הַקְרֵב֙ אֶת־מַטֵּ֣ה לֵוִ֔י וְֽהַעֲמַדְתָּ֣ אֹת֔וֹ לִפְנֵ֖י אַהֲרֹ֣ן הַכֹּהֵ֑ן וְשֵׁרְת֖וּ אֹתֽוֹ׃
'Подведи к себе колено Леви и поставь их перед священником Аароном, чтобы они могли служить ему.
Bamidbar Rabbah
“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Bring the tribe of Levi near and stand it before Aaron the priest, and they shall serve him” (Numbers 3:5–6).
“Bring the tribe of Levi near” – that is what is written: “The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree; [like a cedar in Lebanon, he will grow tall]. Planted in the House of the Lord, [they will blossom in the courtyards of our God]” (Psalms 92:13–14). “The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree” – just as this palm tree, its shade is far removed,1From the trunk of the tree. so, the righteous, the granting of their reward is far removed from them, until the World to Come. Just as this palm tree produces juicy, nikolaos, and unripe dates, and produces thorns, so are Israel: there are Torah personalities among them, there are plain citizens among them, and there are ignoramuses among them. Just as on this palm tree there are unripe dates that do not enter the storehouse and it produces dates and they enter the storehouse, so, Israel, when they were in the wilderness, some of them entered the Land of Israel and some of them did not enter. Just as this palm tree produces dates and produces thorns, and anyone who seeks to steal dates, the thorns that are on it grip him, so are the righteous: anyone who does not protect himself from them, their bite is the bite of a snake, their sting is the sting of a scorpion, their hiss is the hiss of a serpent. And all their statements are like fiery coals.
Another matter: Just as this palm tree has no waste, but rather, dates for eating, soft branches for extolment,2On Sukkot. hard branches for roofing,3The sukka. bast for ropes, leaves for a sieve, planks to roof the house, so are Israel: they have no waste, but rather, some of them are masters of Bible, some of them are masters of Mishna, some of them are masters of aggada, some are performers of mitzvot, some are givers of charity, and so on.
Another matter: Just as this palm tree, its heart is directed upward,4The soft material at the heart of the trunk goes straight up and does not bend. so, Israel, their heart is directed to their Father in Heaven, as it is stated: “My eyes are always toward the Lord, for He takes my feet from the net” (Psalms 25:15).
Another matter: Just as this palm tree has desire,5The fruit buds on the female trees are pollinated from the pollen in the flowers of the male trees. so, the righteous have desire. What is their desire? It is the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “With my soul, I desired You at night; while my spirit is within me, I will seek You. For when Your judgments are on the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness” (Isaiah 26:9). Rabbi Tanḥuma said: There was an incident involving a certain palm tree that was standing in Ḥamtan but did not produce fruit. They pollinated it, but it did not produce fruit. The palm cultivator said to them: It sees a male palm from Jericho, and it desires it in its heart. They brought from it, and pollinated it, and it immediately began to produce fruit. So, the entire desire and the hope of the righteous is the Holy One blessed be He.
Just as this palm tree does not produce fewer than three branches, so, Israel is never lacking three righteous ones in the world, like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; Ḥananya, Mishael, and Azarya. Likewise it says: “I said: I will ascend the date palm, I will grasp its branches; and please may your breasts be like clusters of the vine, and the fragrance of your nose like apples” (Song of Songs 7:9).6In Shir HaShirim Rabba 7:9 this verse is explained as referring to Ḥananya, Mishael, and Azarya.
Just as this palm tree has soft branches for extolment, hard branches for a sukka, even its bast is used for strengthening,7Making ropes and its wood for kindling, so [there are] in Israel the righteous, the upright, the pious, Torah personalities, and even their wayward are performers of acts of kindness.
If so, just as this palm tree, one does not craft utensils from it, is the same true of the righteous?8They provide no benefit for people. The verse states: “[The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree;] like a cedar in Lebanon, he will grow tall” (Psalms 92:13).9Utensils are crafted from cedars. Rabbi Tanḥuma said: I asked it of Rav Huna and he said: We were in Babylon, and we would craft utensils, tables, and candelabra from it. If so, just as this cedar does not produce fruit, so the righteous do not produce fruit? The verse states: “The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree.” Just as the palm tree produces fruit, so the righteous produce fruit, as it is stated: “Say of the righteous that it is good, for they will eat the fruit of their deeds” (Isaiah 3:10).
Just as the palm and the cedar, anyone who climbs to their treetop and does not protect himself, he falls and dies, so, anyone who comes and confronts Israel, ultimately, he will receive his just deserts at their hand. Know that it is so, as Sarah, because she was taken by Pharaoh one night, he and his household were struck with afflictions, as it is stated: “The Lord afflicted Pharaoh…” (Genesis 12:17).
Just as the palm and the cedar are greater than all the trees, so, Israel is greater than all the nations, as it is stated: “For Mordekhai was great [in the king’s palace, and his renown spread in all the provinces] (Esther 9:4); “David became steadily greater” (II Samuel 5:10).
Just as this palm, if it is uprooted, it has no replacement, so are the righteous: they have no replacements when they die, as it is stated: “But wisdom, where will it be found, and where is the place of understanding?” (Job 28:12).
Another matter: “The righteous man [will blossom] like a palm tree” (Psalms 92:13) is speaking of the tribe of Levi, as they were righteous and they caused good deeds to blossom when Israel crafted the calf, as it is stated: “All the sons of Levi gathered to him” (Exodus 32:26). Therefore, the Holy One blessed be He exalted them in Israel, like this cedar, which is taller and greater in Lebanon than the rest of the trees. So, they are greater than all of Israel, as from all the tribes He selected only the tribe of Levi alone, to serve Him. That is what is written: “Planted in the House of the Lord” (Psalms 92:14). Rabbi Ḥanan ben Pazi said: While they are still saplings they are in the House of the Lord; these are the children while they are in school.
Another matter: “Planted in the House of the Lord” (Psalms 92:14) – they would never move from the Temple. “They will blossom in the courtyards of our God” (Psalms 92:14) – these are the services.10The service done by the tribe of Levi in the Temple. Know that it is so, as it is stated: “Bring the tribe of Levi near.… They shall keep his commission” (Numbers 3:6–7).
“Bring the tribe of Levi near” – that is what is written: “The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree; [like a cedar in Lebanon, he will grow tall]. Planted in the House of the Lord, [they will blossom in the courtyards of our God]” (Psalms 92:13–14). “The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree” – just as this palm tree, its shade is far removed,1From the trunk of the tree. so, the righteous, the granting of their reward is far removed from them, until the World to Come. Just as this palm tree produces juicy, nikolaos, and unripe dates, and produces thorns, so are Israel: there are Torah personalities among them, there are plain citizens among them, and there are ignoramuses among them. Just as on this palm tree there are unripe dates that do not enter the storehouse and it produces dates and they enter the storehouse, so, Israel, when they were in the wilderness, some of them entered the Land of Israel and some of them did not enter. Just as this palm tree produces dates and produces thorns, and anyone who seeks to steal dates, the thorns that are on it grip him, so are the righteous: anyone who does not protect himself from them, their bite is the bite of a snake, their sting is the sting of a scorpion, their hiss is the hiss of a serpent. And all their statements are like fiery coals.
Another matter: Just as this palm tree has no waste, but rather, dates for eating, soft branches for extolment,2On Sukkot. hard branches for roofing,3The sukka. bast for ropes, leaves for a sieve, planks to roof the house, so are Israel: they have no waste, but rather, some of them are masters of Bible, some of them are masters of Mishna, some of them are masters of aggada, some are performers of mitzvot, some are givers of charity, and so on.
Another matter: Just as this palm tree, its heart is directed upward,4The soft material at the heart of the trunk goes straight up and does not bend. so, Israel, their heart is directed to their Father in Heaven, as it is stated: “My eyes are always toward the Lord, for He takes my feet from the net” (Psalms 25:15).
Another matter: Just as this palm tree has desire,5The fruit buds on the female trees are pollinated from the pollen in the flowers of the male trees. so, the righteous have desire. What is their desire? It is the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “With my soul, I desired You at night; while my spirit is within me, I will seek You. For when Your judgments are on the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness” (Isaiah 26:9). Rabbi Tanḥuma said: There was an incident involving a certain palm tree that was standing in Ḥamtan but did not produce fruit. They pollinated it, but it did not produce fruit. The palm cultivator said to them: It sees a male palm from Jericho, and it desires it in its heart. They brought from it, and pollinated it, and it immediately began to produce fruit. So, the entire desire and the hope of the righteous is the Holy One blessed be He.
Just as this palm tree does not produce fewer than three branches, so, Israel is never lacking three righteous ones in the world, like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; Ḥananya, Mishael, and Azarya. Likewise it says: “I said: I will ascend the date palm, I will grasp its branches; and please may your breasts be like clusters of the vine, and the fragrance of your nose like apples” (Song of Songs 7:9).6In Shir HaShirim Rabba 7:9 this verse is explained as referring to Ḥananya, Mishael, and Azarya.
Just as this palm tree has soft branches for extolment, hard branches for a sukka, even its bast is used for strengthening,7Making ropes and its wood for kindling, so [there are] in Israel the righteous, the upright, the pious, Torah personalities, and even their wayward are performers of acts of kindness.
If so, just as this palm tree, one does not craft utensils from it, is the same true of the righteous?8They provide no benefit for people. The verse states: “[The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree;] like a cedar in Lebanon, he will grow tall” (Psalms 92:13).9Utensils are crafted from cedars. Rabbi Tanḥuma said: I asked it of Rav Huna and he said: We were in Babylon, and we would craft utensils, tables, and candelabra from it. If so, just as this cedar does not produce fruit, so the righteous do not produce fruit? The verse states: “The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree.” Just as the palm tree produces fruit, so the righteous produce fruit, as it is stated: “Say of the righteous that it is good, for they will eat the fruit of their deeds” (Isaiah 3:10).
Just as the palm and the cedar, anyone who climbs to their treetop and does not protect himself, he falls and dies, so, anyone who comes and confronts Israel, ultimately, he will receive his just deserts at their hand. Know that it is so, as Sarah, because she was taken by Pharaoh one night, he and his household were struck with afflictions, as it is stated: “The Lord afflicted Pharaoh…” (Genesis 12:17).
Just as the palm and the cedar are greater than all the trees, so, Israel is greater than all the nations, as it is stated: “For Mordekhai was great [in the king’s palace, and his renown spread in all the provinces] (Esther 9:4); “David became steadily greater” (II Samuel 5:10).
Just as this palm, if it is uprooted, it has no replacement, so are the righteous: they have no replacements when they die, as it is stated: “But wisdom, where will it be found, and where is the place of understanding?” (Job 28:12).
Another matter: “The righteous man [will blossom] like a palm tree” (Psalms 92:13) is speaking of the tribe of Levi, as they were righteous and they caused good deeds to blossom when Israel crafted the calf, as it is stated: “All the sons of Levi gathered to him” (Exodus 32:26). Therefore, the Holy One blessed be He exalted them in Israel, like this cedar, which is taller and greater in Lebanon than the rest of the trees. So, they are greater than all of Israel, as from all the tribes He selected only the tribe of Levi alone, to serve Him. That is what is written: “Planted in the House of the Lord” (Psalms 92:14). Rabbi Ḥanan ben Pazi said: While they are still saplings they are in the House of the Lord; these are the children while they are in school.
Another matter: “Planted in the House of the Lord” (Psalms 92:14) – they would never move from the Temple. “They will blossom in the courtyards of our God” (Psalms 92:14) – these are the services.10The service done by the tribe of Levi in the Temple. Know that it is so, as it is stated: “Bring the tribe of Levi near.… They shall keep his commission” (Numbers 3:6–7).
Bamidbar Rabbah
Another matter: “Bring the tribe of Levi near…” (Numbers 3:6) – that is what is written: “Happy is one You choose and bring near” (Psalms 65:5). Happy is the man whom the Holy One blessed be He has chosen even if He did not bring him near, and happy is the man whom the Holy One blessed be He brought near, even if He did not choose him. Who is the one whom He chose? It is Abraham, as it is stated: “You are the Lord God, who chose Abram” (Nehemiah 9:7); but you did not bring him near, but rather, he brought himself near. Jacob, the Holy One blessed be He chose him, as it is stated: “For the Lord has chosen Jacob for Himself” (Psalms 135:4), and likewise it says: “Jacob whom I have chosen” (Isaiah 41:8); but you did not bring him near, but rather, he brought himself near, as it is stated: “Jacob was a wholesome man who resided in tents.” (Genesis 25:27).11Bereshit Rabba 63:10 states that the word “tents” is referring to the study halls of Shem and Ever, in which Jacob studied Torah. Moses, He chose him, as it is stated: “Were it not for Moses, His chosen” (Psalms 106:23), but He did not bring him near. Happy are those whom the Holy One blessed be He chose even though He did not bring them near.
Come and see Yitro;12Shemot Rabba 27:2. the Holy One blessed be He brought him near but did not choose him. Raḥav13Ruth Rabba 2:1. the prostitute, He brought her near but did not choose her. Happy are those whom He brought near even though He did not choose them.
A noblewoman asked Rabbi Yosei; she said to him: Does Your God bring near anyone He wants? He brought a basket of figs before her, and she was selecting carefully and selecting and eating. He said to her: Do you know how to select and the Holy One blessed be He does not know how to select? One whom He sees that his deeds are good, He chooses him and brings him near.
Rabbi Neḥemya in the name of Rabbi Shmuel bar Rav Yitzḥak: Not everyone who is near remains near, and neither does everyone who is distant remain distant. There are those who are chosen, rejected, and brought near. There are those who are chosen, rejected, and not brought near. Aaron was chosen: “And chose it from all the tribes of Israel to be priests for Me” (I Samuel 2:28). He was rejected: “The Lord was incensed with Aaron” (Deuteronomy 9:20). And it is written: “And you, bring Aaron your brother near to you” (Exodus 28:1).
Saul was chosen: “Have you seen that the Lord has chosen him” (I Samuel 10:24). He was rejected: “I have regretted that I crowned Saul…” (I Samuel 15:11). But he was not brought near: “I have spurned him from reigning over Israel” (I Samuel 16:1).
David was chosen: “He chose David His servant” (Psalms 78:70). He was rejected: “The king set out with his entire household in his wake.… [The king set out,] and all the people in his wake, and they stopped at a remote house” (II Samuel 15:16–17). Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: They ostracized him; nevertheless, he accepted his ostracization; that is what is written: “David ascended the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he ascended, and his head was covered [and he walked barefoot]” (II Samuel 15:30). And he was brought near; Rabbi Yudan said: Ira the Ya’irite, David’s teacher, brought him near. That is what David says: “May those who fear You and who know [yodei] Your precepts turn to me.” (Psalms 119:79). It is written: Who know him [yodo];14Although the verse is read in the plural – those who know – the word know is written in the singular, thus implying that it is referring to a single individual who can be described as the one who knows Your precepts. Ira the Ya’irite was his teacher and brought him near.
Rabbi Yehoshua of Sikhnin in the name of Rabbi Levi: They are six who were chosen: Priesthood, Levites, Israel, the royal house of David, Jerusalem, the Temple. Priesthood, from where is it derived? It is as it is written: “And chose it from all the tribes of Israel to be priests for Me” (I Samuel 2:28). Levites, from where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “For the Lord your God has chosen him from all your tribes” (Deuteronomy 18:5). Israel, from where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “The Lord your God has chosen you” (Deuteronomy 7:6). The royal house of David, from where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “He chose David His servant.” (Psalms 78:70). Jerusalem, from where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “[Jerusalem,] the city that I have chosen” (I Kings 11:32). The Temple, from where is it derived? It is as it is written: “I have chosen and sanctified this House” (II Chronicles 7:16).
David said: Happy is one whom the Holy One blessed be He has chosen and happy is one whom He brought near. Who is doubly happy? It is one whom the Holy One blessed be He has chosen and brought near. Who is that? It is Aaron and Levi. Aaron, from where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “And chose it from all the tribes of Israel to be priests for Me” (I Samuel 2:28). From where is it derived that He brought him near? It is as it is stated: “And you, bring Aaron your brother near to you” (Exodus 28:1).
Levi, the Holy One blessed be He chose him, as it is stated: “For the Lord your God has chosen him” (Deuteronomy 18:5). From where is it derived that He brought him near? It is as it is stated: “Bring the tribe of Levi near, and stand it.” In their regard, the verse says: “Happy is the one You choose to bring near to You to dwell in Your courtyards” (Psalms 65:5), just as it says: “They shall keep his commission, and the commission of the entire congregation…[to perform the service of the Tabernacle]” (Numbers 3:7). “May we be sated by the bounty of Your House, [the holiness of Your Temple]” (Psalms 65:5) – as they would eat all the tithes that were brought to the House, just as it says: “To the children of Levi, I have hereby given all tithe in Israel as an inheritance…” (Numbers 18:21).
Come and see Yitro;12Shemot Rabba 27:2. the Holy One blessed be He brought him near but did not choose him. Raḥav13Ruth Rabba 2:1. the prostitute, He brought her near but did not choose her. Happy are those whom He brought near even though He did not choose them.
A noblewoman asked Rabbi Yosei; she said to him: Does Your God bring near anyone He wants? He brought a basket of figs before her, and she was selecting carefully and selecting and eating. He said to her: Do you know how to select and the Holy One blessed be He does not know how to select? One whom He sees that his deeds are good, He chooses him and brings him near.
Rabbi Neḥemya in the name of Rabbi Shmuel bar Rav Yitzḥak: Not everyone who is near remains near, and neither does everyone who is distant remain distant. There are those who are chosen, rejected, and brought near. There are those who are chosen, rejected, and not brought near. Aaron was chosen: “And chose it from all the tribes of Israel to be priests for Me” (I Samuel 2:28). He was rejected: “The Lord was incensed with Aaron” (Deuteronomy 9:20). And it is written: “And you, bring Aaron your brother near to you” (Exodus 28:1).
Saul was chosen: “Have you seen that the Lord has chosen him” (I Samuel 10:24). He was rejected: “I have regretted that I crowned Saul…” (I Samuel 15:11). But he was not brought near: “I have spurned him from reigning over Israel” (I Samuel 16:1).
David was chosen: “He chose David His servant” (Psalms 78:70). He was rejected: “The king set out with his entire household in his wake.… [The king set out,] and all the people in his wake, and they stopped at a remote house” (II Samuel 15:16–17). Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: They ostracized him; nevertheless, he accepted his ostracization; that is what is written: “David ascended the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he ascended, and his head was covered [and he walked barefoot]” (II Samuel 15:30). And he was brought near; Rabbi Yudan said: Ira the Ya’irite, David’s teacher, brought him near. That is what David says: “May those who fear You and who know [yodei] Your precepts turn to me.” (Psalms 119:79). It is written: Who know him [yodo];14Although the verse is read in the plural – those who know – the word know is written in the singular, thus implying that it is referring to a single individual who can be described as the one who knows Your precepts. Ira the Ya’irite was his teacher and brought him near.
Rabbi Yehoshua of Sikhnin in the name of Rabbi Levi: They are six who were chosen: Priesthood, Levites, Israel, the royal house of David, Jerusalem, the Temple. Priesthood, from where is it derived? It is as it is written: “And chose it from all the tribes of Israel to be priests for Me” (I Samuel 2:28). Levites, from where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “For the Lord your God has chosen him from all your tribes” (Deuteronomy 18:5). Israel, from where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “The Lord your God has chosen you” (Deuteronomy 7:6). The royal house of David, from where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “He chose David His servant.” (Psalms 78:70). Jerusalem, from where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “[Jerusalem,] the city that I have chosen” (I Kings 11:32). The Temple, from where is it derived? It is as it is written: “I have chosen and sanctified this House” (II Chronicles 7:16).
David said: Happy is one whom the Holy One blessed be He has chosen and happy is one whom He brought near. Who is doubly happy? It is one whom the Holy One blessed be He has chosen and brought near. Who is that? It is Aaron and Levi. Aaron, from where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “And chose it from all the tribes of Israel to be priests for Me” (I Samuel 2:28). From where is it derived that He brought him near? It is as it is stated: “And you, bring Aaron your brother near to you” (Exodus 28:1).
Levi, the Holy One blessed be He chose him, as it is stated: “For the Lord your God has chosen him” (Deuteronomy 18:5). From where is it derived that He brought him near? It is as it is stated: “Bring the tribe of Levi near, and stand it.” In their regard, the verse says: “Happy is the one You choose to bring near to You to dwell in Your courtyards” (Psalms 65:5), just as it says: “They shall keep his commission, and the commission of the entire congregation…[to perform the service of the Tabernacle]” (Numbers 3:7). “May we be sated by the bounty of Your House, [the holiness of Your Temple]” (Psalms 65:5) – as they would eat all the tithes that were brought to the House, just as it says: “To the children of Levi, I have hereby given all tithe in Israel as an inheritance…” (Numbers 18:21).
Bamidbar Rabbah
“And stand it before Aaron, the priest, and they shall serve him” – they shall serve him in his service and he will appoint treasurers and overseers from among them. “They shall serve him” – in their regard the verse says: “My eyes are on the faithful of the land; they will dwell with Me. He who walks in the path of integrity, it is he who will serve Me…” (Psalms 101:6).
“They shall keep his commission.… They shall safeguard all the vessels of the Tent of Meeting…” (Numbers 3:7–8) – they would encamp around the Tent of Meeting, and they would carry its vessels and load them. “You shall give the Levites to Aaron…” (Numbers 3:9) – is it perhaps that they shall serve him in his service, that they should perform his labor? The verse states: “I have hereby taken [the Levites]…and the Levites [shall be] Mine” (Numbers 3:12). “Given for the Lord” (Numbers 18:6) – they are given for the Lord to the priests, and not to perform his labor, as they were gatekeepers and singers, and safeguarded all the vessels of the Tent of Meeting, carrying them, and loading them. “You shall count Aaron and his sons, [and they shall observe their priesthood]” (Numbers 3:10) – just as the Levites were commanded, so, the priests were commanded regarding their service, and all of them by Moses. “The commoner who approaches shall be put to death” (Numbers 3:10) – this is the punishment.
“They shall keep his commission.… They shall safeguard all the vessels of the Tent of Meeting…” (Numbers 3:7–8) – they would encamp around the Tent of Meeting, and they would carry its vessels and load them. “You shall give the Levites to Aaron…” (Numbers 3:9) – is it perhaps that they shall serve him in his service, that they should perform his labor? The verse states: “I have hereby taken [the Levites]…and the Levites [shall be] Mine” (Numbers 3:12). “Given for the Lord” (Numbers 18:6) – they are given for the Lord to the priests, and not to perform his labor, as they were gatekeepers and singers, and safeguarded all the vessels of the Tent of Meeting, carrying them, and loading them. “You shall count Aaron and his sons, [and they shall observe their priesthood]” (Numbers 3:10) – just as the Levites were commanded, so, the priests were commanded regarding their service, and all of them by Moses. “The commoner who approaches shall be put to death” (Numbers 3:10) – this is the punishment.