In the book of Numbers, Bamidbar, we find a census being taken. But there's a twist. "However, the tribe of Levi you shall not count" (Numbers 1:49). Why this exclusion? Bamidbar Rabbah, a classical Midrashic (rabbinic interpretive commentary) text, offers some truly insightful explanations.
One explanation paints a vivid picture: Imagine a king reviewing his legions. He instructs his chief of staff to count them all... except for the royal guard, those closest to him. Counting them amongst the regular troops just wouldn't be fitting. Similarly, God tells Moses not to count the Levites with the rest of Israel. They are to be counted separately, a distinct and honored group. "Among the children of Israel you shall not count them, but by themselves, count them," the text emphasizes. It’s about honor, about recognizing their unique role.
But what is that unique role? We learn that "you, appoint the Levites over the Tabernacle of the Testimony..." (Numbers 1:50). They are the guardians, the keepers of the sacred space.
Now, put yourself in Moses' sandals for a moment. Can you imagine the worry that might creep in? Bamidbar Rabbah tells us that Moses grew afraid, wondering if there was some flaw in his tribe that caused God to exclude them. What if there was a disqualification?
But God reassures him. The exclusion isn't a punishment, but a protection! "I said so to you only to exclude them from the decree, so that they will not die with them." God is setting them apart to save them. "And you shall not take a census of them [ve’et rosham lo tisa] among the children of Israel" (Numbers 1:49). Why? Because "The Levites shall be Mine" (Numbers 3:12, 45).
The text beautifully elaborates: "As, anyone who draws Me near, I draw him near." Remember the Golden Calf incident? "Moses…said: Whoever is for the Lord, come to me; and all the sons of Levi gathered to him" (Exodus 32:26). They chose loyalty to God, even when it was difficult. Because they drew near to God, God draws near to them.
Furthermore, the Levites proved their devotion. "You shall have no other gods…" (Exodus 20:3). They upheld this commandment, and therefore, they are worthy to be the trustees of My house." “And you, appoint the Levites [over the Tabernacle of the Testimony…and they shall encamp around the Tabernacle]" echoing the sentiment found in (Psalms 101:6): “My eyes are on the faithful of the land; they will dwell with Me.”
The Midrash then highlights a recurring theme: those who are tested and prove faithful are forever cherished. Think of Joshua, tested with Amalek, and how he fulfilled the command. "Joshua weakened [Amalek and its people by sword]" (Exodus 17:13). Because of this, God promised that "From Ephraim came those who uprooted Amalek" (Judges 5:14) – a descendant of Joshua would forever avenge Amalek.
Conversely, consider Saul, who failed his test with Amalek. "Saul and the people spared [Agag…and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them]" (I Samuel 15:9). As a result, he "fell back [le’aḥorav]", losing his kingdom.
The Levites, too, were tested. They proved their loyalty during the Golden Calf incident, even at the cost of family ties. "Each man, place his sword upon his thigh…[and each slay his brother, each his neighbor, each his relative]. The sons of Levi acted in accordance with the word of Moses…" (Exodus 32:27–28). (Deuteronomy 33:9) further describes them as those "Who said of his father, and of his mother: [I did not see him, and his brothers he did not recognize, and his children he did not know, because they observed Your saying, and Your covenant they upheld]."
Because of this unwavering devotion, God says, "Here, too, I will draw them near and make them My palace guard, and I entrust My sanctity and the function of My house to them."
And this responsibility extended to the very fabric of the Mishkan, the Tabernacle. "And when the Tabernacle travels, [the Levites shall dismantle it, and when the Tabernacle encamps, the Levites shall erect it]" (Numbers 1:51). Only the Levites could handle this sacred task. The text emphasizes the exclusivity: "And the stranger who approaches shall be put to death" (Numbers 1:51).
Why all this caution? To prevent "fury against the congregation of the children of Israel" (Numbers 1:53). The Levites acted as a buffer, protecting the people from the potential consequences of approaching the sacred space unworthily. They "will protect the watch of the Tabernacle of the Testimony" (Numbers 1:53).
So, what can we take away from this? It’s not simply a historical account of ancient roles and responsibilities. It speaks to the enduring themes of loyalty, devotion, and the consequences of our choices. It reminds us that those who dedicate themselves to a higher purpose, who remain steadfast in the face of adversity, are often rewarded with unique and meaningful roles. And perhaps, on a deeper level, it challenges us to consider: what are we doing to draw closer to the Divine, and how can we prove ourselves worthy of trust and responsibility?
Another matter: “However, the tribe of Levi you shall not count” (Numbers 1:49) – why were they not counted with Israel? It is because the tribe of Levi was the palace guard. This is analogous to a king who had several legions, and he said to his chief of staff: Go count the legions, except for the legion that stands before me. That is why the Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: “However, the tribe of Levi [you shall not count]…among the children of Israel” (Numbers 1:49). Among the children of Israel you shall not count them, but by themselves, count them, as it is not in keeping with the king’s honor that his legion should be counted with the legions. That is why Israel was counted by itself and the tribe of Levi was counted by itself. From where do you say that it is for that reason that He said it to him? It is because it is written thereafter: “And you, appoint the Levites over the Tabernacle of the Testimony…” (Numbers 1:50). When the Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: “However, the tribe of Levi you shall not count…” (Numbers 1:49), Moses grew afraid and said: Is there perhaps a disqualification in my tribe, due to which the Holy One blessed be He does not wish me to count them? The Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: I said so to you only to exclude them from the decree, so that they will not die with them. That is what is written: “And you shall not take a census of them [ve’et rosham lo tisa] among the children of Israel” (Numbers 1:49). Why? It is because the Levites are Mine: “The Levites shall be Mine” (Numbers 3:12, 45). As, anyone who draws Me near, I draw him near. They drew near to Me, as it is stated: “Moses…said: Whoever is for the Lord, come to me; and all the sons of Levi gathered to him” (Exodus 32:26). They drew Me near, and I draw them near: “The Levites shall be Mine.” Moreover, because they were found to be loyal to Me, as they observed my admonition: “You shall have no other gods…” (Exodus 20:3), therefore, they are worthy to be the trustees of My house. “And you, appoint the Levites [over the Tabernacle of the Testimony…and they shall encamp around the Tabernacle]” – likewise it says: “My eyes are on the faithful of the land; they will dwell with Me.” (Psalms 101:6). You find that anyone who is put to the test regarding a matter,17And he passes the test. the Holy One blessed be He loves him forever. As, you find regarding Joshua that he was put to the test with Amalek, and he performed there in accordance with the Torah and the mitzva, as it is stated: “Joshua weakened [Amalek and its people by sword]” (Exodus 17:13). The Omnipresent said to him: From your tribe, I will establish one who will exact retribution against Amalek forever: “From Ephraim came those who uprooted Amalek” (Judges 5:14). Saul, who was put to the test but did not properly fulfill his command, but rather: “Saul and the people spared [Agag…and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them]” (I Samuel 15:9), He caused him to fall back [le’aḥorav], and his kingdom was taken from him: “After you [aḥarekha], Benjamin” (Judges 5:14). This tribe, too, I put them to the test, and they were found observant, and they gave their lives for sanctification of My name, as it is stated: “Each man, place his sword upon his thigh…[and each slay his brother, each his neighbor, each his relative]. The sons of Levi acted in accordance with the word of Moses…” (Exodus 32:27–28); “Who said of his father, and of his mother: [I did not see him, and his brothers he did not recognize, and his children he did not know, because they observed Your saying, and Your covenant they upheld]” (Deuteronomy 33:9). Here, too, I will draw them near and make them My palace guard, and I entrust My sanctity and the function of My house to them. That is what is written: “And you, appoint the Levites [over the Tabernacle of the Testimony]” (Numbers 1:50). Why? It is because they are loyal to Me. During its dismantling and its erecting, too, I do not want others to dismantle it and erect it, only them. That is what is written: “And when the Tabernacle travels, [the Levites shall dismantle it, and when the Tabernacle encamps, the Levites shall erect it]” (Numbers 1:51). Is it possible that the mitzva is incumbent upon the Levites, but if an Israelite did so it is permitted? The verse stated: “And the stranger who approaches shall be put to death” (Numbers 1:51). Likewise it says: I hate doers of perversity” (Psalms 101:3) – this is Israel that strayed from after the Omnipresent and crafted the calf, and the Holy One blessed be He despised them from being His trustees. Do not say that it was that Israel would not touch it [only] during the journeys, rather, also during the encampments, only the children of Levi would approach it. That is what is written: “The children of Israel shall encamp, each in his camp.… And the Levites shall encamp around the Tabernacle of the Testimony” (Numbers 1:52–53). Why do I caution them that Israel should distance themselves from the Tabernacle? It is so there would not be fury upon them, as they are unworthy to approach it. That is what is written: “And there will not be fury against the congregation of the children of Israel” (Numbers 1:53). But the Levites will protect it; that is what is written: “The Levites will protect the watch of the Tabernacle of the Testimony” (Numbers 1:53). “The children of Israel did according to everything that the Lord commanded Moses, so they did” (Numbers 1:54) – as they distanced themselves from the Tabernacle and provided room for the Levites to encamp around the Tabernacle.
