49. Al pi Adonai pakad otam beyad Moshe ish ish al avodato ve'al masa'o ufkudav asher tziva Adonai et Moshe
Numbers 4:38 to 4:49
In the second aliyah of Parashat Naso, the Torah continues describing the census of the Levites: detailing the roles and the number of people qualified for service in the Mishkan.
The Census of Gershon and Merari
In the previous aliyah the roles of the sons of Gershon and Merari were mentioned. Here the Torah provides the exact numbers of Levites in each family:
Sons of Gershon:
Ages 30 to 50, qualified for service:
2,630 Levites (verse 40).
These are the ones who carry the curtains of the Mishkan, the screens and the coverings, and all the fabric details.
Sons of Merari:
Ages 30 to 50:
3,200 Levites (verse 44).
These are the ones who carry the boards, the bars, the sockets, and the heavy parts, the architectural foundation of the Mishkan.
Summary of the Census
“Vayihyu pkudeihem shmonat alafim vachamesh me’ot ushmonim” (“And their counted ones were eight thousand five hundred and eighty”, verse 48)
In total:
8,580 Levites, from all three families of the tribe of Levi (Kehat, Gershon, Merari), chosen to serve and carry the parts of the Mishkan between ages 30 and 50.
Each one was called by name and counted individually: “Ish ish al avodato ve’al masa’o” (“Each man according to his service and his load”, verse 49).
What Is the Message?
There is no small role in the Mishkan, and each one has a precise place.
Each one has a unique role of his own, not interchangeable.
The one responsible for the screens will not carry boards, and the one responsible for the boards will not touch the Ark.
This is perfect teamwork, which emphasizes hierarchy, mission, and responsibility.
How important it is to understand the value of division of roles in society, in the family, and in the community.
Not everyone does the same thing, but everyone is a partner in the same vision.
The great honor is to fulfill your mission, exactly as God commanded.
More Questions on the Parsha
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