May 31, 2025
A PEEK AT THE PARSHA
Parshat Bamidbar begins with the counting of Bnei Yisrael. A little more than one year after leaving Mitzrayim, on RoshChodeshIyar, Hashem tells Moshe to count all of the men between ages 20 to 60. Each male came before him, Aharon, and the prince of the shevet and donated a half-shekel coin. Moshe then counted all of the coins and the amount was more than 600,000. Based on this number, one can assume that the total number of Bnei Yisrael was three million.
The parsha continues discussing how Bnei Yisrael camped while traveling in the desert. Each shevet had a specific spot as well as a unique flag. Every flag had
ONE BIG IDEA
Why does Hashem tell Moshe to count Bnei Yisrael?Healready knowshowmany people there are! Rashi teaches that Hashem counts us because He loves us— just like a person who keeps counting something they care about, like their favorite coins or toys, to make sure they are all safe and in the right place.Hashem is showing us that every single Jew matters. We’re not just a big group we are individuals, and each one of us is important to Hashem.
its own color and picture. Their colors were based on each shevet’s stone from the Kohen Gadol’s Choshen (chestplate). Their picture on the flag was based on the unique bracha they received from Yaakov Avinu. The Mishkan was in the center of the camp and it was surrounded by Shevet Levi. The Leviim were appointed to do all work in the Mishkan. This included singing and guarding it while Bnei Yisrael were camping, and transporting it while Bnei Yisrael traveled.
Shevet Levi consisted of three different families: Gershon, Kehat, and Merari. Each of the families encamped with three of the shvatim. The family of Kehat, were the ones with the privilege of carrying the extra holy parts of the Mishkan: the Aron,Menorah and Shulchan.
The Bechorim (first born males) were originally the ones given the responsibility of service in the Mishkan and later in the Beit Hamikdash. Sadly, since they participated in the Cheyt Ha’egel (Sin of the Golden Calf), they were punished and were no longer allowed to perform this privilege. Shevet Levi, the only shevet not to participate in the Cheyt Haegel, was rewarded with doing all the work in the Mishkan
Candle-lighting: 8:01pm Havdalah: 9:03pm
PARSHA STATS DID YOU KNOW…?
Mitzvot…………………………..0 (0 Do’s, 0 Don’ts)
Lines in the Torah ..............263 (3rd most)
Pesukim .............................159 (3rd most)
Words ................................1823 (13th most)
Letters................................7393 (9th most)
Year(s)................................2449
(Source: OU Torah Tidbits)
Most Ashkenazic Jews stand when the Aseret Hadibrot (the 10 Commandments) are read from the Torah on the first day of Shavuot, to reenact the way Bnei Yisrael received the Torah at Har Sinai Most Sephardic Jews sit because they don’t want people to think that parts of the Torah are more special or more real than other parts. Did you know that there is one reason that Sephardic Jews would stand? When their rabbi is given the aliyah in which the Aseret Hadibrot are read (and a child stands if their father gets that aliyah).
CHECKLIST
To be filled out after shabbat and brought in Monday.
Called someone to wish them a “Shabbat Shalom”
Went to shul
Participated in Hadlakat Nerot/Kiddush/ Hamotzi/Birkat Hamazon
Sang zemirot/songs
Wore Shabbat clothing
Helped prepare our home for Shabbat
Full Name: ______________________________
Class: __________________________________
Parent Signature: _________________________
QUESTIONS
1. How many mitzvot are in this week’s parsha?
2. What chag are we celebrating this coming week?
3. Who was supposed to do the work in the Mishkan and why don’t they do it?
4. Why did Hashem count the people if he already knew how many there were?
5. When would Sephardic Jews stand during the reading of Aseret Hadibrot?