Midrash su Deuteronomio 10:8

A priest precedes a Levite, as it is said (I Chr. 23, 13) The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses; and Aaron was separated that he should be sanctified as most holy. A levite precedes an Israelite, as it is said (Deut. 10, 8) At that time the Lord separated the tribe of Levi, etc. An Israelite precedes a bastard, for the former is of traceable genealogy, while the latter is of non-traceable genealogy. A bastard precedes a nathin, for the former was born of pure parents while the latter was born of impure parents. A nathin precedes a proselyte, for the former was brought up with us in sanctity (in Israel) while the latter was not brought up in sanctity. A proselyte precedes a freed-slave, for the latter has been placed in the category of the cursed, while the former was not placed in the category of the cursed. "The above arrangement applies only when all are equal in erudition." Whence is this inferred? Said R. Acha b. R. Chanina: "From (Pr. 3, 15) She is more precious than pearls; i.e., she is more precious than the High-priest, who enters the innermost chamber." We are taught in a Baraitha that R. Simon b. Johcai says: "It is but right that a freed-slave have the preference over a proselyte, for the former was brought up with us in sanctity, while the latter was not brought up with us in sanctity; however, as a slave has been placed in the category of the cursed, while a proselyte was not placed in the category of the cursed, therefore has the proselyte the preference. The disciples of R. Elazar b. Zadock questioned him: "Why are all more anxious to marry a female proselyte than a freed female slave?" "Because," replied he, "the slave is included in the category of the cursed, while a proselyte is excluded." Another reason may be given — because the proselyte is supposed to have kept herself in chastity, which, as a rule, is not the case with the slave.

R. Joshua the son of Nehemiah said: The third was always the most precious. Adam had three sons, Cain, Abel, and Seth; and Seth was the most beloved, as it is said: This is the book of the generations of Adam, and that is followed by the sentence And begot a son in his own likeness (Gen. 5:3). Noah had three sons, as it is said: And Noah begot three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth (ibid. 6:10), and though Japheth was the eldest, only Shem merited greatness. Amram had three children, Miriam, Aaron, and Moses, and it is written: Had not Moses His chosen stood before him (Ps. 106:23). Concerning the tribes of Reuben, Simeon and Levi, Levi was the most important, as it is said: At that time the Lord separated the tribe of Levi (Deut. 10:8). Among the kings Saul, David, and Solomon, Solomon was the most beloved, as it is said: Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord (I Chron. 29:23). In the case of months, the third month is the most precious, as it is stated: In the third month (the Torah was given).

29) (Vayikra 9:22): "And Aaron lifted his hands to the people and he blessed them (the priestly blessing), and he came down from offering the sin-offering and the burnt-offering and the peace-offerings." The verse is (to be understood as) inverted, (i.e., First "he came down, etc." and then "Aaron lifted his hands, etc."). In going down, he lifted his hands and blessed the people. "and he blessed them": while standing. You say "while standing," but perhaps (it could be done) standing or not standing! It is, therefore, written (Devarim 10:8): "to stand before the L–rd to serve Him and to bless in His name." Blessing is being likened to serving. Just as serving is "standing," so is blessing. And thus is it written (II Divrei Hayamim 30:27): "And the Cohanim and the Levites stood up, and He heard their voice, and their prayer came to His holy abode in heaven." In the generation of Chizkiyahu, king of Judah, when they occupied themselves with Torah, what is written of them? "and their prayer came to His holy abode in heaven." In other generations, when they served idolatry, what is written of them? (Isaiah 1:15): "And when you spread out your hands (in prayer), (I will hide My eyes from you, etc.")