Chapter 4

1The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron saying:   אוַיְדַבֵּ֣ר יְהוָֹ֔ה אֶל־משֶׁ֥ה וְאֶל־אַֽהֲרֹ֖ן לֵאמֹֽר:
2Make a count of the sons of Kohath from among the children of Levi by their families, according to their fathers' houses.   בנָשׂ֗א אֶת־רֹאשׁ֙ בְּנֵ֣י קְהָ֔ת מִתּ֖וֹךְ בְּנֵ֣י לֵוִ֑י לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם לְבֵ֥ית אֲבֹתָֽם:
Make a count. Count those among them who are fit for the service of carrying, and are from the age of thirty until the age of fifty. One under thirty has not reached the peak of his strength; from this our Sages said, “At thirty for [full] strength” (Avoth 5:21). Over the age of fifty, one’s strength begins to wane.   נָשׂא אֶת־רֹאשׁ וגו'.  מְנֵה מֵהֶם אֶת הָרְאוּיִין לַעֲבוֹדַת מַשָּׂא, וְהֵם מִבֶּן שְׁלֹשִׁים וְעַד בֶּן חֲמִשִּׁים שָׁנָה, וְהַפָּחוּת מִשְּׁלֹשִׁים לֹא נִתְמַלֵּא כֹחוֹ, מִכָּאן אָמְרוּ (אבות פ"ה) "בֶּן שְׁלֹשִׁים לַכֹּחַ", וְהַיּוֹתֵר עַל בֶּן חֲמִשִּׁים כֹּחוֹ מַכְחִישׁ מֵעַתָּה:
3From the age of thirty until the age of fifty, all who enter the service, to do work in the Tent of Meeting.   גמִבֶּ֨ן שְׁלשִׁ֤ים שָׁנָה֙ וָמַ֔עְלָה וְעַ֖ד בֶּן־חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה כָּל־בָּא֙ לַצָּבָ֔א לַֽעֲשׂ֥וֹת מְלָאכָ֖ה בְּאֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד:
4The following is the service of the sons of Kohath in the Tent of Meeting-the Holy of Holies.   דזֹ֛את עֲבֹדַ֥ת בְּנֵֽי־קְהָ֖ת בְּאֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד קֹ֖דֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִֽׁים:
The Holy of Holies. The holiest of all-the ark, the table, the menorah, the altars, the dividing curtain, and the service utensils.   קֹדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִֽׁים.  הַמְקֻדָּשׁ שֶׁבְּכֻלָּן – הָאָרוֹן וְהַשֻּׁלְחָן וְהַמְּנוֹרָה וְהַמִּזְבְּחוֹת וְהַפָּרֹכֶת וּכְלֵי שָׁרֵת:
5When the camp is about to travel, Aaron and his sons shall come and take down the dividing screen; with it, they shall cover the Ark of the Testimony.   הוּבָ֨א אַֽהֲרֹ֤ן וּבָנָיו֙ בִּנְסֹ֣עַ הַמַּֽחֲנֶ֔ה וְהוֹרִ֕דוּ אֵ֖ת פָּרֹ֣כֶת הַמָּסָ֑ךְ וְכִ֨סּוּ־בָ֔הּ אֵ֖ת אֲרֹ֥ן הָֽעֵדֻֽת:
Aaron and his sons shall come. They shall put each vessel into its holder specified for it in this section. The Levite sons of Kohath need only carry them.   וּבָא אַֽהֲרֹן וּבָנָיו וגו'.  יַכְנִיסוּ כָל כְּלִי וּכְלִי לְנַרְתֵּקוֹ הַמְפֹרָשׁ לוֹ בְּפָרָשָׁה זוֹ, וְלֹא יִצְטָרְכוּ הַלְוִיִּם בְּנֵי קְהָת אֶלָּא לָשֵׂאת:
When the camp is about to travel. When the cloud withdraws, they know that they are to travel.   בִּנְסֹעַ הַמַּֽחֲנֶה.  כְּשֶׁהֶעָנָן מִסְתַּלֵּק, הֵן יוֹדְעִין שֶׁיִּסְּעוּ:
6They shall place upon it a covering of tachash skin and on top of that they shall spread a cloth of pure blue wool. Then they shall put its poles in place.   ווְנָֽתְנ֣וּ עָלָ֗יו כְּסוּי֙ ע֣וֹר תַּ֔חַשׁ וּפָֽרְשׂ֧וּ בֶֽגֶד־כְּלִ֛יל תְּכֵ֖לֶת מִלְמָ֑עְלָה וְשָׂמ֖וּ בַּדָּֽיו:
7They shall spread a cloth of blue wool on the Show Table and they shall place on it the forms, spoons, supports, and covering frames; the continual bread can then be placed upon it.   זוְעַ֣ל | שֻׁלְחַ֣ן הַפָּנִ֗ים יִפְרְשׂוּ֘ בֶּ֣גֶד תְּכֵ֒לֶת֒ וְנָֽתְנ֣וּ עָ֠לָ֠יו אֶת־הַקְּעָרֹ֤ת וְאֶת־הַכַּפֹּת֙ וְאֶת־הַמְּנַקִּיֹּ֔ת וְאֵ֖ת קְשׂ֣וֹת הַנָּ֑סֶךְ וְלֶ֥חֶם הַתָּמִ֖יד עָלָ֥יו יִֽהְיֶֽה:
forms, spoons, supports, and covering frames. I have already described [these] in [the chapter dealing with] the work of the Mishkan (Ex. 25).   קערת וכפת וקשות ומנקית.  כְּבָר פֵּרַשְׁתִּי בִּמְלֶאכֶת הַמִּשְׁכָּן:
covering. Heb. הַנָּסֶךְ, from the term מָסָךְ [a screen] as it is written, with which they are covered (יֻסַּךְ)" (Ex. 25:29).   הַנָּסֶךְ.  הַכִּסּוּי, לְשׁוֹן מָסָךְ, כְּדִכְתִיב "אֲשֶׁר יֻסַּךְ בָּהֵן" (שמות כ"ה):
8They shall spread upon them a cloth of crimson wool and cover that with a covering of tachash skin. Then they shall put its poles into place.   חוּפָֽרְשׂ֣וּ עֲלֵיהֶ֗ם בֶּ֚גֶד תּוֹלַ֣עַת שָׁנִ֔י וְכִסּ֣וּ אֹת֔וֹ בְּמִכְסֵ֖ה ע֣וֹר תָּ֑חַשׁ וְשָׂמ֖וּ אֶת־בַּדָּֽיו:
9They shall take a blue cloth and cover the menorah for lighting and its lamps, its tongs, and its scoops, and all its oil vessels used in performing its service.   טוְלָֽקְח֣וּ | בֶּ֣גֶד תְּכֵ֗לֶת וְכִסּ֞וּ אֶת־מְנֹרַ֤ת הַמָּאוֹר֙ וְאֶת־נֵ֣רֹתֶ֔יהָ וְאֶת־מַלְקָחֶ֖יהָ וְאֶת־מַחְתֹּתֶ֑יהָ וְאֵת֙ כָּל־כְּלֵ֣י שַׁמְנָ֔הּ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יְשָֽׁרְתוּ־לָ֖הּ בָּהֶֽם:
its tongs. A type of tweezers with which the wick was drawn to the desired direction.   מַלְקָחֶיהָ.  כְּמִין צְבַת שֶׁמּוֹשֵׁךְ בָּהּ אֶת הַפְּתִילָה לְכָל צַד שֶׁיִּרְצֶה:
its scoops. Heb. מַחְתֹּתֶיהָ, a sort of small spoon, with a level bottom, not rounded. It had no wall in the front, only at its sides, and he uses it to rake the ashes from the [menorah] lamps when he cleans them.   מַחְתֹּתֶיהָ.  כְּמִין כַּף קְטַנָּה, וְשׁוּלֶיהָ פְשׁוּטִין וְלֹא סְגַלְגַּלִּים, וְאֵין לָהּ מְחִצָּה לְפָנֶיהָ אֶלָּא מִצִּדֶּיהָ, וְחוֹתֶה בָהּ אֶת דֶּשֶׁן הַנֵּרוֹת כְּשֶׁמְּטִיבָן:
its lamps. Heb. נֵרֹתֶיהָ, loces in Old French, in which the oil and wicks are placed.   נֵרֹתֶיהָ.  לוצי"ש בְּלַעַז, שֶׁנּוֹתְנִים בָּהֶן הַשֶּׁמֶן וְהַפְּתִילוֹת:
10They shall put it and its vessels into a covering of tachash skin and place it on a pole.   יוְנָֽתְנ֤וּ אֹתָהּ֙ וְאֶת־כָּל־כֵּלֶ֔יהָ אֶל־מִכְסֵ֖ה ע֣וֹר תָּ֑חַשׁ וְנָֽתְנ֖וּ עַל־הַמּֽוֹט:
into a covering of tachash skin. A type of [large] sack.   אֶל־מִכְסֵה עוֹר תָּחַשׁ.  כְּמִין מַרְצוּף:
11They shall spread a cloth of blue wool over the golden altar and cover it with a covering of tachash skin, and then set its poles in place.   יאוְעַ֣ל | מִזְבַּ֣ח הַזָּהָ֗ב יִפְרְשׂוּ֙ בֶּ֣גֶד תְּכֵ֔לֶת וְכִסּ֣וּ אֹת֔וֹ בְּמִכְסֵ֖ה ע֣וֹר תָּ֑חַשׁ וְשָׂמ֖וּ אֶת־בַּדָּֽיו:
12They shall then take all the vessels used in the Holy, put them into a cloth of blue wool, cover them with a covering of tachash skin, and put them onto a pole.   יבוְלָֽקְחוּ֩ אֶת־כָּל־כְּלֵ֨י הַשָּׁרֵ֜ת אֲשֶׁ֧ר יְשָֽׁרְתוּ־בָ֣ם בַּקֹּ֗דֶשׁ וְנָֽתְנוּ֙ אֶל־בֶּ֣גֶד תְּכֵ֔לֶת וְכִסּ֣וּ אוֹתָ֔ם בְּמִכְסֵ֖ה ע֣וֹר תָּ֑חַשׁ וְנָֽתְנ֖וּ עַל־הַמּֽוֹט:
all the vessels used in the Holy. That is, within the Mishkan [as opposed to the courtyard], which is holy. These are the incense vessels with which they ministered on the inner altar.   אֶת־כָּל־כְּלֵי הַשָּׁרֵת אֲשֶׁר יְשָֽׁרְתוּ־בָם בַּקֹּדֶשׁ.  בְּתוֹךְ הַמִּשְׁכָּן שֶׁהוּא קֹדֶשׁ, וְהֵן כְּלֵי הַקְּטֹרֶת שֶׁמְּשָׁרְתִין בָּהֶם בְּמִּזְבֵּחַ הַפְּנִימִי:
13They shall remove the ashes from the altar and spread a cloth of purple wool over it.   יגוְדִשְּׁנ֖וּ אֶת־הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ וּפָֽרְשׂ֣וּ עָלָ֔יו בֶּ֖גֶד אַרְגָּמָֽן:
They shall remove the ashes from the altar. The copper altar.   וְדִשְּׁנוּ אֶת־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ.  מִזְבַּח הַנְּחֹשֶׁת:
They shall remove. remove the ashes from upon [the altar].   וְדִשְּׁנוּ.  יִטְּלוּ אֶת הַדֶּשֶׁן מֵעָלָיו:
and spread a purple cloth over it. The fire that descended from heaven crouched under the cloth like a lion during their travels, but it did not burn it because they covered it with a large copper pot.   וּפָֽרְשׂוּ עָלָיו בֶּגֶד אַרְגָּמָֽן.  וְאֵשׁ שֶׁיָּרְדָה מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם רְבוּצָה תַּחַת הַבֶּגֶד כַּאֲרִי בִּשְׁעַת הַמַּסָּעוֹת, וְאֵינָהּ שׂוֹרַפְתּוֹ, שֶׁהָיוּ כוֹפִין עָלֶיהָ פְּסַכְתֵּר שֶׁל נְחֹשֶׁת (יומא כ"א):
14They shall place on it all the utensils with which they minister upon it: the scoops, the forks, the shovels, and the basins-all the implements of the altar. Then they shall spread over it a covering of tachash skin and set its poles into place.   ידוְנָֽתְנ֣וּ עָ֠לָ֠יו אֶת־כָּל־כֵּלָ֞יו אֲשֶׁ֣ר יְשָֽׁרְת֧וּ עָלָ֣יו בָּהֶ֗ם אֶת־הַמַּחְתֹּ֤ת אֶת־הַמִּזְלָגֹת֙ וְאֶת־הַיָּעִ֣ים וְאֶת־הַמִּזְרָקֹ֔ת כֹּ֖ל כְּלֵ֣י הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ וּפָֽרְשׂ֣וּ עָלָ֗יו כְּס֛וּי ע֥וֹר תַּ֖חַשׁ וְשָׂמ֥וּ בַדָּֽיו:
scoops. Heb. מַחְתֹּת, with which they raked (חוֹתִין) the coals during the separation of the ashes. It was shaped like a three-sided pan, and the coals were gathered up with its front end.   מחתת.  שֶׁבָּהֶם חוֹתִין גֶּחָלִים לִתְרוּמַת הַדֶּשֶׁן, הָעֲשׂוּיָה כְּמִין מַחֲבַת שֶׁאֵין לָהּ אֶלָּא שָׁלֹשׁ מְחִצּוֹת, וּמִלְּפָנֶיהָ שׁוֹאֶבֶת אֶת הַגְּחָלִים:
forks. Heb. מִזְלָגֹת, copper hooks used to prod the limbs on the altar and turn them over, so they would be consumed properly and quickly.   מזלגת.  צִנּוֹרִיּוֹת שֶׁל נְחֹשֶׁת שֶׁבָּהֶן מַכִּין בָּאֵבָרִים שֶׁעַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ לְהָפְכָן, כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּתְעַכְּלוּ יָפֶה וּמַהֵר:
shovels. Heb. יָעִים. These were shovels, in Old French, videl , which were made of copper and used to sweep the ashes off the altar.   יעים.  הֵם מַגְרֵפוֹת, וּבְלַעַז וודי"ל, וְהֵן שֶׁל נְחֹשֶׁת, וּבָהֶן מְכַבְּדִין אֶת הַדֶּשֶׁן מֵעַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ:
15Aaron and his sons shall finish covering the Holy and all the vessels of the Holy when the camp is set to travel, and following that, the sons of Kohath shall come to carry [them], but they shall not touch the sacred objects for [then] they will die. These are the burden of the sons of Kohath for the Tent of Meeting.   טווְכִלָּ֣ה אַֽהֲרֹן־וּ֠בָנָ֠יו לְכַסֹּ֨ת אֶת־הַקֹּ֜דֶשׁ וְאֶת־כָּל־כְּלֵ֣י הַקֹּ֘דֶשׁ֘ בִּנְסֹ֣עַ הַמַּֽחֲנֶה֒ וְאַֽחֲרֵי־כֵ֗ן יָבֹ֤אוּ בְנֵֽי־קְהָת֙ לָשֵׂ֔את וְלֹֽא־יִגְּע֥וּ אֶל־הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ וָמֵ֑תוּ אֵ֛לֶּה מַשָּׂ֥א בְנֵֽי־קְהָ֖ת בְּאֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד:
the covering of the Holy. The ark and the altar.   לְכַסֹּת אֶת־הַקֹּדֶשׁ.  הָאָרוֹן וְהַמִּזְבֵּחַ:
vessels of the Holy. The menorah and the service utensils.   וְאֶת־כָּל־כְּלֵי הַקֹּדֶשׁ.  הַמְּנוֹרָה וּכְלֵי שָׁרֵת:
they will die. If they touch [the sacred objects] they are punishable by death at the hands of heaven.   וָמֵתוּ.  שֶׁאִם יִגְּעוּ — חַיָּבִין מִיתָה בִידֵי שָׁמַיִם:
16The charge of Eleazar the son of Aaron the kohen: oil for lighting, the incense of spices, the continual [daily] meal offering, and the anointing oil; the charge for the entire Mishkan and all that is in it, of the Holy and its furnishings.   טזוּפְקֻדַּ֞ת אֶלְעָזָ֣ר | בֶּן־אַֽהֲרֹ֣ן הַכֹּהֵ֗ן שֶׁ֤מֶן הַמָּאוֹר֙ וּקְטֹ֣רֶת הַסַּמִּ֔ים וּמִנְחַ֥ת הַתָּמִ֖יד וְשֶׁ֣מֶן הַמִּשְׁחָ֑ה פְּקֻדַּ֗ת כָּל־הַמִּשְׁכָּן֙ וְכָל־אֲשֶׁר־בּ֔וֹ בְּקֹ֖דֶשׁ וּבְכֵלָֽיו:
The charge of Eleazar. who was assigned to carry them: the oil, the incense, and the anointing oil.   וּפְקֻדַּת אֶלְעָזָר.  שֶׁהוּא מְמֻנֶּה עֲלֵיהֶם לָשֵֹאת אוֹתָם, שֶׁמֶן וּקְטֹרֶת וְשֶׁמֶן הַמִּשְׁחָה:
the continual [daily] meal offering. His duty was to issue orders, to urge [the other workers] so that it be sacrificed at the time of their encampment.   ומנחת התמיד.  עָלָיו מֻטָּל לְצַוּוֹת וּלְזָרֵז וּלְהַקְרִיב בְּעֵת חֲנִיָּתָן (תלמוד ירושלמי שבת פ"י):
the charge for the entire Mishkan. He was also appointed over the load [assigned to] the children of Kohath, to direct each man as to his task and burden, and this is [what the verse means when it says] “the… Mishkan and all that is in it” - all the items mentioned above, in this section. But the burden of the sons of Gershon and Merari, which did not consist of the Holy of Holies, was by order of Ithamar, as written in the portion of Naso.   פְּקֻדַּת כָּל־הַמִּשְׁכָּן.  וְעוֹד הָיָה מְמֻנֶּה עַל מַשָּׂא בְנֵי קְהָת, לְצַוּוֹת אִישׁ עַל עֲבוֹדָתוֹ וְעַל מַשָּׂאוֹ, וְהוּא המשכן וכל אשר בו, כָּל הַסְּדוּרִים לְמַעְלָה בְּפָרָשָׁה זוֹ, אֲבָל מַשָּׂא בְנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן וּמְרָרִי שֶׁאֵינָהּ מִקֹּדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים עַל פִּי אִיתָמָר הָיָה, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב בְּפָרָשַׁת נָשֹׂא:
17The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron saying:   יזוַיְדַבֵּ֣ר יְהוָֹ֔ה אֶל־משֶׁ֥ה וְאֶל־אַֽהֲרֹ֖ן לֵאמֹֽר:
18Do not cause the tribe of the families of Kohath to be cut off from among the Levites.   יחאַל־תַּכְרִ֕יתוּ אֶת־שֵׁ֖בֶט מִשְׁפְּחֹ֣ת הַקְּהָתִ֑י מִתּ֖וֹךְ הַֽלְוִיִּֽם:
Do not cause… to be cut off. Do not cause them to die.   אַל־תַּכְרִיתוּ.  אַל תִּגְרְמוּ לָהֶם שֶׁיָּמוּתוּ:
19Do this for them, so they should live and not die, when they approach the Holy of Holies. Aaron and his sons shall first come and appoint each man individually to his task and his load.   יטוְזֹ֣את | עֲשׂ֣וּ לָהֶ֗ם וְחָיוּ֙ וְלֹ֣א יָמֻ֔תוּ בְּגִשְׁתָּ֖ם אֶת־קֹ֣דֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁ֑ים אַֽהֲרֹ֤ן וּבָנָיו֙ יָבֹ֔אוּ וְשָׂמ֣וּ אוֹתָ֗ם אִ֥ישׁ אִ֛ישׁ עַל־עֲבֹֽדָת֖וֹ וְאֶל־מַשָּׂאֽוֹ:
20They shall not come in to see when the holy [vessels] are being wrapped up, lest they die.   כוְלֹֽא־יָבֹ֧אוּ לִרְא֛וֹת כְּבַלַּ֥ע אֶת־הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ וָמֵֽתוּ:
They shall not come in to see when the holy [vessels] are being wrapped up. In their covering, as I explained above in this section: They shall spread such and such a cloth over it, and cover it with such and such a cover. The wrapping up of it [mentioned here] is identical with the covering [mentioned above].   וְלֹֽא־יָבֹאוּ לִרְאוֹת כְּבַלַּע אֶת־הַקֹּדֶשׁ.  לְתוֹךְ נַרְתֵּק שֶׁלּוֹ, כְּמוֹ שֶׁפֵּרַשְׁתִּי לְמַעְלָה בְּפָרָשָׁה זוֹ, וּפָרְשׂוּ עָלָיו בֶּגֶד פְּלוֹנִי וְכִסּוּ אוֹתוֹ בְּמִכְסֶה פְּלוֹנִי, וּבִלּוּעַ שֶׁלּוֹ הוּא כִסּוּיוֹ:
21The Lord spoke to Moses saying:   כאוַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהוָֹ֖ה אֶל־משֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר:
22Take a census of the sons of Gershon, of them too, following their fathers' houses, according to their families.   כבנָשׂ֗א אֶת־רֹ֛אשׁ בְּנֵ֥י גֵֽרְשׁ֖וֹן גַּם־הֵ֑ם לְבֵ֥ית אֲבֹתָ֖ם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽם:
Take a census of the sons of Gershon, of them too. As I commanded you with regards to the children of Kohath, to see how many there are who have reached the category of [those fit for] service.   נָשׂא אֶת־רֹאשׁ בְּנֵי גֵֽרְשׁוֹן גַּם־הֵם.  כְּמוֹ שֶׁצִּוִּיתִיךָ עַל בְּנֵי קְהָת, לִרְאוֹת כַּמָּה יֵשׁ שֶׁהִגִּיעוּ לִכְלַל עֲבוֹדָה:
23From the age of thirty years and upward, until the age of fifty years you shall count them, all who come to join the legion, to perform service in the Tent of Meeting.   כגמִבֶּן֩ שְׁלשִׁ֨ים שָׁנָ֜ה וָמַ֗עְלָה עַ֛ד בֶּן־חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה תִּפְקֹ֣ד אוֹתָ֑ם כָּל־הַבָּא֨ לִצְבֹ֣א צָבָ֔א לַֽעֲבֹ֥ד עֲבֹדָ֖ה בְּאֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד:
24This is the service of the Gershonite families to serve and to carry.   כדזֹ֣את עֲבֹדַ֔ת מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת הַגֵּֽרְשֻׁנִּ֑י לַֽעֲבֹ֖ד וּלְמַשָּֽׂא:
25They shall carry the curtains of the Mishkan and the Tent of Meeting, its covering and the tachash skin covering overlaid upon it, and the screen for the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.   כהוְנָ֨שְׂא֜וּ אֶת־יְרִיעֹ֤ת הַמִּשְׁכָּן֙ וְאֶת־אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֔ד מִכְסֵ֕הוּ וּמִכְסֵ֛ה הַתַּ֥חַשׁ אֲשֶׁר־עָלָ֖יו מִלְמָ֑עְלָה וְאֶ֨ת־מָסַ֔ךְ פֶּ֖תַח אֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד:
the curtains of the Mishkan. The ten lower ones.   אֶת־יְרִיעֹת הַמִּשְׁכָּן.  עֶשֶׂר תַּחְתּוֹנוֹת:
and the Tent of Meeting. The curtains of goat hair made as a tent over it.   וְאֶת־אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד.  יְרִיעֹת עִזִּים הָעֲשׂוּיוֹת לְאֹהֶל עָלָיו:
its covering. The ram skins dyed red.   מִכְסֵהוּ.  עוֹרוֹת אֵילִים מְאָדָּמִים:
the screen for the entrance. The screen on the east side.   מָסַךְ פֶּתַח.  וִילוֹן הַמִּזְרָחִי:
26The hangings of the courtyard, the screen at the entrance of the gate of the courtyard which is around the Mishkan and the altar, their ropes, all the work involved, and everything that is made for them, and thus shall they serve.   כווְאֵת֩ קַלְעֵ֨י הֶֽחָצֵ֜ר וְאֶת־מָסַ֣ךְ | פֶּ֣תַח | שַׁ֣עַר הֶֽחָצֵ֗ר אֲשֶׁ֨ר עַל־הַמִּשְׁכָּ֤ן וְעַל־הַמִּזְבֵּ֨חַ֙ סָבִ֔יב וְאֵת֨ מֵֽיתְרֵיהֶ֔ם וְאֶת־כָּל־כְּלֵ֖י עֲבֹֽדָתָ֑ם וְאֵ֨ת כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֧ר יֵֽעָשֶׂ֛ה לָהֶ֖ם וְעָבָֽדוּ:
which are around the Mishkan. That is to say, the hangings and the screen of the courtyard, which shelter and protect the Mishkan and the copper altar all around.   אֲשֶׁר עַל־הַמִּשְׁכָּן.  כְּלוֹמַר הַקְּלָעִים וְהַמָּסָךְ שֶׁל חָצֵר, הַסּוֹכְכִים וּמְגִנִּים עַל הַמִּשְׁכָּן וְעַל מִזְבַּח הַנְּחֹשֶׁת סָבִיב:
and everything that is made for them. As the Targum [understands it]: everything that is given over to them, that is, to the sons of Gershon.   וְאֵת כָּל־אֲשֶׁר יֵֽעָשֶׂה לָהֶם.  כְּתַרְגּוּמוֹ "וְיָת כָּל דִּי יִתְּמְסַר לְהוֹן" — לִבְנֵי גֵּרְשׁוֹן:
27All the service of the sons of Gershon shall be by the instruction of Aaron and his sons, regarding all their burden and all their service. You shall designate their entire burden as their charge.   כזעַל־פִּ֩י אַֽהֲרֹ֨ן וּבָנָ֜יו תִּֽהְיֶ֗ה כָּל־עֲבֹדַת֙ בְּנֵ֣י הַגֵּֽרְשֻׁנִּ֔י לְכָ֨ל־מַשָּׂאָ֔ם וּלְכֹ֖ל עֲבֹֽדָתָ֑ם וּפְקַדְתֶּ֤ם עֲלֵהֶם֙ בְּמִשְׁמֶ֔רֶת אֵ֖ת כָּל־מַשָּׂאָֽם:
by the instruction of Aaron and his sons. Which of the sons was appointed over them? [The answer is:] “under the supervision of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest” (verse 28).   עַל־פִּי אהרון וּבָנָיו.  וְאֵיזֶה מֵהַבָּנִים מְמֻנֶּה עֲלֵיהֶם? ביד איתמר בן אהרון הכהן:
28This is the service of the families of the sons of Gershon in the Tent of Meeting, and their charge, which was under the supervision of Ithamar, the son of Aaron the kohen.   כחזֹ֣את עֲבֹדַ֗ת מִשְׁפְּחֹ֛ת בְּנֵ֥י הַגֵּֽרְשֻׁנִּ֖י בְּאֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד וּמִ֨שְׁמַרְתָּ֔ם בְּיַד֙ אִֽיתָמָ֔ר בֶּן־אַֽהֲרֹ֖ן הַכֹּהֵֽן:
29[As for] the sons of Merari, you shall count them by their families, according to their fathers' houses.   כטבְּנֵ֖י מְרָרִ֑י לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֥ם לְבֵית־אֲבֹתָ֖ם תִּפְקֹ֥ד אֹתָֽם:
30From the age of thirty years and upward until the age of fifty years, you shall count them, all who come to the legion, to perform service in the Tent of Meeting.   למִבֶּן֩ שְׁלשִׁ֨ים שָׁנָ֜ה וָמַ֗עְלָה וְעַ֛ד בֶּן־חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה תִּפְקְדֵ֑ם כָּל־הַבָּא֙ לַצָּבָ֔א לַֽעֲבֹ֕ד אֶת־עֲבֹדַ֖ת אֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד:
31This is the charge of their burden for all their service in the Tent of Meeting: the planks of the Mishkan, its bars, its pillars, and its sockets.   לאוְזֹאת֙ מִשְׁמֶ֣רֶת מַשָּׂאָ֔ם לְכָל־עֲבֹֽדָתָ֖ם בְּאֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד קַרְשֵׁי֙ הַמִּשְׁכָּ֔ן וּבְרִיחָ֖יו וְעַמּוּדָ֥יו וַֽאֲדָנָֽיו:
32The pillars of the surrounding courtyard, their sockets, their pegs, and their ropes, all their implements for all the work involved. You shall designate by name the implements charged to them for their burden.   לבוְעַמּוּדֵי֩ הֶֽחָצֵ֨ר סָבִ֜יב וְאַדְנֵיהֶ֗ם וִיתֵֽדֹתָם֙ וּמֵ֣יתְרֵיהֶ֔ם לְכָ֨ל־כְּלֵיהֶ֔ם וּלְכֹ֖ל עֲבֹֽדָתָ֑ם וּבְשֵׁמֹ֣ת תִּפְקְד֔וּ אֶת־כְּלֵ֖י מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶת מַשָּׂאָֽם:
pegs and ropes. of the pillars, since the pegs and ropes of the hangings were included in the burden assigned to the sons of Gershon. There were pegs and ropes for the bottom of the curtains and the hangings so that the wind should not lift them up, and there were pegs and ropes for the pillars all around, from which to hang the hangings from their upper edge with poles and rods, as was taught in [the Baraitha] Melecheth HaMishkan. — [ch. 5]   וִיתֵֽדֹתָם וּמֵיתְרֵיהֶם.  שֶׁל עַמּוּדִים; שֶׁהֲרֵי יִתְדוֹת וּמֵיתְרֵי הַקְּלָעִים בְּמַשָּׂא בְנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן הָיוּ, וִיתֵדוֹת וּמֵיתָרִים הָיוּ לַיְרִיעוֹת וְלַקְּלָעִים מִלְּמַטָּה, שֶׁלֹּא תַגְבִּיהֵם הָרוּחַ, וִיתֵדוֹת וּמֵיתָרִים הָיוּ לָעַמּוּדִים סָבִיב לִתְלוֹת בָּהֶם הַקְּלָעִים בִּשְׂפָתָם הָעֶלְיוֹנָה בִּכְלוּנְסוֹת וְקוּנְדָּסִין, כְּמוֹ שֶׁשְּׁנוּיָה בִמְלֶאכֶת הַמִּשְׁכָּן:
33This is the service of the families of the sons of Merari for all their service in the Tent of Meeting, which was under the supervision of Ithamar the son of Aaron the kohen.   לגזֹ֣את עֲבֹדַ֗ת מִשְׁפְּחֹת֙ בְּנֵ֣י מְרָרִ֔י לְכָל־עֲבֹֽדָתָ֖ם בְּאֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד בְּיַד֙ אִֽיתָמָ֔ר בֶּֽן־אַֽהֲרֹ֖ן הַכֹּהֵֽן:
34Moses, Aaron, and the chieftains of the congregation counted the sons of the Kohathites, according to their families and their fathers' houses.   לדוַיִּפְקֹ֨ד משֶׁ֧ה וְאַֽהֲרֹ֛ן וּנְשִׂיאֵ֥י הָֽעֵדָ֖ה אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י הַקְּהָתִ֑י לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם וּלְבֵ֥ית אֲבֹתָֽם:
35From the age of thirty years and upward, until the age of fifty years, all who come to the legion, for service in the Tent of Meeting.   להמִבֶּ֨ן שְׁלשִׁ֤ים שָׁנָה֙ וָמַ֔עְלָה וְעַ֖ד בֶּן־חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה כָּל־הַבָּא֙ לַצָּבָ֔א לַֽעֲבֹדָ֖ה בְּאֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד:
36Their tally, according to their families: two thousand, seven hundred and fifty.   לווַיִּֽהְי֥וּ פְקֻֽדֵיהֶ֖ם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם אַלְפַּ֕יִם שְׁבַ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת וַֽחֲמִשִּֽׁים:
37These are the numbers of the Kohathite families, all who served in the Tent of Meeting, who were counted by Moses and Aaron as directed by the Lord to Moses.   לזאֵ֤לֶּה פְקוּדֵי֙ מִשְׁפְּחֹ֣ת הַקְּהָתִ֔י כָּל־הָֽעֹבֵ֖ד בְּאֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד אֲשֶׁ֨ר פָּקַ֤ד משֶׁה֙ וְאַֽהֲרֹ֔ן עַל־פִּ֥י יְהוָֹ֖ה בְּיַד־משֶֽׁה:
38The tally of the sons of Gershon, according to their families and their fathers' houses.   לחוּפְקוּדֵ֖י בְּנֵ֣י גֵֽרְשׁ֑וֹן לְמִשְׁפְּחוֹתָ֖ם וּלְבֵ֥ית אֲבֹתָֽם:
39From the age of thirty years and upward, until the age of fifty years, all who come to the legion, for service in the Tent of Meeting.   לטמִבֶּ֨ן שְׁלשִׁ֤ים שָׁנָה֙ וָמַ֔עְלָה וְעַ֖ד בֶּן־חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה כָּל־הַבָּא֙ לַצָּבָ֔א לַֽעֲבֹדָ֖ה בְּאֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד:
40Their total, according to their families and their fathers' houses: two thousand, six hundred and thirty.   מוַיִּֽהְיוּ֙ פְּקֻ֣דֵיהֶ֔ם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם לְבֵ֣ית אֲבֹתָ֑ם אַלְפַּ֕יִם וְשֵׁ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת וּשְׁלשִֽׁים:
41These are the numbers of the families of the sons of Gershon, all who served in the Tent of Meeting, whom Moses and Aaron counted as directed by the Lord.   מאאֵ֣לֶּה פְקוּדֵ֗י מִשְׁפְּחֹת֙ בְּנֵ֣י גֵֽרְשׁ֔וֹן כָּל־הָֽעֹבֵ֖ד בְּאֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד אֲשֶׁ֨ר פָּקַ֥ד משֶׁ֛ה וְאַֽהֲרֹ֖ן עַל־פִּ֥י יְהוָֹֽה:
42The tally of the families of the sons of Merari, according to their families and their fathers' houses.   מבוּפְקוּדֵ֕י מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת בְּנֵ֣י מְרָרִ֑י לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם לְבֵ֥ית אֲבֹתָֽם:
43From the age of thirty years and upward, until the age of fifty years, all who come to the legion, for work in the Tent of Meeting.   מגמִבֶּ֨ן שְׁלשִׁ֤ים שָׁנָה֙ וָמַ֔עְלָה וְעַ֖ד בֶּן־חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה כָּל־הַבָּא֙ לַצָּבָ֔א לַֽעֲבֹדָ֖ה בְּאֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד:
44Their tally, according to their families: three thousand two hundred.   מדוַיִּהְי֥וּ פְקֻֽדֵיהֶ֖ם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם שְׁל֥שֶׁת אֲלָפִ֖ים וּמָאתָֽיִם:
45These are the numbers of the families of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron counted as directed by the Lord to Moses.   מהאֵ֣לֶּה פְקוּדֵ֔י מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת בְּנֵ֣י מְרָרִ֑י אֲשֶׁ֨ר פָּקַ֤ד משֶׁה֙ וְאַֽהֲרֹ֔ן עַל־פִּ֥י יְהוָֹ֖ה בְּיַד־משֶֽׁה:
46All the numbers whom by Moses, Aaron, and the chieftains of Israel counted the Levites according to their families and their fathers' houses,   מוכָּל־הַפְּקֻדִ֡ים אֲשֶׁר֩ פָּקַ֨ד משֶׁ֧ה וְאַֽהֲרֹ֛ן וּנְשִׂיאֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל אֶת־הַֽלְוִיִּ֑ם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם וּלְבֵ֥ית אֲבֹתָֽם:
47from the age of thirty years and upward until the age of fifty years, who are fit to perform the service for the service and the work of carrying, in the Tent of Meeting.   מזמִבֶּ֨ן שְׁלשִׁ֤ים שָׁנָה֙ וָמַ֔עְלָה וְעַ֖ד בֶּן־חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה כָּל־הַבָּ֗א לַֽעֲבֹ֨ד עֲבֹדַ֧ת עֲבֹדָ֛ה וַֽעֲבֹדַ֥ת מַשָּׂ֖א בְּאֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד:
to perform the service for the service. This refers to the music with cymbals and harps, which is a service for another service [the sacrifices].   עֲבֹדַת עֲבֹדָה.  הִיא הַשִּׁיר בִּמְצִלְתַּיִם וְכִנּוֹרוֹת, שֶׁהִיא עֲבוֹדָה לַעֲבוֹדָה אַחֶרֶת (ערכין י"א):
and the work of carrying. As it [the phrase] means literally.   וַֽעֲבֹדַת מַשָּׂא.  כְּמַשְׁמָעוֹ:
48Their tally: eight thousand, five hundred and eighty.   מחוַיִּֽהְי֖וּ פְּקֻֽדֵיהֶ֑ם שְׁמֹנַ֣ת אֲלָפִ֔ים וַֽחֲמֵ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת וּשְׁמֹנִֽים:
49As directed by the Lord, they were appointed by Moses, each man to his service and his burden; they were counted as the Lord had commanded Moses.   מטעַל־פִּ֨י יְהוָֹ֜ה פָּקַ֤ד אוֹתָם֙ בְּיַד־משֶׁ֔ה אִ֥ישׁ אִ֛ישׁ עַל־עֲבֹֽדָת֖וֹ וְעַל־מַשָּׂא֑וֹ וּפְקֻדָ֕יו אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֥ה יְהוָֹ֖ה אֶת־משֶֽׁה:
They were counted as the Lord had commanded Moses. Those that were counted were as commanded, from the age of thirty years until the age of fifty years.   וּפְקֻדָיו אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּה ה' אֶת־משֶׁה.  וְאוֹתָן הַפְּקוּדִים הָיוּ בְמִּצְוָה מִבֶּן שְׁלֹשִׁים שָׁנָה וְעַד בֶּן חֲמִשִּׁים: