This week, the Children of Israel get their marching orders.  Literally.  The tribe of Judah, led by Nahshon and Amminadav, are supposed to camp (and march) on the east.  All 74,600 of them. 

Alongside them march the tribe of Yissakhar (54,400 men.)  Then Zevulun (57,400 men), then Re’uven (46,500 men), then the Mishkan (מִשְׁכָּן), or Dwelling (meaning God’s Dwelling), then Efrayim (40,500 men, led by Elishama.)…You get the idea.

This week, the Children of Israel get their marching orders.  Literally.  The tribe of Judah, led by Nahshon and Amminadav, are supposed to camp (and march) on the east.  All 74,600 of them.  Alongside them march the tribe of Yissakhar (54,400 men.)  Then Zevulun (57,400 men), then Re’uven (46,500 men), then the Mishkan (מִשְׁכָּן), or Dwelling (meaning God’s Dwelling), then Efrayim (40,500 men, led by Elishama.)…You get the idea.

Why only the men?  Because we’re counting the soldiers here.  Women didn’t fight.  Men did.

Except for the Levites.  The Levites “were not counted for battle in the midst of the Children of Israel.”

Again you ask Why?  Well, the Levites are a special case.  God tells Moses that he is taking the Levites “from the midst of the Children of Israel,” in place of the firstborn that God claimed at the time God struck down the Egyptian first born.   The Levites are not to fight.  They are the servants of the Dwelling and of God.