But then you stumble upon something like this, from Sifrei Devarim 208, and you think, "Wait, what's going on here?"
It all revolves around a passage in Deuteronomy (21:5) about a very specific situation: when a murder occurs and the perpetrator is unknown. In that case, the Torah instructs us that "Then there shall draw near the Cohanim, the sons of Levi." The Cohanim (singular: Cohen) are the priests, descendants of Levi, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. Okay, makes sense so far.
But the Sifrei Devarim asks a pointed question: Isn't it obvious that the Cohanim are the sons of Levi? Why does the Torah need to tell us this seemingly redundant piece of information?
The answer, according to the Sifrei, lies in another verse in that same chapter: "for them did the L-rd your G-d choose to serve Him." Because of this phrase, you might think that only unblemished Cohanim – those without physical imperfections – are eligible to perform this particular ritual, the breaking of the neck of a heifer (a young cow). After all, we know that in many Temple rituals, physical perfection was a requirement.
But that's where the phrase "the sons of Levi" comes in. It teaches us a crucial detail: even Cohanim with blemishes are eligible for this particular rite. The Torah is making a point to include them. for a second. The Torah is specifically including those who might otherwise be excluded. It's a reminder that even in the most solemn and sacred of rituals, there's room for those who might be considered less than perfect. It’s a powerful idea, isn’t it? It suggests that service to God isn’t limited to a select few who meet a certain standard of physical perfection. It opens the door a little wider.
So, the next time you encounter a seemingly redundant or overly specific instruction in the Torah, remember this passage. It might just be a subtle reminder that inclusion and accessibility are values that run deep within Jewish tradition. And maybe, just maybe, it’s a lesson we can apply to our own lives, too.