The story, as told in Legends of the Jews, paints a vivid picture of divine encounters and a sacred calling.
According to Ginzberg's retelling, when Levi knew his time was near, he gathered his children. It wasn't just to reminisce, but to pass on a legacy, a prophecy stretching all the way to the end of days. He began by recounting a pivotal moment from his youth, a moment when "the spirit of understanding of the Lord came upon" him while tending flocks in Abel-Meholah. He saw the corruption of humanity, injustice and impiety ruling the world. Distressed, he prayed for salvation.
Then, a vision. He saw a towering mountain, the heavens opening, and an angel beckoning him to enter. Levi ascended through multiple heavens, each brighter than the last. He questioned the angel about their significance and was told he would soon see an even more brilliant heaven, a place where he would stand near God, minister to Him, and reveal divine mysteries to humankind. "Of the Lord's portion shall be thy life," the angel proclaimed, "and He shall be thy field and vineyard and fruits and gold and silver." Talk about a calling!
The angel then revealed the purpose of each heaven and prophesied about the Day of Judgment. In the third heaven, Levi beheld the holy Temple and God seated upon the Throne of Glory. God Himself declared, "Levi, upon thee have I bestowed the blessing of the priesthood, until I come and dwell in the midst of Israel." The angel returned Levi to earth, gifting him a shield and sword, instructing him to avenge Dinah's honor in Shechem. “Execute vengeance upon Shechem for Dinah," the angel said, "and I will be with thee, for the Lord hath sent me." When Levi asked the angel's name, he received a powerful answer: “I am the angel that intercedes for the people of Israel, that it may not be destroyed utterly, for every evil spirit attacks it.”
Upon awakening, Levi found a brass shield identical to the one in his dream. Remember the story of Dinah and Shechem? Levi, fueled by what he considered divine mandate, urged his father Jacob and brother Reuben to convince the sons of Hamor to undergo circumcision (brit milah) – a deeply significant act of covenant in Jewish tradition. Levi, consumed by righteous anger over the "abominable deed," personally slew Shechem, while Simon killed Hamor. The other brothers joined in, destroying the city. Jacob, however, was displeased. Despite their father's disapproval, Levi saw their actions as divine judgment upon Shechem for their sins, declaring that God would use this to ultimately drive out the Canaanites and give the land to Jacob's descendants. "Henceforth Shechem will be called the city of imbeciles," Levi declared, "for as a fool is mocked at, so have we made a mockery of them."
Later, while in Beth-lehem, Levi had another vision. This time, seven men clothed in white appeared, instructing him to don priestly garments: the crown of righteousness, the ephod (a priestly garment) of understanding, the robe of truth, the mitre (a type of head covering) of faith and dignity, and the shoulder pieces of prophecy. Each man brought a garment, investing him with it. They proclaimed, "Henceforth be the priest of the Lord, thou and thy seed unto eternity." They foretold that his descendants would partake of the offerings, that they would become high priests, judges, and scholars, guarding all that is holy.
Two days later, Judah and Levi visited their grandfather Isaac, who blessed Levi in accordance with the vision. Jacob also had a vision confirming Levi's appointment as God's priest, and through him, Jacob dedicated a tenth of his possessions to God. In Hebron, Isaac taught Levi the laws of the priesthood, emphasizing the importance of abstaining from unchastity.
Levi then shares details about his family. At 28, he married Milcah and had Gershom, realizing he wouldn't be among the greatest. At 35, Kohath was born at sunrise, seen in a vision among the proud. At 40, Merari was born after a difficult labor. And in Egypt, at 63, Jochebed was born and later married by Amram, who was born on the same day.
Finally, Levi gave his children a choice: "Choose, now, light or darkness, the law of the Lord or the works of Beliar." His sons vowed to follow God's law, a promise witnessed by God, the angels, and Levi himself.
Levi's final act was to admonish his children to walk in the ways of God, sharing wisdom gleaned from the writings of Enoch about future transgressions and divine punishments. He also spoke of a new priest who would arise, one to whom all the words of the Lord would be revealed. (Levi’s words here are especially interesting, as some see them as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus, who Christians believe fulfills the role of high priest. This is a common point of discussion in messianic Jewish circles.)
Levi then stretched out his feet and died at the remarkable age of 137, outliving all his brothers.
So what do we take away from this story? It's more than just an origin story for the Levites. It's a narrative about divine calling, responsibility, and the enduring power of choice. Levi's vision and his commitment set the stage for a lineage dedicated to serving God, a legacy that continues to resonate within Jewish tradition. What choices will you make in your own life, and what legacy will you leave behind?