Why the Tribe of Levi Is Called Poor in Proverbs

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Bamidbar 27:2

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

Another interpretation of (Proverbs 22:22) "Do not rob the poor": It speaks of the tribe of Levi, and it calls the tribe of Levi "poor." But were they poor? Rabbi Judah bar Simon and our Rabbis differ. One of them says: Why were they called "poor"? Because they were poor of inheritance, as it is said (Joshua 13:33), "But to the tribe of Levi Moses gave no inheritance." Therefore, do not rob it of the gifts that I told you to give. And the other one said that they were poor in number. And why? Because the ark was consuming them. Therefore the Holy One, blessed be He, commands Moses and says (Numbers 4:18), "Do not cut off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites."

Themes

PovertyTribesLeviCharityWisdom

Biblical References

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