Counting the Levites

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1. The Census of the Leviim

   Prof. Jonathan Grossman

   This article discusses the dual census of the Levites, which is an expression of a dual perspective: one from the point of view of the Kohanim, and the other from the point of view of the Israelites.

2. The Leviim and the Firstborn

   Rabbi Ezra Bick

   Why is the census described twice, and both times in great detail? Why aren't the Levites included in the census, while Moshe's orders not to include them only appear after the census? Why were the Levites given to Aharon, and only then said to replace the firstborns? Why were Moshe and Aharon's descendants mentioned separately?

3. The Census of the Leviim (Audio)

   Prof. Jonathan Grossman | 19 minutes

   What is the reason for a census at the beginning of Sefer Bemidbar? And why is Levi not included in the general count? This shiur examines the significance of the census narratives in the parasha, uncovering messages about the role of the tribe of Levi and how they are meant to relate to Bnei Yisrael. 

4. Short Thoughts on Bamidbar - The Census and the Small Tribe of Levi

   Rabbi Ezra Bick | 6 minutes

   Bemidbar details a census of Bnei Yisrael and a separate one for the Leviim.  Commentators notice that by far the smallest of the tribes is Levi. Why is that? We look at a few explanations, some relating to the experience of enslavement in Egypt.

   One opinion is that the Book of Shemot mentions that as Israel was oppressed, they multiplied - but Levi was not enslaved. Another opinion is that a higher spiritual level is usually associated with a rarer commodity, or with less material success. Or perhaps it was a favor to the Tribe of Levi so that they could be sustained with limited space and resources allocated to them.

    

5. The Status of the Tribe of Levi

   Rabbi Amnon Bazak

   Parshat Bamidbar reflects two different aspects of the selection of the Levi’im. The first selection, described in chapter 1, arises from the sanctity of the tribe of Levi as a whole, as it was sanctified for God's service in the wake of the sin of the golden calf. According to the other perspective, as reflected in chapter 3, the source of the holiness of the Levi’im is actually the prior selection of the firstborn; the Levi’im are simply the replacement for the firstborn. Through a close analysis of the text we can understand the nature of the differences in these perspectives, and understand the unique role of the Levi’im. 

6. The Census of the Leviim and the Number of Firstborn

   Rabbi Elchanan Samet

   The census of the Leviim raises a number of questions, particularly regarding the population of the tribe of Levi- why is it considerably smaller when compared to the populations of the other tribes? Through a close examination of the text and commentaries, this article attempts to answer this question. 

7. Parshat Bemidbar Part 2: The Census

   Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 25 minutes

   This podcast continues the discussion regarding the order of the tribes listed in Parshat Bemidbar, and deals with the question as to why the tribe of Levi was not counted at this point.  

    

   Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com

8. Parshat Bemidbar Part 3: First Born, Kohen & Levi

   Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 25 minutes

   Which tribe is considered the leading tribe? Is it Reuven- the firstborn, or perhaps Yehuda or Yosef? This podcast discusses this question as it arises in Parshat Bemidbar. We also discuss Moshe’s unique role, as well as the role of the tribe of Levi as a replacement to the firstborns in the service of God in the Mishkan.

    

   Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com

9. Parshat Bemidbar Part 4: Census of Levi

   Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 26 minutes

   This podcast deals with the question that arise from the census of the tribe of Levi regarding the mathematical discrepancy within the census. Additionally, we address the issue regarding the low number of Leviim, and discuss the relationship between Kohanim and Leviim.

    

   Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com