowhere unexpectedly, the difficulty and tiresome process of traversing a continuous incline, the hard rocky surfaces that have been etched away by the wind: the wilderness isn’t such a bad place. The rolling grasslands, the clear view for miles, the warmth of the sun, pocketed with crags and valleys where shade can be found. The wilderness is rather serene. We get mixed up, thinking we’re going to find tranquility on the mountain and harsh conditions in the wilderness, when really, the mountain is an uphill struggle and the wilderness is a pleasant and easy walk.

It makes the journey difficult and confusing when what we expect to find on the mountaintop is the circumstance we leave behind in the wilderness. It’s disappointing to realize that what I really want is an easy journey; but what God has called me to is a narrow road. The mountain isn’t fun; but the wilderness isn’t sustainable; thus the life of faith is one of leaving behind what is preferable in pursuit of what is holy and righteous and good.

And the LORD spoke unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, (Numbers 1:1 KJV)

The was given to the people of Israel in the ownerless desert. For if it were given in the Land of Israel, the residents of the Land of Israel would say, "It is ours"; and if it were given in some other place, the residents of that place would say, "It is ours." Therefore it was given in the wilderness, so that anyone who wishes to acquire it may acquire it.
(Mechilta D'Rashbi)

Why was the given in the desert? To teach us that if a person does not surrender himself to it like the desert, he cannot merit the words of . And to teach us that just as the desert is endless, so is the without end.
(Pesikta D'Rav Kahana)

Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls; (Numbers 1:2 KJV)

Literally, the Hebrew reads, "Raise the heads of all the people. It’s easy to be cast down in a crowd, to go unnoticed. Yet, Adonai, takes this moment to count each one individually, raising each head and declaring to each one, "You are as special to Me as your brother." There are words in Hebrew that describe the act of counting or calculating; but this word is peculiar, "s'eu es rosh kol adas bnei Yisrael."

From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies. (Numbers 1:3 KJV)

Though 13 is the spiritual reckoning of adulthood in Jewish tradition, some hold that twenty years old is "the age of accountability" based upon this verse, that this is the age by which they are expected to carry the military burdens of the nation and because Numbers 32:11, where the men age twenty years and up were held responsible for the murmuring against God and would fall in the wilderness.

And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers. (Numbers 1:4 KJV)

One man did not take an account of his tribe and report back as we may see a modern census; but a representative of each tribe went together and counted all the people.

And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you: of the tribe of Reuben; Elizur the son of Shedeur. (Numbers 1:5 KJV)

Of Simeon; Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. (Numbers 1:6 KJV)

Of Judah; Nahshon the son of Amminadab. (Numbers 1:7 KJV)

Of Issachar; Nethaneel the son of Zuar. (Numbers 1:8 KJV)

Of Zebulun; Eliab the son of Helon. (Numbers 1:9 KJV)

Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim; Elishama the son of Ammihud: of Manasseh; Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. (Numbers 1:10 KJV)

Of Benjamin; Abidan the son of Gideoni. (Numbers 1:11 KJV)

Of Dan; Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. (Numbers 1:12 KJV)

Of Asher; Pagiel the son of Ocran. (Numbers 1:13 KJV)

Of Gad; Eliasaph the son of Deuel. (Numbers 1:14 KJV)

Of Naphtali; Ahira the son of Enan. (Numbers 1:15 KJV)

These were the renowned of the congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel. (Numbers 1:16 KJV)

And Moses and Aaron took these men which are expressed by their names: (Numbers 1:17 KJV)

And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls. (Numbers 1:18 KJV)

As the LORD commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai. (Numbers 1:19 KJV)

The word "peh-kowd" is translated "numbered" here; but the translation gives it little justice. In Genesis 39:4, Joseph was made the "peh-kowd" over all of Potipher’s house. It carries the idea of careful scrutiny and easy familiarity. It could be easily understood as "he ‘kept’ them in the wilderness of Sinai."

A census expresses two paradoxical truths. On the one hand, it implies that each individual is significant. On the other hand, a head-count is the ultimate equalizer: each member of the community, from the greatest to the lowliest, counts for no less and no more than "one." God repeatedly commands Moses to count the Jewish people to emphasize both their individual worth--the fact that no single person's contribution is dispensable--as well as their inherent equality.
(The Masters)


And the children of Reuben, Israel's eldest son, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; (Numbers 1:20 KJV)

Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Reuben, were forty and six thousand and five hundred. (Numbers 1:21 KJV)

Of the children of Simeon, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, those that were numbered of them, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; (Numbers 1:22 KJV)

Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Simeon, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred. (Numbers 1:23 KJV)

Of the children of Gad, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; (Numbers 1:24 KJV)

Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Gad, were forty and five thousand six hundred and fifty. (Numbers 1:25 KJV)

Of the children of Judah, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; (Numbers 1:26 KJV)

Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Judah, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred. (Numbers 1:27 KJV)

Of the children of Issachar, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; (Numbers 1:28 KJV)

Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Issachar, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred. (Numbers 1:29 KJV)

Of the children of Zebulun, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; (Numbers 1:30 KJV)

Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Zebulun, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred. (Numbers 1:31 KJV)

Of the children of Joseph, namely, of the children of Ephraim, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; (Numbers 1:32 KJV)

Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Ephraim, were forty thousand and five hundred. (Numbers 1:33 KJV)

Of the children of Manasseh, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; (Numbers 1:34 KJV)

Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Manasseh, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred. (Numbers 1:35 KJV)

Of the children of Benjamin, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; (Numbers 1:36 KJV)

Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Benjamin, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred. (Numbers 1:37 KJV)

Of the children of Dan, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; (Numbers 1:38 KJV)

Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Dan, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred. (Numbers 1:39 KJV)

Of the children of Asher, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; (Numbers 1:40 KJV)

Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Asher, were forty and one thousand and five hundred. (Numbers 1:41 KJV)

Of the children of Naphtali, throughout their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; (Numbers 1:42 KJV)

Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Naphtali, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred. (Numbers 1:43 KJV)

These are those that were numbered, which Moses and Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel, being twelve men: each one was for the house of his fathers. (Numbers 1:44 KJV)

So were all those that were numbered of the children of Israel, by the house of their fathers, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war in Israel; (Numbers 1:45 KJV)

Even all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty. (Numbers 1:46 KJV)

But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them. (Numbers 1:47 KJV)

For the LORD had spoken unto Moses, saying, (Numbers 1:48 KJV)

Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel: (Numbers 1:49 KJV)

But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle. (Numbers 1:50 KJV)

And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. (Numbers 1:51 KJV)

And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, throughout their hosts. (Numbers 1:52 KJV)

But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony. (Numbers 1:53 KJV)

And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they. (Numbers 1:54 KJV)

And the LORD spoke unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, (Numbers 2:1 KJV)

Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their father's house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch. (Numbers 2:2 KJV)

And on the east side toward the rising of the sun shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch throughout their armies: and Nahshon the son of Amminadab shall be captain of the children of Judah. (Numbers 2:3 KJV)

And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred. (Numbers 2:4 KJV)

And those that do pitch next unto him shall be the tribe of Issachar: and Nethaneel the son of Zuar shall be captain of the children of Issachar. (Numbers 2:5 KJV)

And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred. (Numbers 2:6 KJV)

Then the tribe of Zebulun: and Eliab the son of Helon shall be captain of the children of Zebulun. (Numbers 2:7 KJV)

And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred. (Numbers 2:8 KJV)

All that were numbered in the camp of Judah were a hundred thousand and fourscore thousand and six thousand and four hundred, throughout their armies. These shall first set forth. (Numbers 2:9 KJV)

On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben according to their armies: and the captain of the children of Reuben shall be Elizur the son of Shedeur. (Numbers 2:10 KJV)

And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were forty and six thousand and five hundred. (Numbers 2:11 KJV)

And those which pitch by him shall be the tribe of Simeon: and the captain of the children of Simeon shall be Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. (Numbers 2:12 KJV)

And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred. (Numbers 2:13 KJV)

Then the tribe of Gad: and the captain of the sons of Gad shall be Eliasaph the son of Reuel. (Numbers 2:14 KJV)

And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and five thousand and six hundred and fifty. (Numbers 2:15 KJV)

All that were numbered in the camp of Reuben were a hundred thousand and fifty and one thousand and four hundred and fifty, throughout their armies. And they shall set forth in the second rank. (Numbers 2:16 KJV)

Then the tabernacle of the congregation shall set forward with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camp: as they encamp, so shall they set forward, every man in his place by their standards. (Numbers 2:17 KJV)



On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their armies: and the captain of the sons of Ephraim shall be Elishama the son of Ammihud. (Numbers 2:18 KJV)

And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty thousand and five hundred. (Numbers 2:19 KJV)

And by him shall be the tribe of Manasseh: and the captain of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. (Numbers 2:20 KJV)

And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred. (Numbers 2:21 KJV)

Then the tribe of Benjamin: and the captain of the sons of Benjamin shall be Abidan the son of Gideoni. (Numbers 2:22 KJV)

And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred. (Numbers 2:23 KJV)

All that were numbered of the camp of Ephraim were a hundred thousand and eight thousand and a hundred, throughout their armies. And they shall go forward in the third rank. (Numbers 2:24 KJV)

The standard of the camp of Dan shall be on the north side by their armies: and the captain of the children of Dan shall be Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. (Numbers 2:25 KJV)

And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred. (Numbers 2:26 KJV)

And those that encamp by him shall be the tribe of Asher: and the captain of the children of Asher shall be Pagiel the son of Ocran. (Numbers 2:27 KJV)

And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and one thousand and five hundred. (Numbers 2:28 KJV)

Then the tribe of Naphtali: and the captain of the children of Naphtali shall be Ahira the son of Enan. (Numbers 2:29 KJV)

And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred. (Numbers 2:30 KJV)

All they that were numbered in the camp of Dan were a hundred thousand and fifty and seven thousand and six hundred. They shall go hindmost with their standards. (Numbers 2:31 KJV)

When God told Moses to organize the Israelite camp Moses began to feel distressed. He thought, "now strife will arise among the tribes; for if I bid the tribe of Judah camp on the east side of the Tabernacle and he says, 'I will accept only the south,' and the same applies to Reuben and the same to Ephraim and to each of the other tribes, what am I to do?"
Said God to him: "Moses, why should that trouble you? They have no need of you. They know their places full well themselves. They are in possession of a testament left them by Jacob their father, which tells them how to camp under their standards. I am not going to make any changes. They already have a traditional order from Jacob their father: in the same way that they disposed themselves round his bier when they carried him, so shall they dispose themselves round the Tabernacle."

For Rav Chama, son of Rabbi Chaninah, said: When our father Jacob was about to depart from the world he summoned his sons and he blessed them and commanded them concerning the ways of God, and they acknowledged the Divine sovereignty. Having concluded his address, he said to them: "My children, when my bier is being carried, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun shall be on the east side; Reuben, Simeon, and Gad shall be on the south side; Ephraim, Menasseh, and Benjamin shall be on the west side; Dan, Asher, and Naphtali shall be on the north side; Joseph shall not carry at all, for he is a king and must be shown due honor; neither shall Levi carry because he will carry the Ark, and he that is to carry the Ark of Him who is the life of all worlds must not carry the coffin of the dead. If you will comply with these orders and carry my bier as I have commanded you, G-d will in the future cause you to camp beneath standards." (Midrash Rabbah)

Each tribe had its own prince and its flag whose color corresponded to the color of its stone [in Aaron's breastplate--see Exodus 28:15-21]. It was from the tribes of Israel that kingdoms learned to provide themselves with flags of various colors.
Reuben's stone was a ruby; the color of his flag was red and embroidered thereon were mandrakes [cf. Genesis 30:14].
Simeon's stone was a topaz; his flag was of a green color, and the town of Shechem was embroidered thereon [cf. Genesis 34:25].
Levi's stone was a smaragd; the color of his flag was one third white, one third black, and one third red, and embroidered thereon was [Aaron's breastplate with] the Urim and Tummim.
Judah's stone was a carbuncle; the color of his flag was like the color of the heavens and embroidered on it was a lion [cf. Genesis 49:9].
Issachar's stone was a sapphire; the color of his flag was black like stibium, and embroidered thereon was the sun and moon, in allusion to the verse, "And of the children of Issachar, men that had understanding of the times" (I Chronicles 12:33).
Zebulun's stone was an emerald; the color of his flag was white, with a ship embroidered thereon, in allusion to the verse, "Zebulun shall dwell at the shore of the sea" (Gen. 49:13).
Dan's stone was a jacinth; the color of his flag was similar to sapphire, and embroidered on it was a serpent, in allusion to the verse, "Dan shall be a serpent in the way" (ibid. v. 17).
Gad's stone was an agate; the color of his flag was neither white nor black but a blend of black and white, and on it was embroidered a military camp, in allusion to the verse, "Gad, a troop shall troop upon him" (ibid. v. 19).
Naphtali's stone was an amethyst; the color of his flag was like clarified wine of a light red, and on it was embroidered a deer, in allusion to the verse, "Naphtali is a deer let loose" (ibid. v. 21).
Asher's stone was a beryl; the color of his flag was like the precious stone with which women adorn themselves, and embroidered thereon was an olive-tree, in allusion to the verse, "As for Asher, his bread shall be fat with oil" (ibid. v. 20).
Joseph's stone was an onyx and the color of his flags were jet black; the embroidered design thereon for the two tribes descendant from Joseph, Ephraim and Menasseh, was Egypt, because they were born in Egypt. On the flag of Ephraim was embroidered a bullock, in allusion to the verse, "His firstling bullock" (Deuteronomy 33:17), which refers to Joshua who came from the tribe of Ephraim. On the flag of the tribe of Menasseh was embroidered a unicorn, in allusion to the verse, "And his horns are the horns of the re'em" (ibid.), which alludes to Gideon son of Joash who came from the tribe of Menasseh.
Benjamin's stone was jasper and the color of his flag was a combination of all the twelve colors; embroidered thereon was a wolf, in allusion to the verse, "Benjamin is a wolf that raveneth" (Genesis 49:27). (Midrash Rabbah)

There are a number of ways that these formations around the camp are imagined. Some suppose that each tribe stood an equal distance to the Tabernacle, performing a circular (or rather octagonal) formation around the Tabernacle. Another idea is that the most prominent tribes (Judah, Reuben and Ephraim) were closest to the Tabernacle and the lesser tribes extended outward. Another suggestion is just the opposite, that the head tribes formed an outer ring and the lesser tribes were protected within. Each suggestion carries it’s own array of fascinating ideas when visually used to represent our relationship with Adonai. The latter presents the lion, the ox, ,the adder and the carnal passion (mandrakes) farthest away from the Tabernacle, with representations of tranquility and prosperity protected within. The next has strength and power closest to the Tabernacle and blessings extending out from it. The first, symbolizes equality and Adonai’s hand equally affecting every aspect of life. Arrange the camp as you will.

These are those which were numbered of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers: all those that were numbered of the camps throughout their hosts were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty. (Numbers 2:32 KJV)

But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses. (Numbers 2:33 KJV)

And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses: so they pitched by their standards, and so they set forward, every one after their families, according to the house of their fathers. (Numbers 2:34 KJV)

These also are the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day that the LORD spoke with Moses in mount Sinai. (Numbers 3:1 KJV)

And these are the names of the sons of Aaron; Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. (Numbers 3:2 KJV)

These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests which were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest's office. (Numbers 3:3 KJV)

And Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD, when they offered strange fire before the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children: and Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest's office in the sight of Aaron their father. (Numbers 3:4 KJV)

And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, (Numbers 3:5 KJV)

Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him. (Numbers 3:6 KJV)

And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the service of the tabernacle. (Numbers 3:7 KJV)

And they shall keep all the instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle. (Numbers 3:8 KJV)

And thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and to his sons: they are wholly given unto him out of the children of Israel. (Numbers 3:9 KJV)

And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest's office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. (Numbers 3:10 KJV)

And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, (Numbers 3:11 KJV)

And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine; (Numbers 3:12 KJV)

Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I am the LORD. (Numbers 3:13 KJV)

And the LORD spoke unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying, (Numbers 3:14 KJV)

Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers, by their families: every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them. (Numbers 3:15 KJV)

And Moses numbered them according to the word of the LORD, as he was commanded. (Numbers 3:16 KJV)

And these were the sons of Levi by their names; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari. (Numbers 3:17 KJV)

And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families; Libni, and Shimei. (Numbers 3:18 KJV)

And the sons of Kohath by their families; Amram, and Izehar, Hebron, and Uzziel. (Numbers 3:19 KJV)

And the sons of Merari by their families; Mahli, and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to the house of their fathers. (Numbers 3:20 KJV)

Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimites: these are the families of the Gershonites. (Numbers 3:21 KJV)

Those that were numbered of them, according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, even those that were numbered of them were seven thousand and five hundred. (Numbers 3:22 KJV)

The families of the Gershonites shall pitch behind the tabernacle westward. (Numbers 3:23 KJV)

And the chief of the house of the father of the Gershonites shall be Eliasaph the son of Lael. (Numbers 3:24 KJV)

And the charge of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation shall be the tabernacle, and the tent, the covering thereof, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, (Numbers 3:25 KJV)

And the hangings of the court, and the curtain for the door of the court, which is by the tabernacle, and by the altar round about, and the cords of it for all the service thereof. (Numbers 3:26 KJV)

And of Kohath was the family of the Amramites, and the family of the Izeharites, and the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites: these are the families of the Kohathites. (Numbers 3:27 KJV)

In the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, were eight thousand and six hundred, keeping the charge of the sanctuary. (Numbers 3:28 KJV)

The families of the sons of Kohath shall pitch on the side of the tabernacle southward. (Numbers 3:29 KJV)

And the chief of the house of the father of the families of the Kohathites shall be Elizaphan the son of Uzziel. (Numbers 3:30 KJV)

And their charge shall be the ark, and the table, and the candlestick, and the altars, and the vessels of the sanctuary wherewith they minister, and the hanging, and all the service thereof. (Numbers 3:31 KJV)

And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall be chief over the chief of the Levites, and have the oversight of them that keep the charge of the sanctuary. (Numbers 3:32 KJV)

Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites, and the family of the Mushites: these are the families of Merari. (Numbers 3:33 KJV)

And those that were numbered of them, according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, were six thousand and two hundred. (Numbers 3:34 KJV)

And the chief of the house of the father of the families of Merari was Zuriel the son of Abihail: these shall pitch on the side of the tabernacle northward. (Numbers 3:35 KJV)

And under the custody and charge of the sons of Merari shall be the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and the sockets thereof, and all the vessels thereof, and all that serveth thereto, (Numbers 3:36 KJV)

And the pillars of the court round about, and their sockets, and their pins, and their cords. (Numbers 3:37 KJV)

But those that encamp before the tabernacle toward the east, even before the tabernacle of the congregation eastward, shall be Moses, and Aaron and his sons, keeping the charge of the sanctuary for the charge of the children of Israel; and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. (Numbers 3:38 KJV)

Typically the word "zoor", translated "stranger" is speaking of a foreigner; but here it applies to any Jew not of the house of Levi. There is some confusion as to how this might be carried out. Most translations demonstrate this as an edict, that the people of Israel must execute anyone trying to usurp the role of priest. The Hebrew simply declares that the person must or will die- "mooth". As we look into future examples where someone outside of the tribe of Levi performed a priestly act, the judgment was never performed by the people; but assumed that Adonai would (and did) avenge Himself.

All that were numbered of the Levites, which Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of the LORD, throughout their families, all the males from a month old and upward, were twenty and two thousand. (Numbers 3:39 KJV)

And the LORD said unto Moses, Number all the firstborn of the males of the children of Israel from a month old and upward, and take the number of their names. (Numbers 3:40 KJV)

And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I am the LORD) instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel. (Numbers 3:41 KJV)

And Moses numbered, as the LORD commanded him, all the firstborn among the children of Israel. (Numbers 3:42 KJV)

And all the firstborn males by the number of names, from a month old and upward, of those that were numbered of them, were twenty and two thousand two hundred and threescore and thirteen. (Numbers 3:43 KJV)

And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, (Numbers 3:44 KJV)

Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle; and the Levites shall be mine: I am the LORD. (Numbers 3:45 KJV)

And for those that are to be redeemed of the two hundred and threescore and thirteen of the firstborn of the children of Israel, which are more than the Levites; (Numbers 3:46 KJV)

Thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the poll, after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them: (the shekel is twenty gerahs:) (Numbers 3:47 KJV)

And thou shalt give the money, wherewith the odd number of them is to be redeemed, unto Aaron and to his sons. (Numbers 3:48 KJV)

And Moses took the redemption money of them that were over and above them that were redeemed by the Levites: (Numbers 3:49 KJV)

Of the firstborn of the children of Israel took he the money; a thousand three hundred and threescore and five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary: (Numbers 3:50 KJV)

And Moses gave the money of them that were redeemed unto Aaron and to his sons, according to the word of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses. (Numbers 3:51 KJV)

The story goes that all a scrap of leather was placed in a bowl to represent each of the first-born sons of Israel. On twenty-two thousand of these scraps was written, "ben Levi" (son of Levi) and on the others was written "five shekels".

One may wonder what may have been harder, to pull out a scrap that suggests your redemption has been granted by another or that you must pay out five shekels. This same struggle is battled in each of our hearts when we understand that our redemption price is paid in full. Five shekels is not a lot of money. That’s roughly the amount that a person would have expected to pay for one meal, a fish in the marketplace or a pair of shoes. Yet, for twenty-some thousand, the price was the life of another. It causes me to pause and consider how cheaply I consider the life of my Messiah when I engage in conduct, little things, insignificant, trivial offenses that are equally responsible for His dying for me on the cross.

And the LORD spoke unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, (Numbers 4:1 KJV)

Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, after their families, by the house of their fathers, (Numbers 4:2 KJV)

From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter into the host, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation. (Numbers 4:3 KJV)

Interesting that one could go to war at twenty but not engage ministry at the Tabernacle until age 30. This would later be extended to the role of a rabbi: that he would not be considered fit to teach others until after age 30, the age that Messiah Yeshua is understood to have entered His earthly ministry.

This shall be the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation, about the most holy things: (Numbers 4:4 KJV)

And when the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall come, and his sons, and they shall take down the covering veil, and cover the ark of testimony with it: (Numbers 4:5 KJV)

And shall put thereon the covering of badgers' skins, and shall spread over it a cloth wholly of blue, and shall put in the staves thereof. (Numbers 4:6 KJV)

And upon the table of shewbread they shall spread a cloth of blue, and put thereon the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls, and covers to cover withal: and the continual bread shall be thereon: (Numbers 4:7 KJV)

And they shall spread upon them a cloth of scarlet, and cover the same with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put in the staves thereof. (Numbers 4:8 KJV)

And they shall take a cloth of blue, and cover the candlestick of the light, and his lamps, and his tongs, and his censers, and all the oil vessels thereof, wherewith they minister unto it: (Numbers 4:9 KJV)

And they shall put it and all the vessels thereof within a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put it upon a bar. (Numbers 4:10 KJV)

And upon the golden altar they shall spread a cloth of blue, and cover it with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put to the staves thereof: (Numbers 4:11 KJV)

And they shall take all the instruments of ministry, wherewith they minister in the sanctuary, and put them in a cloth of blue, and cover them with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put them on a bar: (Numbers 4:12 KJV)

And they shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth thereon: (Numbers 4:13 KJV)

And they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof, wherewith they minister about it, even the censers, the fleshhooks, and the shovels, and the basins, all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread upon it a covering of badgers' skins, and put to the staves of it. (Numbers 4:14 KJV)

And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation. (Numbers 4:15 KJV)

And to the office of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest pertaineth the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, and the daily meat offering, and the anointing oil, and the oversight of all the tabernacle, and of all that therein is, in the sanctuary, and in the vessels thereof. (Numbers 4:16 KJV)

And the LORD spoke unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, (Numbers 4:17 KJV)

Cut ye not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites: (Numbers 4:18 KJV)

But thus do unto them, that they may live, and not die, when they approach unto the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in, and appoint them every one to his service and to his burden: (Numbers 4:19 KJV)

But they shall not go in to see when the holy things are covered, lest they die. (Numbers 4:20 KJV)

When the Children of Israel traveled through the wilderness, they were led by the articles of the Tabernacle, first in line was the Ark of the Testimony; but no one saw it, nor the other articles because they were covered.

At first read, we see them as all draped with the same "badger’s skins" but it wasn’t exactly so: each article was specifically covered in a specific way.

The Ark of the Testimony was covered with the animal skin; but on top of that was tekhelet: the royal blue that was worn by the High Priest and from which every Jew was commanded to wear a strand from his outer garment. Each person was connected to the Ark, though they could never look directly upon it, they were literally attached to it by the tekhelet.

Next was the Table of Showbread. It was covered with the animal skin, but layered underneath was scarlet, and beneath that was blue.

The Menorah, the Light of Adonai’s presence, had no skin upon it. It was covered with the single tekhelet (blue) cloth.

The Altar of Incense was covered with the animal skin, lined with blue. The instruments of ministry was the same.

The Altar of Sacrifice was covered with skins and beneath that was purple.

The skin of the animal (King James says badger but it was more likely something like an antelope) represents mortality, the limitations of what is presented by man. It is significant that the only article that is not covered by it is the Menorah, which houses the fire of Adonai. The Ark of the Testimony (our Messiah) is draped with the mortality; but the royal tekhelet is on the outside, never seen.

Each of the articles that had the animal skin outward represented the elements which men brought to God: the showbread, the incense and the sacrifice offerings. The Ark of the Testimony and the Menorah demonstrated things that were sent to man by God: the , Aaron’s rod that budded, mannah, and the fire that would be preserved in a brass caldron was the very fire sent down from heaven to burn the first offering (Leviticus 9:24).

An obvious lesson in this is that the things that we have to offer to God are tainted, even separated from God by our mortality. We get in the way of our offerings- there is an impurity or distance from God in everything we can offer. Yet, the things that He has given to us, allowing us to participate in His righteousness are pure. Messiah, Himself, distanced Himself from the Father by His mortality: becoming man and dying on the cross for our sins; but that distance is covered, making His representation absolutely pure.

We are inclined to want to do good things for God: special things, pleasant things. Often, though, we don’t understand that what it is we are offering to Him is the wilderness: that pleasant peacefulness that has little substance. We often confuse the tranquility and calm for closeness, when really, it’s just tranquility and calm. This isn’t to say that there has to be fire and thunder in order to be sure we have Adonai’s attention. It is to be sure that when we offer to Him ourselves, we are selling Him short, because all the goodness and blessing that has substance has come from Him.

**Rabinical excerpts from www.chabad.org