When is First Really First?

B’midbar

Num. 1:1 - 4:20

Précis: B’midbar is an interesting amalgamation of the narrative of wilderness wanderings (including the stories of the spies, Korah’s rebellion, Balaam’s donkey, and the sin of Moses), sacrificial requirements, the establishment of Israel’s moving camp, and census data.

                As B’midbar (“in the wilderness”) begins, Moses is directed to take a census (“take the number”) from which the English name (Numbers) of the Book derives. A detailed listing of the numbers of each tribe follows; each tribe is apportioned a particular location in the camp. A listing of the Levitical families then follows, together with the beginning of a discussion of their duties.                

                B’midbar, according to Rabbi Plaut, continues the narrative from Exodus (which was largely interrupted by Leviticus), and begins about a year after the liberation, covering the wandering in the desert. He notes that details are provided for only the first and last years, with the “middle” 38 left mostly to our imaginations. The focus of the Book appears to “point to this moment when Israel is poised to take possession of its inheritance.” 

Num. 3:13 “On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated for my own all the firstborn in Israel, both of man and of beast. They shall be mine: I am the LORD.”

            These verses remind us that the first-born (b’chor) is to be “given” to God’s service. This is the basis for our custom of redeeming first born sons from a Kohain (usually when the boy is about 30 days old). The redemption of the first born (pidyon ha-ben) is a symbolical reenactment of this ancient commandment.

             Much of the detail surround the “b’chor” was initially discussed in Exodus 13:1-2, which states that the “first issue” of every womb, human and animal alike, is to be consecrated (for an offering) to the Eternal. In Exodus 22:28-29, we learn that the first yield of the vats, along with the firstborn sons and animals, are part of the b'chor.

            The Talmud explains that a son qualifies as a b'chor only if he is the “petter rechem” (the first to emerge from the womb) (BT, B'chorot 46a). Thus, if a daughter or miscarriage precedes the birth of the son, the obligation for redemption does not apply. A b’chor also has a responsibility to fast on the day before Passover, in solidarity (or in recognition) of the slaying of the Egyptian first-born.

            And now, a bit of personal history which relates to this custom. When I was 13 and preparing to fast for the first time on the day before Passover (being a first born son), my grandfather took me aside and explained that I was not supposed to fast because before I was born, my mother suffered a miscarriage and then had given birth to a premature infant who died within a day of his birth. I was not a “petter rechem.” Asa you might imagine, this was shocking news to me, having never heard about this part of my family history.I've always been a bit haunted wondering what it would have been like to have had a big brother.

            I relate this vignette because it resonates with me and connects my own life with biblical times. I ask you to consider whether there are any biblical elements which impact on your own life in a meaningful and significant way.