Jewish tradition has some fascinating answers, particularly when we delve into the story of the B'nei Kehat, the sons of Kehat.
Our story comes from Bamidbar Rabbah, a Midrash on the Book of Numbers. It focuses on a seemingly simple verse: "But do this for them, and they will live, and will not die upon their approaching the Holy of Holies. Aaron and his sons shall come and assign them, each man to his service and to his burden" (Numbers 4:19). What’s so special about this verse? What does it mean to "do this for them"?
The Rabbis in the Midrash see a parallel between this verse and another: "with this [bezot] Aaron shall come..." (Leviticus 16:3). Notice the word "this" – zot in Hebrew. Just as there was a specific remedy, an atonement, prescribed for Aaron, so too, there's a remedy needed for the sons of Kehat. The stakes? Life and death! "And they will live and will not die."
Why all this emphasis on averting death specifically for the B'nei Kehat? The Holy One, blessed be He, says, in essence: 'Institute a remedy for the sons of Kehat so that they will live and will not die upon their approaching the Ark, as were it not for them, Israel would not survive!' That’s a pretty big statement, right? It highlights the critical role this particular group played.
See, the families of Gershon, Kehat, Merari, and Aaron and his sons, were positioned around the Ohel Mo’ed, the Tent of Meeting. They surrounded it. And this wasn't just about physical placement. They had a spiritual function, a vital task. The Midrash explains that if Israel became "sullied," if some transgression occurred, punishment might emanate from the Tent of Meeting, from the very presence of God. And who would stand in the way? The sons of Kehat.
According to the Midrash, because of their proximity to the Tent of Meeting, they had the ability to "curb" the punishment, to stop it from reaching the rest of Israel. This idea comes from the verse: “The Levites shall encamp around the [Tabernacle of the testimony, and there shall not be rage against the congregation of the children of Israel]” (Numbers 1:53). They were a buffer, a shield.
Rabbi Pinḥas HaKohen bar Ḥama drives this point home with a powerful story. Remember the rebellion of Korah? When Korah challenged Moses' authority, the angel of death threatened to unleash destruction upon Israel. It was about to emerge and kill them all. Moses, being encamped near the Tent of Meeting as a member of the sons of Kehat, sensed the danger.
What did he do? He turned to Aaron: “Take the fire pan, and place fire upon it from on the altar…and atone for them” (Numbers 17:11). Urgency filled his voice: “Go quickly to the congregation!” Aaron, understandably bewildered, asked what was happening. Moses revealed that the angel of death had emerged, fueled by rage, to strike Israel. “For the rage has emerged from before the Lord”’ (Numbers 17:11).
This story illustrates that the Levites, especially the sons of Kehat who bore the Ark, acted as a safeguard, curbing divine punishments. The Holy One, blessed be He, acknowledges their suffering, their constant vigilance: 'They suffer with Israel all this suffering, and you do not institute a remedy for them?'
So, the next time you hear about the sons of Kehat, remember their crucial role. They weren't just carrying the Ark; they were carrying the weight of Israel's safety, standing between the people and potential divine retribution. It makes you wonder, doesn’t it? What unseen forces are at work, protecting us, interceding on our behalf, even when we don't realize it? What "remedy" is in place for us, so that we, too, might live?