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Shishi
- Counting of Bechoros:
- The command: Hashem spoke to Moshe saying he should take a census of the firstborn of the Jewish people, counting all males one month old and above.
- Designating the Levites and animals in exchange for firstborns: You shall designate the Levites and their animals for Me in exchange for the firstborns of the Jewish people and their firstborn animals.
- The count: Moshe counted the firstborns of the Jewish people as Hashem commanded and there was a total of 22,273 firstborn males above the age of one month.
- Redeeming the Bechoros with the Levites:
- The command: Hashem commanded Moshe to exchange the Levites and their animals for the firstborns of the Jewish people and their firstborn animals, and they shall be for Me.
- The redemption of the extra 273 firstborn: For the redemption of the 273 Israelite firstborns who are in surplus to the Levite count, you shall take five Shekalim per head, each Shekel being the worth of 20 Geira. Give the money to Aaron and his sons.
- Moshe took the money from the surplus firstborns and gave it to Aaron and his sons as Hashem commanded. It was a total sum of 1,365 Shekel.
📘 Rashi Q&A — Bamidbar 3:40–51
3:40 — Counting the Firstborn
Q1. Why are firstborn counted from one month old?
A: Because below one month he is possibly non‑viable.
3:41–45 — Levites Replace Firstborn
Q2. What replaces the Israelite firstborns?
A: The Levites.
Q3. What about animals?
A: Levite animals replace Israel’s firstborn donkeys, not kosher animals.
Q4. How do we know this?
A: Torah does not count animal surplus, only human.
3:43 — Total Firstborn
Q5. How many firstborn were there?
A: 22,273.
3:46 — Surplus Firstborn
Q6. How many firstborn exceeded the Levites?
A: 273.
Q7. What must be done with them?
A: They must be redeemed with money.
3:47 — Five Shekels
Q8. Why five shekels?
A: Allusion to sale of Yosef (20 silver pieces ÷ brothers).
3:49–50 — Total Money
Q9. How much money was collected?
A: 1,365 shekels.
Q10. How is it calculated?
A: 273 × 5 = 1,365.
3:50 — Lottery Method
Q11. How did Moshe determine who pays?
A: By lottery tickets:
- “Levite” (free)
- “5 shekels” (pay)
3:51 — Giving the Money
Q12. To whom was the money given?
A: Aaron and his sons.
Q13. What does the verse emphasize?
A: Everything was done exactly as God commanded.