Commento su Deuteronomio 10:9

על כן לא היה ללוי חלק WHEREFORE LEVI HATH NO PORTION — because they have been singled out for the service of the altar (v. 8), and therefore were not free to plough and sow.

WHEREFORE LEVI HATH NO PORTION. The purport thereof is²³⁴In view of the fact that Ramban explained the preceding verse as referring only to the priests, the question arises: why does the verse before us explain that the Levites have no portion in the Land, when only the priests were discussed in this section? Ramban answers, “The purport thereof is etc.” that because they all [i.e., the Levites] minister to and assist the priests in their [Divine] Service, since every part of the Sanctuary pertained to the offerings, [therefore, the whole tribe of Levi was not free to devote itself to the cultivation and development of the Land; therefore they received no portion therein]. And so He said [to Aaron], And thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father, bring thou near with thee, that they may be joined unto thee, and minister unto thee.²³⁵Numbers 18:2.

Because they were separated for service at the altar, etc. I.e., it is not because they were separated to serve Adonoy that they had no share, as might be understood from the verse. For on the contrary, it would be fitting to increase their benefits, not to diminish them.

ה' הוא נחלתו THE LORD IS HIS INHERITANCE — he receives his daily fare ready for him from the King’s house (from the Temple; the dues from the sacrifices, etc.).

He receives his allotted portion, etc. His portion is the gifts of terumos and ma’aseros (tithes). The phrase, “Adonoy is his heritage,” is in response to, “Leivi had no share or territory with his brothers.” Their sustenance must be provided in another way in lieu of receiving a share or land. And, “Adonoy is his heritage,” must be explained as referring to Leivi’s allotted portion, which is the gifts of terumos and ma’aseros. Rashi says, “provided readily,” to indicate that Leivi’s portion [of terumos and ma’aseros] was given to them, in lieu of [a portion in the] land that was given to the Israelites, because it is readily available without effort. And [as a result] they do not need to toil, to the point they would refrain from service at the altar [when they will need to toil].