PARSHAS BAMIDBAR
Can you figure out what each picture has to do with the parsha?
Rabbi Dani Staum
KEY to Parshas Bamidbar Pix
Like a Dad to me – The Torah refers to Aharon’s sons as sons of Moshe. Rashi explains that if one teaches someone Torah it’s as if he gave birth to them – 3:1
1 month old – The Leviim were counted from when they were a month old. Rashi relates that Moshe stood outside the Levite tents and a heavenly voice informed him how many Leviim were in that family – 3:15 (Rashi is on pasuk 16)
Disassemble/Assemble – One of the roles of the Leviim was to disassemble the Mishkan whenever the nation traveled and then to re-erect it when they arrived at their destination – chapter 4
603,550 – The total population of Jewish men between 20-60 calculated from the census – 2:32
Counts – Chumash Bamidbar is called Chumash Hapekudim – the book of counting/numbers because the nation is counted in parshas Bamidbar and again in parshas Pinchos (which is why this is undoubtedly the Count’s favorite chumash.)
Tribes – Each shevet was counted individually and the total of each shevet is enumerated – chapter 1
Flags – In addition, each shevet had its own flag, which fostered pride within each family for their shevet – chapter 2
All four directions – The Torah details where each shevet was positioned throughout their travels – three shevatim in each direction, surrounding the Leviim, who surrounded the Mishkan – chapter 2
The brothers three – Levi had three sons – Gershon, Kehas, and Merari. Those three families comprised shevet Levi. Each of them was positioned surrounding the Mishkan (on the fourth side was Moshe and Aharon) – chapter 3
Fire in the shape of a lion – While the nation traveled, the Mizbeiach (and all the vessels) were covered in special vestments. The fire atop the Mizbeiach remained burning in its covering “crouching like a lion” – 4:13 – Rashi
The 273 – The firstborn were redeemed with the Leviim (who took their place as those designated to perform the Avodah in the Mishkan). There were 273 more firstborns then Leviim who had to be redeemed for five shekels each – 3:46
