Becoming a Levi

 The tribe of Levi occupied an exalted position in the Jewish community.  Within the tribe itself there was the family of Aaron, the Kohanim (loosely translated as priests), and the rest of the tribe were called the Leviyim or Levites.  

To this day Kohanim and Leviyim are recognized for their lineage.  Kohanim give the Priestly Blessings, are called to the Torah first, redeem the firstborns and are given preference in other areas of Jewish life.  Leviyim are called to the Torah right after the Kohen, are charged with washing the Kohanim’s hands before they bless the people, and are recognized as a distinct group.  

In the times when we had the Sanctuary and the Temple, in the good times when the Temple services were observed, the Leviyim had some very important functions in the Temple and throughout the land.  

One of the subjects in this week’s Parsha, Beha’alotcha, is the designation of the Leviyim and special servants of Hashem.  The Leviyim carried the Sanctuary and all its furniture and utensils through the desert.  They assisted the Kohanim in the Temple, washing their hands and offering various other support functions for the Kohanim.

(Pardon the interruption - do you like herring? Come join our thursday night Farbrengen tonight after Maariv at 3070 Louis Road)

The Leviyim were also charged with guarding the Holy Temple, locking and unlocking the gates.  They also provided the music for the Temple services, singing songs and playing instruments.  The experience of visiting the Temple and bringing offerings was in itself a very spiritual one, and with the Leviyim’s moving music it was even more uplifting.  

The Leviyim were also the teachers and spiritual guides for the people.  All the other tribes each had their own section of the land, which was divided into 12 parts.  Each tribe lived in its geographic area.  The leviyim, however, did not have any particular stretch of land.  They lived in 48 cities scattered around the country, in order for them to be available to guide and teach the people. 

They were supported by tithes that all farmers had to share with them, similar to the Kohanim who were supported by tithes.  Anyone who grew produce in Israel was obligated to give “Terumah '' to the Kohanim, followed by Ma’aser, 10% of their produce, to the Leviyim.  

As Rambam says (Mishneh Torah Shemitta 12:13):  Why did the Levites not receive a portion in the inheritance of Eretz Yisrael and in the spoils of war like their brethren? Because they were set aside to serve G-d and minister unto Him and to instruct people at large in His just paths and righteous judgments… Therefore they were set apart from the ways of the world. They do not wage war like the remainder of the Jewish people, nor do they receive an inheritance, nor do they acquire for themselves through their physical power. Instead, they are G-d's legion…

But while only genetic Leviyim are actually part of the tribe of Levi, the concept of a Levi is accessible to anyone.  As Rambam continues:  Not only the tribe of Levi, but any one of the inhabitants of the world whose spirit generously motivates him and he understands with his wisdom to set himself aside and stand before God to serve Him and minister to Him and to know God, proceeding justly as God made him, removing from his neck the yoke of the many reckonings which people seek, he is sanctified as holy of holies…

In addition to the tribe of Levi, each of us can choose to live a life dedicated to the service of Hashem and others.  Each of us can lift ourselves a little higher than the typical material life we are surrounded by and think about our mission and the higher purpose of our creation.  There is a bit of Levi in each of us, if we just recognize it and reach for it.