Loyalty to G-d Above All
“Appoint the Levites over the Tabernacle of the testimony, and over all its furnishings, and over all that belongs to it. They are to carry the Tabernacle and all its furnishings, and they shall take care of it and shall camp around the Tabernacle” (Numbers 1:50).
The Levites were chosen for this mission because they feared G-d in the fullest sense of the term. Not only were they the only tribe in Egypt not to worship idols, but they also risked their lives to sanctify G-d’s Name, not hesitating to kill even their own relatives following the episode of the Golden Calf.
On the verse quoted above, the Midrash (Bamidbar Rabba 1:12) comments, “Whoever brings Me near, I bring near to Me.” When did the Levites bring G-d near? “As it says, ‘Moses said: Whoever is on the L-rd’s side, let him come to me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves unto him’” (Exodus 32:26). Moses then instructed them: Let each man gird his sword and go from one gate to the other in the camp – let each one kill all those involved in idolatry, even his own brother, close friend, or relative.” And they followed his orders. As the Midrash states, “They girded their swords and showed no favoritism” (Bamidbar Rabba 15:12).
The Ohr HaChaim writes as follows:
“We might think that someone who [kills his relatives] is spiritually flawed, possessing cruelty associated with wickedness. Moses therefore said, ‘Today you have been completed’ (Exodus 32:29)…. Their behavior was not a sign of any spiritual flaw. Quite the contrary. Their willingness to kill even their own sons was an indication of their approaching spiritual perfection. Indeed, this mindset is associated with Abraham, who was spiritually perfect: ‘Abraham reached out and took the slaughter knife.’”
The pinnacle of trust in G-d – sacrificing oneself for Kiddush Hashem – involves being ready to elevate one’s love of G-d above one’s love of people. This is what the tribe of Levi did, and by virtue of their complete trust in Him they were chosen in place of the firstborn to minister in the Tabernacle.
The Jewish Idea