Comentários de Citação sobre Números 4:33

the bath, [which is a measure of] oil, etc. The “bath,” which is a measure of oil this is its tithe: the “bath” will be from a “kor.” I found [the following]: The tenth that the “bath” represents as a tithe shall be from a “kor.” How so? The tithe of a “bath” is from a “kor.” Dix measures in French, ten measures. This word is used for itself and for others, like (Num. 7:9): “the service of the Sanctuary,” (ibid. 4:33): “the service of [the families of] the sons of Merari.”

פקדת כל המשכן means: and further he was appointed over the burden of the sons of Kohath, i.e., to give each man orders regarding his service and his burden, which was the Tabernacle and all that was therein — all the articles set forth above in this section. The burden of the sons of Gershon and of the sons of Merari, however, which did not appertain to things of most holy character, was carried out by order of Ithamar, as is set forth in the section commencing with the word נשא (vv. 21—34).

AT THE COMMANDMENT OF AARON AND HIS SONS SHALL BE ALL THE SERVICE OF THE SONS OF THE GERSHONITES — “and which of Aaron’s sons shall be appointed over them? Ithamar” [as is stated in the following verse]. This is Rashi’s language. But it is not correct for [if only Ithamar was appointed], why mention Aaron [at all — at the commandment of Aaron etc.]? Rather, the meaning of [the expression] at the commandment of Aaron and his sons shall be all the service is that the services of the Gershonites shall be at their command. They are to appoint the Gershonites to their work, saying: “This particular Gershonite shall be the overseer for such-and-such a matter” — “This one shall sing [at the services] in such-and-such a way, or attend to the gates³See further Note 31. and for Scriptural basis see my translation of Sefer Hamitzvoth (“The Commandments,” Vol. I, pp. 32-33). in a certain manner, or shall carry a certain number of the curtains.” At the time of journeying they were also not permitted to dismantle the Tabernacle or to begin loading it until Aaron and his sons commanded them to do so. Thus all of them [Aaron and his sons] were needed for the appointed charge, Eleazar being the chief over the three princes [of the three main families of the Levites],⁴See in Seder Bamidbar Note 204. and Ithamar being the overseer over the sons of Gershon⁵Verse 28. and Merari.⁶Verse 33.
Scripture states and ‘ye’ shall appoint unto them in charge [all which they have to carry]⁷Verse 27. because Moses was to be with them at the time of the appointments, when the charges were given to them; but their charge shall be under the hand of Ithamar,⁵Verse 28. meaning that each one was to return the vessels to his control when the Tabernacle came to rest, saying to him: “Here you have the vessels that were handed over to me.”

I had indeed decreed. Twice I assigned greatness to the sons of Isomor: Concerning the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merori, it is stated, "Under the direction of Isomor, the son of Aharon the kohein."²³ Bamidbar 4:33. And Eili was one of the descendants of Isomor. This [explanation] I saw in Midrash Shmuel. I have, however, heard a more fitting explanation: "I had indeed decreed that your family and your father's family…" Originally I made Elozor the kohein to serve as kohein gadol, as it is stated, "remove Aharon's vestments, [and dress Elozor his son in them]."²⁴Ibid., 20:26. However, at the time of the concubine,²⁵ See Shoftim Chapters 19-21. Yisroel divested themselves of most mitzvos. And who was to blame [for this]? Pinchas and his associate kohanim, who should have gone around from city to city to reprove them. I therefore took the kehunah gedolah away from them, and gave it to you, for you are of Isomor's descendants, and I said, that they shall walk before Me forever; for when greatness is assigned to a person, it is assigned to him and to his generations forever.