Service of the Levites/0
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
This topic has not yet undergone editorial review
Service of the Levites
Chosen for Service
When was the Tribe of Levi designated to assume their special responsibilities and why did they merit them?
Age of Service
While Bemidbar 4 sets 30-50 as the age of Levite service, Bemidbar 8 instead sets 25 as the lower age limit. How can this contradiction be understood?
Types of Work
What were the various functions of the Levites in the Mishkan and Mikdash?
- Transport – Bemidbar 1:50, Bemidbar 3:21-38 and Bemidbar 4 describe how it was the task of the Levites to carry the Tabernacle and its vessels. Kehat carried the various vessels, Gershon transported the curtains, and Merari was in charge of the boards.
- Assembly – The Levites (perhaps Gershon and Merari specifically) were responsible for the dismantling and erecting of the Mishkan throughout the travels in the Wilderness (see Bemidbar 1:51 and Bemidbar 10:17-21).
- Service of the Mishkan/ Priests - Bemidbar 1:50 speaks of the Levites serving the Tabernacle, while 3:6 and 18:1-3 speak of them serving Aharon.1 What is included in this "service"?
- General service - R. Hirsch explains that the service of the Tabernacle spoken of in Bemidbar 1 is explained by the surrounding verses and refers to the Tabernacle's transportation and assembly. Netziv suggests that it might refer to repairs as well.
- Guard duty – Rashi, R. Yosef Kara, R. Yosef Bekhor Shor, Ralbag, all explain that the service refers to assisting to guard the Tabernacle (and later Mikdash), lest a foreigner come close. This is supported by the context of each of the verses, as each is followed by a command "וְשָׁמְרוּ אֶת מִשְׁמַרְתּוֹ".
- Song – Malbim, following R. Yehuda in Bavli Arakhin, understands "service" to refer to singing during the sacrificial service. According to him, the verse is referring to a service that is unique to the Levites, hence singng.
- Assist in sacrificial service – R. Yosef Bekhor Shor posits that the service might also include helping the priests with the sacrifical service, slaughtering and skinning, jobs which were allowed to non-priests. As evidence he points to Divrei HaYamim II 29:34
Supervisors
Was Elazar or Itamar assigned to supervise the Levites?
