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Sheiyni (according to Torah Temima/Chabad)
- The census and services of the Levite family of Merari:
- Hashem commanded Moshe to count all the male members of the Merari family who are between the ages of 30-50.
- The Merari family’s job of carrying the pillars: The Merari family servicemen are to carry the beams of the Mishkan, its poles, pillars and sockets, and all its accessories. The pillars of the courtyard, their sockets, pegs and ropes.
- Ithamar the supervisor: Ithamar the son of Aaron was appointed to supervise their work.
- The census of working men in the three families:
- Kehos: The family of Kehos had 2,750 working men between the age of 30-50.
style="text-align: center">Sheiyni (according to most Chumashim)
- Gershon: The family of Gershon had 2,630 working men between the age of 30-50.
- Merari: The family of Merari had 3,200 working men between the age of 30-50.
- Total number of worker: The total number of working Levites between the age of 30-50 was 8,580.
📘 Rashi Q&A — Bamidbar 4:29–49 (Merari · Detailed‑Shrunk)
4:29–30 — Counting Merari
Q1. Who is counted in Merari?
A: Males aged 30–50, fit for carrying service, same as Kehat and Gershon.
Q2. Why the same age range?
A: Only those in full physical strength for heavy עבודה.
4:31 — Main Role
Q3. What was Merari’s responsibility?
A: The structural parts of the Mishkan:
- Planks (קרשים)
- Bars
- Pillars
- Sockets
4:32 — Details of Equipment
Q4. What are “וִיתֵדֹתָם וּמֵיתְרֵיהֶם”?
A: Stakes and ropes of the pillars, not the curtains.
Q5. Why specify this?
A:
- Gershon → handled curtain ropes/stakes
- Merari → handled pillar-related ropes/stakes
Q6. Why were there ropes and stakes?
A:
- To anchor structures firmly
- Prevent wind from lifting parts
- Connect coverings and pillars securely
Q7. What does “בְּשֵׁמוֹת תִּפְקְדוּ” imply?
A: Each item was assigned by name, meaning:
- Exact responsibility per person
- No confusion in carrying
4:33 — Authority
Q8. Who supervised Merari?
A: Itamar son of Aaron
Q9. What does this show?
A:
- Even “lower holiness” materials require organized oversight
- עבודת ה’ demands structure at every level
4:34–37 — Kehat Summary
Q10. How many from Kehat served?
A: 2,750
Q11. What kind of עבודה did they do?
A: Carrying holiest vessels (Ark, Menorah, etc.)
4:38–41 — Gershon Summary
Q12. How many from Gershon served?
A: 2,630
Q13. What did they carry?
A: Curtains and coverings
4:42–45 — Merari Summary
Q14. How many from Merari served?
A: 3,200
Q15. Why is their number largest? (implicit from role)
A: They carried heaviest structural loads.
4:46–47 — Total Role Definition
Q16. What is “עֲבֹדַת עֲבֹדָה”?
A: Musical service (Levites playing instruments) → service assisting another service (korbanot).
Q17. What is “עֲבֹדַת מַשָּׂא”?
A: Actual carrying work, literal transport of Mishkan parts.
4:48 — Total Count
Q18. What is the total number of working Levites?
A: 8,580
4:49 — Final Principle
Q19. How was העבודה assigned?
A: Each person precisely assigned:
- His service
- His burden
Q20. What does this emphasize?
A: Everything done:
- By God’s command
- With exact order and precision