Why the Tribe of Levi Was Counted from One Month Old

Another interpretation (of Numbers 3:15): "Number the sons of Levi." But in another place it is written, "Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number, and you shall not take a census of them" (Numbers 1:49). Rather, the Holy One, blessed be He, said: Since they gave their souls for My sake, go and count them by themselves. And when did they give their souls for the Holy One, blessed be He? At the hour when Israel did that deed, as it is said, "And Moses stood in the gate of the camp [and said: Whoever is for the Lord, to me! And all the sons of Levi gathered to him]" (Exodus 32:26). The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Moses: Since they stand in their blemishes, go and count them: "Number the sons of Levi." Rabbi Yehudah bar Shalom says: This tribe is accustomed to being counted by the Holy One, blessed be He, in every place, even while they are small. How do we know this? At the hour when the Holy One, blessed be He, told Jacob to go down to Egypt, at that hour He counted Israel and his sons, and they were found to be all sixty-six, [as it is said, "All the souls... were sixty-six" (Genesis 46:26)], and Joseph's two sons and Joseph—behold, seventy less one—yet He says, "All the souls of the house of Jacob who came to Egypt were seventy" (Genesis 46:27). Rav Levi said in the name of Rabbi Shmuel bar Nachman: This tribe is accustomed to the Holy One, blessed be He, counting them even while they are in their mother's womb. Rabbi Berekhyah [the Priest, son of a great one] said: This resin does not finish coming out before they collect it; so too Jochebed—her mother was pregnant with her, and she was in her mother's womb, and she was counted with her. Resh Lakish said: As her mother was entering the gate of Egypt she gave birth to her; therefore it is said "with seventy souls." And even concerning her children's children, the Holy One, blessed be He, said to Moses, "Every male from a month old and upward [you shall number them]" (Numbers 3:15). Moses said to Him: Am I able to stand and go around in their courtyards and within their houses and count each and every one of them, that You say "every male from a month old and upward"? The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Moses: You do your part, and I will do My part. Rabbi Yehudah the Levite bar Shalom said: Moses would go and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the Divine Presence would go before him and say to him: There are five infants in this tent, there are ten infants in this tent. How do we know? As it is said, "And Moses numbered them by the mouth of the Lord, as he was commanded" (Numbers 3:16)—just as the Divine Presence told him.