Aliya Summary: And now the census results. After giving us the
numbers for each tribe, the Torah gives us the grand total: 603,550.
This number, however, does not include the Levites. Moshe was commanded
by G‑d not to include the holy tribe in the general census. Instead, the
Levites are assigned the following holy tasks: dismantling, carrying,
and re-erecting the Tabernacle whenever the Jews traveled, and camping
around the Sanctuary, keeping guard over it and its vessels.
Commentaries
point out that the low population figures recorded for Levi were closer
to what would be expected according to natural demographics. The
figures for the rest of the people were unnaturally high. This is a
result of the Torah's telling us, "and as they were tortured, so they
multiplied". Among the many miracles that occurred in Egypt, was the
fact the the people proliferated so greatly under very adverse
conditions. Since the tribe of Levi was not subjected to the harsh
conditions of slavery, its growth was "normal".
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