Komentaryong Sumisipi para sa Ruth 4:3

For he knew that there, in his territory, was the plot [of the great scribe’s burial ground]. Rashi has to say this because the plain meaning of the verse implies that the great scribe’s is already buried there, and this is not so since Moshe was still alive at that time. Therefore he explains that he knew through tradition or prophecy. By adding the word burial Rashi also rectifies [a misunderstanding], as the verse implies that the great scribe had a portion in the land as it says, חלקת מחוקק ספון (lit. the great scribe’s plot), whereas Moshe did not have a portion or inheritance in the land. Therefore he explains, The plot of the great scribe’s burial ground. He adds the word field because חלקת (plot, but lit. portion) implies a portion of something and one needs to know of what is it a portion. Therefore Rashi adds the word field as in the verse (Ruth 4:3), The portion of the field that belonged to our brother.

What seems closest to my understanding, is that the Holy One, blessed be He, wanted to show that the wise will inherit honor (Proverbs 3:35), in order to teach the people to honor Torah scholars and to call the holy one of God honored, to sanctify Him in all matters of holiness. Just as He counted Kohath first because of the task of carrying God’s word which was with him, if He had given the Ark to Gershon, the firstborn, I would have said that it was because of his birthright that he was counted first, and I would not have attributed the importance to carrying the Ark. Therefore, He entrusted the Ark to Kohath and counted him first, so that everyone would know to give honor to the Torah and its students.
But from the fact that the Midrash author connected this matter to the verse She is more precious than rubies (Proverbs 3:15), as is found in Rabbati, his intention was certainly to teach that the crown of Torah is claimable for all. Therefore, the Ark was not given to the firstborn, so that he would not have cause to boast, “I am more worthy of the crown of Torah than others.” Rather, all are equal regarding it, and therefore it is said, She is more precious than rubies — meaning, more than the High Priest who enters the innermost chambers, for the crown of priesthood is only attained by one who is from the seed of Aaron, but the crown of Torah is claimable for all, and everyone can merit it.
She is more precious than rubies — more than the crown of kingship, which has gold and many gems, and only one who is from the seed of David can merit it, but to the crown of Torah, everyone can merit. For this reason, it is expounded in Rabbati, She is more precious than rubies — more than the birthright, as it is said, Now this was the custom in former times in Israel (Ruth 4:7), for the birthright can only be attained by one who is born first, but to Torah, everyone can merit.
Another explanation: Therefore the carrying of the Ark was not given to the firstborn, so that he would not become too proud of himself. And some say the reason is because Moses and Aaron, who received the Torah, came from Kohath.