Selection of the Priests and Levites/2

Selection of the Priests and Levites

Exegetical Approaches

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Overview

In trying to determine when the Tribe of Levi was designated to become Priests and Levites, commentators must contend with conflicting verses, the relationship between the election of the two groups, and the connection between both and the original sanctification of the firstborns.  On one end of the spectrum, Jubilees posits that already in the Patriarchal period Yaakov elevated Levi above the other tribes, promising his descendants both positions.  As such, it is possible that the firstborns might have never played any cultic role at all.  Rashi, in contrast, delays the election of both Priests and Levites to the aftermath of the Sin of the Golden Calf.  Drawing on verses in Devarim which relate the events, he claims that though the firstborns had originally played a priestly role, they lost their status due to their participation in the sin, and were replaced by the meritorious tribe of Levi.

A middle position focuses on the description of the choosing of Aharon in Shemot 28, setting his selection prior to the story of the Calf.  According to one opinion, the Levites were chosen together with him.  In anticipation of the construction of the Mishkan, Hashem decided to centralize the various responsibilities which had originally been relegated to the firstborns and confine them to one specific tribe.  Ramban, in contrast, distinguishes the appointment of Aharon from the rest of his tribe.  He was chosen earlier, before playing any role in the episode of the Calf, while the Levites were first appointed after the Sin.  Due to their loyalty to Hashem, they merited to take on the position earlier played by the now rejected firstborns.

Before the Exodus

The tribe of Levi was singled out to be Levites and Priests already in Egypt, and was perhaps chosen even as early as the Patriarchal Period.

Sources:Jubilees30:17-2931:13-2732:1-15About Jubilees, Testament of LeviTestament of Levi 9:1-4,¹ Targum Pseudo-JonathanBereshit 32:25About Targum Pseudo-Jonathan,² TanchumaKorach 12About the Tanchuma,³ Shemot Rabbah3:17About Shemot Rabbah, R. Yosef KimchiShemuel I 2:27About R. David Kimchi

Why Levi?

• Actions in Shekhem – According to most of these sources,⁴ it was Yaakov who sanctified the tribe of Levi to serve Hashem.  Jubilees maintains that this was a reward for Levi's⁵ avenging of Dinah's honor in Shekhem.⁶
• Moshe's family – Shemot Rabbah and R"Y Kimchi, in contrast, suggest that the appointment occurred first in Egypt, with Shemot Rabbah implying that it was the elevated character of specifically Moshe's family that merited the positions.⁷  The Midrash suggests that Moshe himself was originally destined for the priesthood, while Aharon was to be a Levite, but after Moshe's repeated refusals of Hashem's mission at the burning bush, Hashem punished him by switching the roles.

"הֲנִגְלֹה נִגְלֵיתִי אֶל בֵּית אָבִיךָ...לִי לְכֹהֵן" – According to R. Yosef Kimchi, this verse in Shemuel supports the case for a pre-Exodus appointment, since it implies that, already in Egypt, Hashem revealed Himself to the House of Levi and chose them to serve him as priests.⁸ Shemot Rabbah5:16About Shemot Rabbah adds that the tribe had special status in Egypt, not sharing in the bondage of the rest of the nation.⁹

"בָּעֵת הַהִוא הִבְדִּיל י"י אֶת שֵׁבֶט הַלֵּוִי" – This verse is difficult for this approach, as it implies that the tribe was first chosen after the Sin of the Golden Calf.¹⁰  These sources might suggest that though Levi had been singled out much earlier, it was only with the finished construction of the Mishkan, after the sin, that their selection became official, with a permanent and regulated character.  Thus, it was only then that the tribe actively assumed its elevated role, with its daily acts of service.

The "כֹּהֲנִים" of Shemot 19 – This position could suggest that the word Kohanim here refers to the same people as it does in the rest of Tanakh:  Aharon's sons who have already been appointed.¹¹   This might be supported by the similar cast of characters that are mentioned both in this verse (Moshe, Aharon, the Kohanim, and the nation) and in the parallel verse of Shemot 24 (Moshe, Aharon, Nadav and Avihu, and the Elders representing the nation).¹²

Sacrifices before the Mishkan – These sources might maintain that the "נַעֲרֵי בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל" who bring offerings at Sinai in Shemot 24  are also Aharon's sons.  It is not clear, however, why they would be referred to in this manner rather than by either their names or title.¹³ According to Jubilees, it is possible that all sacrificial worship already from Patriarchal times was performed by members of the tribe of Levi.

Levites and the Golden Calf – According to this position, it is possible that it was specifically the Levites, who had already been designated to serve God, who heeded Moshe's call to act against the Calf's idolators.  In other words, the Levites' selection was the impetus for their taking action rather than a consequence of it.

"מִלְאוּ יֶדְכֶם הַיּוֹם לַי"י... לָתֵת עֲלֵיכֶם הַיּוֹם בְּרָכָה" – These sources might explain, as does R. Saadia Gaon, that the words "מִלְאוּ יֶדְכֶם הַיּוֹם לַי"י" constitute Moshe's congratulations to the Levites on their work, but do not connote an induction into service of Hashem.  Though the Levites did receive a blessing and reward for their actions, this was not an elevation in status (which had already previously occurred), but rather a general blessing of good.

Status of the firstborns – This approach might maintain that the firstborns never held any Levite or priestly status.  They were sanctified in Egypt because they had been saved from the Plague of the Firstborn,¹⁴ but this was not accompanied by any ritual role.¹⁵

Switching of Levites and firstborns – If the firstborns never played a role in Divine worship, it is not clear what it means that the Levites were chosen to serve in their stead.  These sources might explain that the redemption of Bemidbar 3 does not imply a substitution of service, but simply a redemption of the firstborns' holy status.

Before the Sin of the Golden Calf

The Priests were designated before the Sin of the Golden Calf, in preparation for the construction of the Mishkan.  This positions subdivides regarding the timing of the selection of the Levites:

Levites with Priests

The Priests and Levites were chosen at the same time.

Sources:Possibly R. Yosef Bekhor ShorShemot 19:22Shemot 24:5Shemot 32:26Shemot 32:29Bemidbar 3:13Bemidbar 8:19Devarim 10:8About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor¹⁶

Why Levi? R. Yosef Bekhor Shor highlights the importance of choosing a tribe (rather than  individuals) to serve Hashem,¹⁷ but he does not explain why specifically the tribe of Levi was chosen.  It is possible to suggest that Hashem selected them because of the merits of Moshe and Aharon.

Status of the firstborns – R. Yosef Bekhor Shor maintains that before there was centralized ritual worship in the Mishkan, it was the firstborns who performed the tasks later assumed by the Priests and Levites.

Switching of Levites and firstborns

• Practical purpose – According to R"Y Bekhor Shor, the switch was prompted by neither a need to reward the tribe of Levi nor a desire to punish the firstborns.  It was rather a practical decision.  Hashem wanted the service to be confined to a family line, so that the laws could be passed from father to son, facilitating their transmission and ensuring expertise.¹⁸  Moreover, since the firstborns were due to receive a double portion in the land, they would have been too preoccupied to devote themselves entirely to the service of Hashem.¹⁹
• Sin and corrective – It is also possible that the firstborns were rejected due to a sin which preceded the Golden Calf.  If one posits that the "אֲצִילֵי בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל" who "saw God" during the covenantal ceremony of Shemot 24 were the firstborns,²⁰ then it is possible that they were disqualified for overstepping their bounds.  The Levites were chosen instead, with one of their main functions being to guard the Sanctuary so that unauthorized persons did not approach.

Levites and the Golden Calf – R"Y Bekhor Shor asserts that the Levites were not the only ones who answered Moshe's call to kill the worshipers of the Calf, and there were many people from the rest of the nation who joined as well.²¹  As such, the Levites' actions during the incident were not so unique to merit them the reward of elevated status.

"מִלְאוּ יֶדְכֶם הַיּוֹם לַי"י... לָתֵת עֲלֵיכֶם הַיּוֹם בְּרָכָה" – R"Y Bekhor Shor is consistent in maintaining that the blessing spoken of here is unrelated to the tribe's appointment as Levites and Priests.  He asserts, instead, that it refers to their being included in the blessings of Moshe before his death.  Though they had not received a blessing from Yaakov, this action warranted them one from Moshe.

Chronology of the command to build the Mishkan – This approach is supported by the simple order of the verses, according to which Aharon is commanded regarding his role as the Kohen before the Sin of the Golden Calf.²²  Though the Levites are not mentioned there, it is logical that they might have been chosen at the same time since it was the establishment of the Tabernacle that prompted a need for their service.

The "כֹּהֲנִים" of Shemot 19 – According to R"Y Bekhor Shor, these were the firstborns, since at this point, before the command to build the Mishkan, they, rather than members of the tribe of Levi, had the status of priests.²³

"וַיִּשְׁלַח אֶת נַעֲרֵי בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיַּעֲלוּ עֹלֹת " – R"Y Bekhor Shor maintains that the "נערים" who sacrificed were the firstborns who were still functioning in a priestly role at this point in the narrative.

"בָּעֵת הַהִוא הִבְדִּיל י"י אֶת שֵׁבֶט הַלֵּוִי" – Though Hashem had chosen the tribe of Levi without any connection to their role the during Sin of the Calf, practically, the Tabernacle was built after the sin, and thus "it was at that time" that the tribe was actively separated.

"הֲנִגְלֹה נִגְלֵיתִי אֶל בֵּית אָבִיךָ...לִי לְכֹהֵן" – R"Y Bekhor Shor would likely explain that these verses speak of two distinct events which transpired at separate times.  While Hashem's revelation to Aharon's family occurred already in Egypt, their selection as Kohanim took place only much later.

Levites Only Later

The choosing of the Levites was distinct from the sanctification of the Priests. While the Priests were selected already before the Sin of the Golden Calf, the Levites were chosen only afterwards.

Sources:RambanShemot 24:5Shemot 25Bemidbar 3:1Bemidbar 3:5Bemidbar 16:19Devarim 10:8About R. Moshe b. Nachman, AbarbanelShemot 19:22Shemot 28:1Shemot 32:29Shemot 35Bemidbar 3:11Devarim 10About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel

Chronology of the command to build the Mishkan – This approach works with the simple chronology of the verses which presents Aharon's designation as part of the commands regarding the Mishkan given prior to the Sin of the Golden Calf, but speaks of the consecration of the rest of the Levites only in the second year, long after the story of the Calf.²⁴

Why were Aharon and the Levites chosen? Abarbanel asserts that Aharon merited the priesthood because, with the exception of Moshe, no one else in Israel came close to his level of perfection and prophecy.  The Levites, in contrast, were chosen due to the fact that they did not participate in the Sin of the Golden Calf, but rather defended the honor of Hashem.²⁵ Thus, the two appointments were totally distinct and for completely different reasons.

Status of the firstborns – Ramban²⁶ suggests that, until the Tabernacle was built, every individual was allowed to sacrifice, and the firstborns did not have any unique priestly status. Nonetheless, he appears to maintain that after they were sanctified during the Plague of Firstborns, they did assume Levite status.²⁷  It is unclear, however, what that would entail before the Tabernacle was built, when there was nothing to carry or guard.²⁸

Sin of the Golden Calf and replacing of the firstborns – Abarbanel asserts that the firstborns were rejected for having sinned with the Golden Calf, while the Levites, who did not sin, replaced them.

"מִלְאוּ יֶדְכֶם הַיּוֹם לַי"י... לָתֵת עֲלֵיכֶם הַיּוֹם בְּרָכָה" – This position could suggest, like Rashi below, that these words describe the dedication of the Levites to Hashem and their being blessing with exalted status.

"בָּעֵת הַהִוא הִבְדִּיל י"י אֶת שֵׁבֶט הַלֵּוִי" – This verse would appear to pose a difficulty, as it seems to suggest that both the Levites and Priests²⁹ were chosen in the aftermath of the Sin of the Golden Calf. Ramban responds that the phrase "בָּעֵת הַהִוא" refers not to the events of the Calf, but rather to the later period when Moshe attained atonement for both Aharon and the nation. As such, Moshe is saying that, "at that [later] time", Hashem needed to reaffirm his choice of Aharon as Kohen, as it had been temporarily nullified due to the sin.³⁰

The "כֹּהֲנִים" of Shemot 19 – Abarbanel posits that these could refer either to the firstborns who were still sanctified or to Nadav and Avihu who are so called after their future position.

"וַיִּשְׁלַח אֶת נַעֲרֵי בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיַּעֲלוּ עֹלֹת " – Ramban maintains that these נערים refer to virgin youths, who because of their ritual purity were chosen to bring these sacrifices.  This is consistent with his opinion that before the Tabernacle's construction, all were allowed to offer private sacrifices.

"הֲנִגְלֹה נִגְלֵיתִי אֶל בֵּית אָבִיךָ...לִי לְכֹהֵן" – This approach could explain like the previous approach that these verses combine two distinct events which occurred at separate times. Prophecy was given to Aharon's family already in Egypt, but their selection as Kohanim took place only much later.

In the Aftermath of the Sin of the Golden Calf

After the nation sinned at the Golden Calf, the tribe of Levi was picked for both the priesthood and Levite positions.

Sources:PhiloOn Special Laws 3:126-127About Philo, RashiBereshit 25:31Shemot 19:22Shemot 28:41Shemot 31:18Shemot 32:29Bemidbar 3:12Bemidbar 8:17Devarim 10:8Shemuel I 2:27About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki, RashbamShemot 19:22Devarim 10:8About R. Shemuel b. Meir, Ibn EzraShemot Long Commentary 19:22Shemot Short Commentary 19:22Shemot Short Commentary 24:1Shemot Short Commentary 24:5Shemot Short Commentary 32:29Bemidbar 3:1Bemidbar 16:1Bemidbar 16:28Devarim 10:8About R. Avraham ibn Ezra, SefornoShemot 24:18Shemot 31:18Shemot 32:29Bemidbar 3:13Maamar Kavvanot HaTorah 6:13About R. Ovadyah Seforno, Keli YekarShemot 28:1Bemidbar 3:13About R. Shelomo Ephraim Luntschitz, Hoil Moshe

Chronology of the command to build the Mishkan – These sources all maintain that the command to build the Tabernacle was given only after the incident of the Golden Calf and that the verses are achronological.  This allows them to assert that even though the appointment of Aharon is spoken of earlier, it only occurred after the sin, together with the consecration of the Levites..

"בָּעֵת הַהִוא הִבְדִּיל י"י אֶת שֵׁבֶט הַלֵּוִי" – This verse supports this approach as it describes the choosing of the tribe of Levi for both Levite and Priestly functions and dates both to the aftermath of the Sin of the Golden Calf.

Why were Aharon and the Levites chosen? These sources easily explain that the Levites merited the position as a reward for their loyalty to Hashem during the sin of the Golden Calf.  However, it is much harder to understand why Aharon is chosen in the aftermath of the incident, considering that he was not meritorious but blameworthy:

• According to Rashi, the entire purpose of the Mishkan was to provide proof that Hashem had indeed forgiven their deed.³¹  If so, perhaps choosing Aharon as priest was the ultimate sign of forgiveness.
• Seforno and Hoil Moshe assert that prior to the sin, Hashem had hoped to be worshiped via private altars and individual service.  However, the sin proved that the nation needed intermediaries in the form of a Tabernacle and priests.  As such, Aharon might have been chosen to serve as a corrective for both his and the nation's deeds.
• Alternatively, this approach might posit that the appointment of Aharon itself proves that he actually did not sin egregiously during the episode of the Golden Calf.  Though his actions might have led others to sin, his intentions were pure and he himself never worshiped the Calf and thus was truly worthy of the priesthood.

Status of the firstborns – According to these sources, prior to their rejection, the firstborns had priestly status and were in charge of bringing sacrifices.  According to Rashi, they had this status already in the Patriarchal period.³²  The other sources might suggest that it was only attained after their sanctification in the aftermath of the Plague of the Firstborns.

Sin of the Golden Calf and replacing of the firstborns – These sources all suggest that the firstborns were rejected due to their worship of the Calf.  Ibn Ezra asserts that, in their role as priests, it was specifically the firstborns who sacrificed before the Calf, making them the most guilty.

"מִלְאוּ יֶדְכֶם הַיּוֹם לַי"י... לָתֵת עֲלֵיכֶם הַיּוֹם בְּרָכָה" – These sources understand this statement to refer to the meriting of elevated status but differ in the details:

• Rashi understands "מליאת יד" to refer to a dedication, and that Moshe told the Levites that in return for their deed they would be dedicated to Hashem. 
• Seforno instead explains that the phrase refers to attaining perfection (מלא=שלם) so that the tribe would be prepared to serve Hashem.

The "כֹּהֲנִים" of Shemot 19 – Since Aharon was not yet appointed at this stage, Rashi and Ibn Ezra assert that the term refers to the firstborns.³³

"וַיִּשְׁלַח אֶת נַעֲרֵי בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיַּעֲלוּ עֹלֹת " – Ibn Ezra and Hoil Moshe maintain that this group, too, refers to the firstborns who still had sacrificial duties.  Ibn Ezra posits that they are referred to as "נערים" in contrast to the Elders, who were also firstborns, but had less strength to bring the offerings.

¹ This source only speaks of the choosing of the priesthood.

² Targum Pseudo-Jonathan speaks of the choosing of the Tribe of Levi in general terms and does not specify if this refers to their meriting both the priesthood and Levite service or just one or the other.

³ Tanchuma also speaks of the choosing of the Tribe of Levi in general terms and does not specify if this refers to their meriting both the priesthood and Levite service or just one or the other.

⁴ See Jubilees, Testament of Levi, Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, and Tanchuma.  With the exception of Jubilees, however, none of the sources explain why Levi, as opposed to the other tribes, was chosen.

⁵ One might question why they were more worthy than the tribe of Shimon who acted similarly. It is possible that Shimon's later marriage to a Canaanite (and his future tribal princes' relations with the Midianite Kazbi) served to nullify him. For Jubilees, it was not the rape of Dinah itself which was so problematic, but the potential marriage to a non-Jew. Thus, through Shimon's intermarriage, he undid any merit he might have gained by trying to prevent Dinah's marriage to Shekhem.

⁶ The sources below who say that Levi merited the position after their actions  during the episode of the Golden Calf might be picking up on the same trait of zeal for Hashem.  For elaboration on Jubilees' read of the Shekhem story, see Sin and Slaughter of Shekhem.

⁷ Shemot Rabbah is ambiguous and could also suggest that the tribe as a whole was picked earlier and only the specific allotment of Levite status to Moshe and priesthood to Aharon) occurred in Egypt.

⁸ According to him verses 27 an 28 are connected; the revelation spoken of in verse 27 is the choosing of the tribe spoken of in verse 29.

⁹ See Shemot 4:27 that Aharon has the freedom to leave Egypt and greet Moshe in the Wilderness.

¹⁰ The time spoken of in the previous verses relates to the period in which Moshe received the second set of Tablets.

¹¹ Cf. the opinion of R. Yehuda haNasi in Bavli ZevachimZevachim 115bAbout the Bavli.

¹² Cf. the Hoil Moshe who identifies the commands of the two verses, suggesting that Nadav and Avihu of Shemot 24:1 is equivalent the kohanim of Shemot 19:24.

¹³ It is possible that the term is used in contrast to the elders, mentioned earlier.  See RashiKetubot 115bAbout R. Shelomo Yitzchaki who alternatively suggests that the youths were fetched to bring the animals but they are not the subject of the phrase, "וַיַּעֲלוּ עֹלֹת".  Only Aharon's sons actually sacrificed.

¹⁴ This was not something they individually merited, but simply a consequence of being saved; with the miraculous act they became holy to Hashem.

¹⁵ It is even possible that those sanctified were just the children born after the Plague, in which case it is obvious that these infants could not have been in charge of sacrificing.

¹⁶ This depends to a great extent on the text of R"Y Bekhor Shor's interpretation of Bemidbar 3:13. The lone surviving manuscript of the commentary (Munich 52) reads: "ונראה שלפי אותו מעשה הבדלו" which is a difficult reading in context.  We have thus adopted Gad's proposed emendation of "ונראה שלפ[נ]י אותו מעשה הבדלו" which fits the context as well as a number of other interpretations of R"Y Bekhor Shor.  R"Y Bekhor Shor also discusses the possibility below that the tribe was chosen in the aftermath of the Sin of the Golden Calf.

¹⁷ See points below.

¹⁸ If the firstborns were to play the role of priests, they would be much more likely to err as they would not be accustomed to the service and would not necessarily have a parent to ingrain in them the complexities of the service.

¹⁹ R"Y Bekhor Shor explains that this also the reason why the tribe of Levi did not get an inheritance at all; freeing them for devotion to God.

²⁰ R"Y Bekhor Shor identifies them.

²¹ The verse highlights that "וַיֵּאָסְפוּ אֵלָיו כׇּל בְּנֵי לֵוִי" only because they were unique in that the entire tribe had not worshiped the Calf.

²² R"Y Bekhor Shor himself suggests that the verses are achronological and that the command to build the Mishkan followed the sin of the Golden calf.  This reading works with his alternative understanding of the choosing of the tribe of Levi as having occurred only in the aftermath of the sin.

²³ Cf. Ibn Ezra below who suggests that they are parallel to the "elders" of Shemot 24:1 who also refer to the firstborns.  As such, Ibn Ezra maintains that both verses speak of the same event with the same cast of characters.

²⁴ Ramban is consistent in understanding that the Torah is written chronologically.  For more on his approach, see R. Moshe b. Nachman.

²⁵ Ramban suggests that the Levites were not chosen immediately after their actions during the episode of the Golden Calf, but later in the second year when they were consecrated. This leaves open the possibility that their appointment was unrelated to the episode, and might have been due only to their connection to Moshe and Aharon.  Alternatively, already during the episode of the Calf, Hashem decided to appoint the Levites but simply did not put His decision into effect until later.

²⁶ Ramban also brings the opinion of Chazal that the firstborns were in charge of sacrificing, but says this in the name of the "rabbis" and then gives his own alternative "according to the simple sense."

²⁷ See, for example, his comments on Bemidbar 17:6, that the nation was upset during the rebellion of Korach because they wanted the firstborns to serve instead of the Levites: "אבל היו חפצים שיהיו הבכורות משרתי המשכן במקום הלוים ולא ירצו בחלופין שעשו בהם".  Abarbanel seems to agree as he emphasizes how the Levites took on the role of the firstborns, suggesting that originally the firstborns served in the same capacity.

²⁸ It is possible that the sanctification was only for the future, with the original intention being that they would serve as Levites in the Mishkan, but until its construction they did not have an active role.

²⁹ It speaks of being chosen to carry the Ark, a function of the Levites, and blessing the nation, a task of the Priests.

³⁰ Ramban is also bothered by the fact that the verse suggests that the Levites were chosen soon after the sin, even though they are only consecrated in the second year.  He offers two possibilities to deal with the problem.  His first reading suggests that the verse might be saying that with the atonement, Hashem reaffirmed Aharon's position, and simultaneously chose the Levites, though He did not act upon this decision until the second year.  Alternatively, the verse might be speaking only of the reaffirmation of Aharon's position, and not of the choosing of the Levites at all.  According to this, when the verse says that Hashem "separated the Tribe of Levi" it means that Hashem separated Aharon from the tribe of Levi. In addition, the mention of the task carrying the Ark is understood to be one of Aharon jobs since priests, too, were allowed to carry it.

³¹ See Purpose of the Mishkan for elaboration.

³² Thus, he understands that Yaakov's desire for the birthright related to attaining this priestly stauts (and keeping it form the unworthy Esav.)  For elaboration, see Sale of the Birthright – A Fair Deal?

³³ Ibn Ezra posits that the verse is similar to the parallel one inShemot 24:1, as the elders mentioned there were firstborns as well.