Another matter, “do not cut off,” that is what is written: “Do not rob the impoverished as he is impoverished…” (Proverbs 22:22). Our Rabbis say: Regarding what is the verse speaking? If he is impoverished, what does he steal from him? Rather, it spoke only of gifts to the poor that he is obligated to give them by Torah law; gleanings, forgotten sheaves, produce in the corner of the field, and the tithe of the poor.
The Holy One blessed be He cautioned that no person should rob them of the gifts that are fit to give them. “As he is impoverished,” his poverty is sufficient for him. Is it not enough for the wealthy person that he exists in comfort and the poor person in suffering, but he even robs from him what the Holy One blessed be He gave him? “And do not oppress the poor at the gate” (Proverbs 22:22).
Just as it says: “You shall not distort the judgment [of your poor in his dispute]” (Exodus 23:6), and it says: “[You shall not afflict] any widow [or orphan]” (Exodus 22:21), “for the Lord will fight their battle and will deprive of life those who deprive them” (Proverbs 22:23), likewise, it says: “If you afflict him, [then when he cries out to Me, I will hear his cry]. My wrath will be enflamed, and I will kill [you with the sword]” (Exodus 22:22–23).
Another matter, “do not rob,” it is speaking of the tribe of Levi. Why does it call them impoverished? It is because they were more impoverished in number than all the tribes. You have none of the tribes that was as few in number as Manasseh, as their number totaled only “thirty-two thousand two hundred” (Numbers 1:35), and those counted were from twenty years old until sixty years old, excluding those who were from one month old until twenty, and excluding those from sixty years and above.
However, the entire tribe of Levi was from one month and above only twenty-two thousand three hundred, plus Aaron and his sons. Why? It is because they were adjacent to the sacred; anyone who was not appropriately careful, the attribute of justice would harm them. The Holy One blessed be He said to Israel: ‘They keep the commission of the sacred so that you will not be harmed, and their numbers dwindle for you.
Do not rob from them the gifts that I gave them, because he is impoverished.’ Moreover, they are impoverished from an inheritance, as they did not take a portion in the Land with you, as it is stated: “But to the tribe of Levi, Moses did not give an inheritance” (Joshua 13:33). “To the children of Levi, behold, I have given all tithes in Israel as an inheritance…[The children of Israel] shall no longer approach the Tent of Meeting]… The Levite himself shall perform the service of the Tent of Meeting” (Numbers 18:21–23).
“And do not oppress the poor at the gate,” just as it says: “When you shall conclude to tithe all the tithes of your produce…[and you shall give to the Levite…]” (Deuteronomy 26:12). If you do so3Oppress the poor and not give them their tithes,, “for the Lord will fight their battle” (Proverbs 22:23). “Do not rob the impoverished.” It is speaking of the sons of Kehat.
Why does it call them impoverished? It is because they were from the tribe of Levi, which did not take a portion in the Land.