B'midbar בְּמִדבַּר In the Wilderness

Numbers 1:1−4:20

When Is B'midbar Read?

/ 29 Iyar 5786
/ 29 Iyar 5787
/ 2 Sivan 5788

Summary

  • God commands Moses to take a census of all the Israelite males over the age of twenty. (1:1-46)
  • The duties of the Levites, who are not included in the census, are detailed. (1:47-51)
  • Each tribe is assigned specific places in the camp around the Tabernacle. (1:52-2:34)
  • The sons of Levi are counted and their responsibilities are set forth. (3:1-3:39)
  • A census of the firstborn males is taken and a special redemption tax is levied on them. (3:40-51)
  • God instructs Moses and Aaron regarding the responsibilities of Aaron and his sons, and the duties assigned to the Kohathites. (4:1-20)

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Ten Minutes of Torah: B'midbar Commentary

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“How to Pack for a Long Journey”

By: Cantor Jamie Marx

Numbers is a book for adults. Not because of sexual content (that would be Genesis) or theological complexity (Exodus), but because it's about choices and consequences. Every choice we make will generate an infinite number of reactions.

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More B'midbar Commentaries

Video: Learn More About Parashat B'midbar

Reporter Helen Chernikoff digs into the statistics of the Israelite census and tells us some interesting stories about the people who were wandering in the desert - much more than just their ages and occupations. Take a look B'midbar - in a desert - and see what you can learn about people. Enjoy this video and other with Bim Bam.

Listen to Podcasts About B'midbar

Listen to Rabbi Rick Jacobs discuss Parashat B'midbar in these episodes of his podcast, On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah.

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