Do Not Cut Off the Levites and the Twenty-Four Priestly Gifts

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Bamidbar 29:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

(Numbers 4:18:) DO NOT CUT OFF. This is what Scripture said (in Psalms 33:18-19): BEHOLD, THE EYE OF THE LORD IS UPON THOSE WHO FEAR HIM, [… TO DELIVER THEIR SOUL FROM DEATH]. The verse speaks along many lines of thought; but as for what we need, it speaks about the tribe of Levi. And from where is it shown that the tribe of Levi is called those who fear the LORD? As it is said (in Malachi 2:5): AND I GAVE THEM TO HIM AS FEAR, AND HE FEARED ME. (Psalms 33:18:) UPON THOSE WHO WAIT FOR HIS STEADFAST LOVE, for they wait upon the name of the Holy One, blessed be He, at every moment. (Psalms 33:19:) TO DELIVER THEIR SOUL FROM DEATH AND TO KEEP THEM ALIVE IN FAMINE, through the twenty-four gifts that the Holy One, blessed be He, gave to them: ten in the sanctuary, ten within the borders, and four in Jerusalem. The ten in the sanctuary…

Themes

Divine ProvidencePriesthoodTribesMusicLevi

Biblical References

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Midrash Tanchuma Buber, ToldotThe Eye of the LORD Watches Over the Tribe of LeviThe Maggid opens the book of Psalms and points to a single verse: "Behold, the eye of the LORD is toward those who fear Him, toward those who wait for His kindnShir HaShirim RabbahLevi's PrayerA collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Song of Songs, Hugras was a Levite, part of the choir that served in the Temple. Now, the Levites were already kSifra, Mekhilta deMiluimWhy Elazar and Ithamar Did Not Mourn Their BrothersOn the day the Mishkan was consecrated, fire leapt from before the Holy One and devoured Nadav and Avihu, the two eldest sons of Aaron. The dwelling-place of glMidrash Tanchuma Buber, Beha'alotchaWhy God Tests the Righteous Before Choosing the LevitesWhy are the Levites taken to be God's own? Because, the Maggid teaches, the Holy One never raises a soul to greatness until He has first tried it and found it fMekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelThen I Shall Make for You a Place [Even NowThe Torah promises that God will provide "a place where he shall flee" for a person who kills accidentally (Exodus 21:13). This is the institution of the city oMidrash AggadahTake Aaron - Chosen and Brought Near to Halt the PlagueScripture sings, "Happy is the one You choose and bring near" (Psalms 65:5). Some the Holy One chose yet let draw near on their own. Abraham was chosen but brou