Book of Bamidbar

Book of Bamidbar (Numbers)(3rd Book of the Torah)

Bullet Point Summaries of each Torah portion (parashat) in the book of Bamidbar

Bamidbar Parashot (Portions)(10)

1. Bamidbar “In the Wilderness”
2. Nasso “Make an Accounting”
3. Beha’alotcha “When You Set Up”
4. Shelach “Send You”
5. Korach “Baldness”
6. Chukat “Statute”
7. Balak “Who Lays Waste”
8. Pi’nechas “Mouth of Copper”
9. Mattot “Tribes”
10. Massei “Journeys”

Bamidbar Parashat Summary (Numbers 1:1 – 4:20 , Hosea 2:1 – 22)

• – Numbering of Yisra’el
• – Assembling and numbering of the tribes for the men of war
• – Arranging tribes by standard and location by temple
• – Levites given to Aharon instead of Firstborn (Redemption of Firstborn)
• – Charges and Duties Given to Levites
• – Laws for moving the Tabernacle and Camp
• – Haftarah – Prophecy of Northern house of Yisra’el being scattered and returned

Nasso Parashat Summary (Num 4:21 – 7:89 , Judges 13:2 – 25)

• Elohim Commands Moshe to count all of the sons of Gershom, Merari, Kehati, and Levi
  who are able to serve in the tabernacle
• Gershom is put in charge of the tabernacle coverings
• Merari is put in charge of the boards and the framework of the tabernacle
• All the people with leprosy, issues, and those defiled by the dead are sent outside the camp
• The law of trespasses is given
• The laws of Jealousy are given
• The law of the Natzari vow is given
• The Aharonic blessing is given
• The Altar is dedicated by the 12 princes over 12 days
• Haftarah – talks about the promise of Shimson

Beha’alot’cha Parashat Summary (Num 8:1 – 12:16 , Zechariah 2:14 – 4:7)

• The lighting of the Menorah
• Cleansing of the Levi
• Levi replacing the firstborn
• Pesach remembered
• 2nd Pesach ordinance
• The Shekhinah ordinances for moving
• Sound of the Trumpets explained
• Blessing for those around Israel
• Complaining of some of the children of Israel about the manna
• Elders gathered and Spirit given
• Curse of the complaining with quail
• Miryam and Aharon complain
• Servant like Moshe
• Miryam punished with leperosy for seven days
• Haftarah – Vision of High Priest

Shelach Parashat Summary (Num 13:1 – 15:41 , Joshua 2:1 – 24)

• Moshe commanded to send princes of the tribes to search out Kena’an
• Moshe tells the spies what to look for in Kena’an
• The spies went to Eshkol and took grapes, pomegranates, and figs to bring back
• The spies brought back fruit and said the land is good but the people are strong who live there
• Kalev tells the people they should go in and posses it
• Some princes said the land eats the inhabitants and the giants are too strong
• The people murmered and wanted to return to Egypt
• Moshe and Aharon prayed and Yahushua and Kalev rent their clothes
• Yahushua and Kalev told the people not to rebel but they wanted to stone them
• YHWH tells Moshe He will destroy Yisra’el and make a nation from him
• Moshe pleads for YHWH not to destroy Yisra’el
• YHWH pardons them but says only Kalev and Yahushua shall go into the promised land
• YHWH tells them they will wander and die in the wilderness for 40 years but their children
  shall go in
• The men who brought back the evil report died by a plague
• The people mourned and then wanted to go in and Moshe warned them not to
• The people went and were destroyed by the Ameleki and Kena’ani
• The minkha and the drink offering of the lamb is taught
• The minkha and the drink offering of the ram is taught
• The minkha and the drink offering of the bullock is taught
• One law shall be for you and the stranger who sojourns with you
• When you come into the land you shall offer a heave offering of the first dough
• The offering of the sins of ignorance for the congregation is taught
• The offering of the person who sins through ignorance is taught
• The soul who sins presumptuously shall be cut off from his people
• The children of Yisra’el found a man gathering wood on the sabbath and they stoned him
• The command to make and wear tzi tzis is given
• Haftarah – Rachav saves the 2 spies sent to spy out the land and her whole family is spared

Korach Parashat Summary (Num 16:1 – 18:32 , 1 Samuel 11:14 – 12:22)

• Korach, Datan, and Aviram gathered 250 men against Moshe and Aharon
• Moshe tells the men to meet before YHWH and He will choose who is holy to Him
• Moshe tells Korach he has lightly esteemed what YHWH has given him
• Datan and Aviram accuse Moshe of forcing them to be his followers
• Moshe told Korach to bring his men and come before YHWH with censers tomorrow
• All the men, Moshe, and Aharon gathered at the door with incense in their censers
• YHWH tells Moshe and Aharon to separate from the men so He may consume them
• YHWH tells the people to separate from Korach, Datan, and Aviram
• Moshe said if the Earth opens up and swallows them then YHWH has sent me
• The Earth opened up and swallowed them, Korach and all their households
• Fire came out and consumed the 250 men
• YHWH told Moshe to take the censers of them that died and make a covering for the altar
• The people complained that Moshe and Aharon killed the people of YHWH
• YHWH plagued the people but Aharon and Moshe interceded and stopped the plague
• YHWH commanded that the leaders of each tribe bring a rod with their name and He shall
  choose one
• Aharon’s rod blossomed because he was YHWH’s chosen one
• Then the people feared and Moshe told them they shall still serve but not in all things
• YHWH tells Aharon all the things that shall be his and the Levi’im’s from the offerings
• YHWH tells Aharon they shall have no inheritance in the land but He shall be their
  inheritance
• The tithe shall be the Levi’im’s and they shall offer a tenth of it to YHWH
• Haftarah – Shemu’el tells the people they have sinned and returned many times and now they
  ask for a king and it angered YHWH

Chukat Parashat Summary (Num 19:1 – 22:1 , Judges 11:1 – 33)

• The law of the red heifer sacrifice is given
• The laws of purification for touching a dead body are given
• A clean person shall sprinkle the one defiled with the water of seperation on the 3rd and 7th
  day
• Miryam dies in Kadesh
• The people complain about not having water
• YHWH commands Moshe to take the rod and speak to the rock and it shall bring forth water
• Moshe told the people they were rebels and smote the rock twice and water came forth
• YHWH told Moshe and Aharon because they didn’t believe Him they would not bring the
  people into the land
• Moshe asks Edom if Yisra’el can pass through their land but Edom refused
• YHWH told Aharon he shall die on Mt. Hor for rebelling and El’azar his son shall replace him
• King Arad the Kena’ani fought against Yisra’el
• Yisra’el vowed to destroy them and YHWH delivered them into their hand
• The people murmered against the food, water, and the manna
• YHWH sent fiery serpents among them and many died
• YHWH commanded Moshe to make the nahushtan
• The journeys of the children of Yisra’el
• Yisra’el went to Be’er and sang a song by the well
• Yisra’el asked to pass through the land of the Amori but they refused
• Sichon fought with Yisra’el and was destroyed
• Og King of Bashan came against Yisra’el and was destroyed
• Haftarah – Yiftach fights the King of Ammon who wants to take back the land of the Ammoni

Balak Parashat Summary (Num 22:2 – 25:9 , Micah 5:6 – 6:8)

• Balak King of Moav feared Yisra’el and sent for Bil’am to curse them
• Bil’am told his men to wait and he asked YHWH who told him not to go and not to curse them
• Balak sent again to Bil’am more honorable men but Bil’am said he cannot go beyond the word
  of YHWH
• Bil’am asked YHWH again and He said if the men call to you, go with them
• Bil’am went with the men though they didn’t call him and YHWH was angered
• The donkey saw the angel and sword in the way and turned and Bil’am smote him
• The angel stood in the vineyard and the donkey thrust Bil’am into the wall and he smote the
  donkey
• The angel stood in the narrow place and the donkey fell down and Bil’am smote him
• YHWH opened the mouth of the donkey and he asked why Bil’am smote him and YHWH
  showed Bilam the angel
• The angel said if it wasn’t for the donkey he would have smote him
• Bil’am asked if the angel wanted him to go back and he said no but speak the word I give you
• Balak aksed why Bil’am didn’t come and Bil’am said he cannot do anything but what YHWH
  tells him
• Balak took Bil’am to the high places and Bil’am had him build 7 altars and sacrifice on them
• Bil’am spoke to Elohim and then told Balak he cannot curse who Elohim does not curse and
  he blessed Yisra’el
• Balak asked why he didn’t curse them and Bil’am said he can only speak what YHWH tells him
• Balak took him to another high place to curse them and Bil’am had him build 7 altars and
  sacrifice in them
• Bilam spoke to YHWH and blessed Yisra’el again
• Balak told Bil’am not to curse or bless them but Bil’am said he can only speak what YHWH
  tells him
• Balak took him to another high place to curse Yisra’el and Bil’am had him build 7 altars and
  sacrifice on them
• The spirit of Elohim came upon Bil’am and he blessed Yisra’el again
• Balak was angry saying he was going to promote Bil’am to honor but YHWH has kept him
  from it
• Bil’am told Balak what will happen to his people in the latter days
• Yisra’el joined with the daughters of Moav and worshipped their elohim and YHWH was
  angered
• YHWH told Moshe to slay all those who worshipped Ba’al-Pe’or
• Pinchas slew the man who had the Midyanite woman and her and the plague was stopped
• Haftarah – YHWH shall cleanse and restore His people and they must turn to Him with their
  whole heart

Pi’nechas Parashat Summary (Num 25:10 – 29:40 , 1 Kings 18:46 – 19:21)

• Pi’nechas is given the covenant of peace from YHWH for slaying Zimri and Kozbi
• YHWH commands Moshe to vex and smite the Midyanim
• Moshe is commanded to number Yisra’el for war
• The children of Yisra’el are numbered for war
• The number of men over 20 was 601,730
• The land shall be divided by lot and by size
• The families of the Levi’im were numbered
• Moshe numbers all the people and there was none from the numbering at Sinai except Kalev
  and Yahushua
• The daughters of Tzelohchad pleaded to Moshe for an inheritance
• YHWH tells Moshe the laws of inheritance
• YHWH tells Moshe the see the promised land from mount Aviram then he shall die
• Moshe asked YHWH to set a man over Yisra’el to replace him
• YHWH told Moshe Yahushua shall replace him as leader of Yisra’el
• The law of the continual daily offering is given
• The law of the special offerings for the sabbath are given
• The law of the special offerings for the new moon are given
• The law for the special offerings for Pesach and the Feast of Unleavened Bread are given
• The law of the special offerings of Shavuot are given
• The law of the special offerings of Yom Teruah are given
• The law of the special offerings of Yom Kippur are given
• The law of special offerings for Sukkot are given
• Haftarah – Eliyahu fled for his life and YHWH fed him and instrcted him to appoint 2 Kings
  and a prophet

Mattot-Massei Parashot (Regular Double Parashat) (Num 30:1 – 36:13 , Jeremiah 2:4 – 28, 3:4)

• YHWH commands Yisra’el to keep their word if they make a vow
• If a woman living in her father’s house make a vow when he hears it he may disallow it or let it stand if he says nothing
• When a woman’s husband hears of a vow his wife made he may disallow it or if he says nothing it shall stand
• If a widow or divorced woman makes a vow it shall stand
• If a husband hears his wife’s vows and does nothing and then later disallows them he shall bear her lawlessness
• Moshe sends 1000 from every tribe to make war with Midyan
• Yisra’el destroys Midyan and their cities and takes their women captive
• Moshe was angry and told them to kill all male children and women who have known a man
• The men of war are commanded to be purified outside the camp and to purify all the spoil
• YHWH commands Moshe to divide the spoil in two for those who went to war and the congregation and to give portions for the Levi’im
• The men of war all offered an oblation of their spoils because not one died among them
• The children of Re’uven and Gad ask to inherit the cattle land on this side of Yarden and they shall fight with Yisra’el until they inherit their land
• Moshe makes a vow with the children of Re’uven Gad, and Menasheh, that if they help Yisra’el in war they may inherit Gil’ad
• The children of Re’uven, Gad, and Menasheh build their cities in the land of Gil’ad
• The journeys of Yisra’el from Egypt to Yarden are retold
• YHWH commands when they go in to possess the land they must destroy the people, images, and high places or YHWH will do it to them
• YHWH tells Moshe the borders of the land given to them
• YHWH tells Moshe who to put in charge from each tribe for the dividing of the inheritance
• The Levitical cities and cities for the manslayer are commanded to be set up
• Anyone who kills a man on accident shall flee to the cities of refuge until they are judged
• If the killing is proved to be an accident he shall stay in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest
• You shall not take money for the life of a murderer or to let the man out of the city of refuge lest you pollute the land
• Daughters receiving an inheritance shall marry in their father’s tribe so the inheritance doesn’t leave the tribe
• Haftarah – Izevel threatens Eliyahu, he hides and messenger of God visits him twice with food and drink, Elisha appointed in his place

Mattot Parashat Summary (Single Parashat Read Every 3rd Year instead of the Double Parashat) (Num 30:1 – 32:42 , Jeremiah 1:1 – 2:3)

• YHWH command Yisra’el to keep their word if they make a vow
• If a woman living in her father’s house make a vow when he hears it he may disallow it or let it
  stand if he says nothing
• When a woman’s husband hears of a vow his wife made he may disallow it or if he says
  nothing it shall stand
• If a widow or divorced woman makes a vow it shall stand
• If a husband hears his wife’s vows and does nothing and then later disallows them he shall
  bear her lawlessness
• Moshe sends 1000 from every tribe to make war with Midyan
• Yisra’el destroys Midyan and their cities and takes their women captive
• Moshe was angry and told them to kill all male children and women who have known a man
• The men of war are commanded to be purified outside the camp and to purify all the spoil
• YHWH commands Moshe to divide the spoil in two for those who went to war and the
  congregation and to give portions for the Levi’im
• The men of war all offered an oblation of their spoils because not one died among them
• The children of Re’uven and Gad ask to inherit the cattle land on this side of Yarden and they
  shall fight with Yisra’el until they inherit their land
• Moshe makes a vow with the children of Re’uven Gad, and Menasheh, that if they help Yisra’el
  in war they may inherit Gil’ad
• The children of Re’uven, Gad, and Menasheh build their cities in the land of Gil’ad
• Haftarah – Yermeyahu is told he shall be a prophet and he shall go and tell Yahurushalayim what will happen to them

Massei Parashat Summary (Single Parashat Read Every 3rd Year Instead of the Double Parashat) (Num 33:1 – 36:13 , Jeremiah 2:4 – 28; 3:4, 4:1-2)

• The journeys of Yisra’el from Egypt to Yarden are retold
• YHWH commands when they go in to possess the land they must destroy the people, images,
  and high places or YHWH will do it to them
• YHWH tells Moshe the borders of the land given to them
• YHWH tells Moshe who to put in charge from each tribe for the dividing of the inheritance
• The Levitical cities and cities for the manslayer are commanded to be set up
• Anyone who kills a man on accident shall flee to the cities of refuge until they are judged
• If the killing is proved to be an accident he shall stay in the city of refuge until the death of the
  high priest
• You shall not take money for the life of a murderer or to let the man out of the city of refuge
  lest you pollute the land
• Daughters receiving an inheritance shall marry in their father’s tribe so the inheritance
  doesn’t leave the tribe
• Haftarah – YHWH shows Yisra’el how their own actions have brought destruction to them