Commentary for Numbers 1:16
אֵ֚לֶּה קריאי [קְרוּאֵ֣י] הָעֵדָ֔ה נְשִׂיאֵ֖י מַטּ֣וֹת אֲבוֹתָ֑ם רָאשֵׁ֛י אַלְפֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל הֵֽם׃
These were the elect of the congregation, the princes of the tribes of their fathers; they were the heads of the thousands of Israel.
Rashi on Numbers
אלה קרואי העדה THESE WERE THOSE CALLED OF THE CONGREGATION — those who were called upon for every matter of importance that happened in the congregation.
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Tur HaArokh
קרואי העדה, “the above named were so described as their importance was such that no decisions were taken unless these men were present.”
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Siftei Chakhamim
To everything of importance. Rashi wishes to explain: Was their importance [only] that they called to the entire the congregation? Thus Rashi explains they were “invited to everything” meaning they were invited to deliberate and decide matters affecting the congregation.
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