In our Parasha Matot – Masey, we read that the tribe of Levi was not going to receive a part in the land of Israel. Instead, the other tribes were ordered to set aside forty-eight cities from their part, allowing the Levi tribe to live among them.
In addition to the cities that the Levites received among the Israelites, they received ‘tithes’: a tenth of each year’s harvest was given to the Levi as a reward for their work in the Temple. In addition, the Cohanim that are also subpart of Levy, are getting an extra 24 gifts from the people. For example: extra donation from the harvest, the first fruits, the first-born of the cattle and sheep, a portion of the ‘Challah’ from dough, as well as parts of the sacrifices made in the Temple.
Through these Mitzvot, the Torah shows the desired lifestyle for the Cohanim and Levi and the “Social contract” they have with the people of Israel: first, they do not receive their own county in the land of Israel like the other tribes; Rather, they are scattered in autonomous cities among the other tribes’ counties. It should be noted that in the ancient world, the land was the main source of livelihood through soil, crops, and cattle raising. The fact that the members of the Levi tribe did not receive their own estate means a reduction in their source of livelihood. Instead, the Levites and Cohanim received tithes and special gifts from the people for their living among them.
God’s desire is that a part of the people will be dedicated not only to worship in the Temple, but also to spirituality and the study of Torah laws which are the essence of Jewish life. For this purpose, that group of people should refrain from working on the land and devoting their days to the study of the Torah and the continuity of Judaism in the world.
However, if the tribe of Levi and the Cohanim engaged in the worship of God among themselves only, then they missed their goal, which is to influence the entire nation of Israel. For this purpose, the Torah commanded that each and every tribe set aside several cities where the priests and Levi would live in with the purpose that they will serve as a lighthouse for all the other tribes, sharing and teaching the way of the Torah as part of their responsibility for the continuity of Judaism.
This need, for a part of the people to dedicate their lives to the worship of G-d and the study of the Torah, continues even in our modern era in which we live. The need to cultivate among us spiritual leaders who will dedicate their lives to spirituality, requires from the rest of our nation to support them financially, with the understanding that they will become the continuity of Am Israel for generations to come.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Refael Cohen