Return to Parasha ChartParashiyot Summary: Bemidbar (Numbers)
BEMIDBAR (Numbers): Like the book of Leviticus, Numbers contains little 'narrative.' As its English name suggests, it contains several lists- each census of the Israelites. The Hebrew name comes from the first significant word(s): On the first day of the second month, in the second year following the exodus from the land of Egypt, in the wilderness of Sinai, (bemidbar Sinai)....The Israelites' journey through the desert concludes, and they get ready to enter the Promised land. The Book of Numbers is 36 chapters long, divided into 10 Parashiyot.
Summary: This first Parashah records the details of a census taken of the Israelite men over twenty years old (able to bear arms). The total is 603,550. The Levites are not counted in this census, since their responsibilities are to take care of the Tabernacle.
Summary: The test for an adulterous woman is described. Israelites may take a vow to abstain from grape products and refrain from cutting their hair. In this way, they are consecrated to God. Such individuals were called a 'Nazir.' Our most famous 'Nazirite' was Samson whose birth is read in the Haftarah. This Parasha also includes the 3 line Priestly blessing.
Summary: Even though the book of Numbers began in the second month of the second year, the Torah now turns its attention to the first anniversary of the liberation from Egypt. After the celebration of Passover, the Israelites again complain about their diet of Manna, and God (angrily) sends quail - and the people die of their craving and gluttony. An episode is related where Aaron and Miriam speak ill of Moses because of the woman he married; because of this slander, Miriam is stricken with leprosy.
Summary: Twelve spies are sent to scout the land of Canaan. Ten bring back a pessimistic report: the land is indeed good (scouts return with a bunch of grapes (along with some pomegranates and figs) so large it is supported by two men on a frame (now the sumbol for Israel Tourism), the inhabitants are giants. Thoroughly discouraged, the Israelites rail against Moses and God (once again) to return them to Egypt. The portion concludes with instructions to tie 'tzitzit' (fringes) to the four corners of one's garment.
Summary: Korach and his followers rebel against the leadership of Moses. After a confrontation, Korach's followers are swallowed up by the earth. The Parasha also includes the rule that the first fruits (of animals and fruit) belong to God, are must be given to the priests. In addition, tithes must be given to the Levites (in payment of their services rendered in the Tabernacle), who have no portion of land. They, in turn, give a portion of these gifts to God.
Summary: This parashah contains the ritual of the red heifer. While the ashes would purify someone who was impure, they would make impure someone who was pure! This parashah also tells of the famous episode when God instructs Moses to speak to the rock to produce water, but he strikes the rock instead.
Summary: Balak, King of Moab, fears the oncoming Israelites. He summons a prophet/sorcerer, Balaam, to stop the Hebrews with his curse. God appears to Balaam to warn him that the Israelites are blessed, and that he should give up the task of the curse. Balak, however, entices the prophet with a large sum. An angel blocks Balaam's travel by appearing to his ass, which speaks to Balaam to ask him to stop whipping him. Upon arriving in Moab, words of blessing for Israel come from Balaam's lips. Balak pleads with the prophet neither to bless nor to curse, but another blessing follows, because God puts the words in Balaam's mouth. Later, the Hebrews attach themselves to Moabite women and their gods, incensing Adonai.
Summary: Pinchas, zealous for God, is shown favor by the Eternal. Moses is enjoined to attack the Midianites for an earlier foul deed. God asks Moses to take a census of Israel, whose enumeration follows. The daughters of a man named Tzelophehad dispute the law that inheritances only go to sons. Moses takes their case to God; and the daughters win the case! Moses has an opportunity to view the Land of Israel, which he will not enter because of his previous misdeed at the waters of Meribah. He receives a command to let Joshua replace him when the time comes. A list of festival offerings follows, and the parashah concludes with a section on the vows of women.
Summary: The rules of vows are described. A fierce battle with the Midianites takes place, and the Midianites are slain. The women are spared, causing Moses to be angry. The tribe of Reuben and Gad approach Moses for permission to settle on the east side of the Jordan. Moses agrees, if they will first join the rest of the Israelites in battling the Canaanites, and then cross over to settle.
Summary: A travelogue summary of the journey is given and the boundaries of the land of Israel are described. The case of the daughters of Tzelophehad (see Pinhas, above) is modified: daughters must marry someone from their own tribe, in order that no tribe's inheritance pass to another tribe.