Shabbat Table Topics – Parashat Bemidbar

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When and why was the tribe of Levi chosen to be the priests and Levites? Why were the first-borns rejected?

Was their selection merit-based? If so, for what actions? See Jubilees who claims that they were rewarded for Levi's avenging of Dinah's honor in Shekhem, Shemot Rabbah who implies that it was the special character of Moshe's family which elevated the tribe, and Rashi who points to the Levite's non-participation in the Sin of the Golden Calf. Which of these approaches do you find most compelling? Which do you find problematic? According to Rashi, why should Aharon have merited the priesthood?
R"Y Behor Shor suggests that the choice was practical in nature. Though originally the firstborns had been selected for the position, Hashem decided that it was better that the service to be confined to a family line and consolidated into one tribe. What are the advantages and disadvantages of selecting just one tribe rather than one individual from each family?

Shabbat Table Topics – Parashat Bemidbar/0/en