(Numbers; Chapter 8, Verse 18) “Then I gave the
Levites to be presented to Aaron and his sons from
among the Children of Israel to perform the service
of the Children of Israel in the Tent of Meeting
(Tabernacle) and to provide atonement for the
Children of Israel, and there shall not be a plague
among the Children of Israel when the Children of
Israel approach the Sanctuary.”
This verse specifies that only Aaron's sons from the
tribe of Levi can represent the Children of Israel,
in service to G-d, within the Tabernacle. The
Children of Israel may not approach the Sanctuary
lest they be struck with the plague of death.
Rashi comments, “The 'Children of Israel' are
mentioned five times in this verse to make known
their dearness to G-d. Five times in accordance with
the number of the five books of the Torah.”
The Gur Aryeh asks, “Why does the verse find it
necessary, when warning the Jewish nation, to show
the dearness of Israel? The verse not only
prohibits a non-Levite from approaching the
sanctuary but also reminds the Levites to protect
the Sanctuary from uninvited visitors. G-d forbid an
Israelite should come near and die. G-d forbid, a
Jew, who is as important as the five books of the
Torah, should be stricken with death. The death of a
Jew is equivalent to a Torah scroll being burnt.”
Each Israelite had a personal responsibility to stay
away from the Holy Sanctuary, but each Levite had
the additional responsibility to prevent the
Israelites from trespassing. The Torah commands the
Levite to actively prevent an Israelite from
bringing death upon himself. Just as we would not
idly watch a Torah being burn, neither could we
allow another Jew to be harmed. .
It is our duty and responsibility to protect and
worry about every Jew. G-d forbid we should ever
think otherwise.
Shabbat Shalom
