Why does the Torah count the B'nei Levi here, seeing as they did not receive a portion in Eretz Yisrael?
Ramban #1 and Moshav Zekenim #1: To teach us that the cities of refuge were given to them and not to the Levi'im who were born later.
Ramban #2 and Moshav Zekenim #2: In deference to the 'King's Legion' ? in order not to convey the impression that they are any less important than the other tribes. 1
Oznayim la'Torah: To determine how many cities of refuge they would need.
Ramban and Moshav Zekenim: Which it would have done had it counted the other tribes and not them.
Why does the Torah mention the fathers of the families of Levi (Gershon, K'has and Merari), even though they had no children other than those listed in the following Pasuk?
Ramban and Moshav Zekenim (on Pasuk 57): In deference to these great men who were Gedolei Yisrael (and great Tzadikim). Consequently, all the families of Gershon were called 'Mishpachas ha'Gershuni', in his honor, and similarly, the families of K'has were called 'Mishpachas ha'Kehasi' and those of Merari, 'Mishpachas ha'Merari'. 1
Oznayim la'Torah: Because, besides the individual families, Levvi was unique in that it was divided into three major branches (Batei Avos), each with its own Nasi and with its own specific tasks that it performed in tqhe Mishkan. Even the Arei Miklat of the Levi'im were divided into three and distributed to them equally by lot. 2
