1)

What is "ba'Eis ha'Hi" referring to? Why does the Torah insert choosing the Tribe of Levi here?

1.

Rashi, Rashbam and Targum Yonasan: It is after the episode of the Golden calf 1 . Levi did not go astray then, and that is why Hashem chose them, as the Pasuk goes on to explain. It is mentioned here, following the episode of B'nei Ya'akan, because there too, the tribe of Levi did not go astray.

2.

Ramban: It refers to the same time as "ba'Eis ha'Hi" in Pasuk 1 - after Hashem instructed Moshe to carve out a second pair of Luchos, when He made up with K'lal Yisrael and commanded them to build the Mishkan, that is when the Levi'im were chosen. 2

3.

Seforno: It is following the sin of the Golden Calf. Moshe was pointing out that Hashem chose the Tribe of Levi to serve Him and the rest of Yisrael remained unworthy of doing so. It is a sign that he only achieved with his Tefilah that Hashem did not destroy them, but not a complete pardon.

4.

Oznayim la'Torah: It refers to the current episode - Refer to 10:6:1:1 - where, for the tgird time, the tribe of Levi demonstrated their loyalty towards Hashem - 1. In Egypt. 2. By the Eigel, and 3. here, when they chased after the rebels who were on their way back to Egypt to return them to the camp. And since they attained a Chazakah in loyalty, Hashem designted them a special triple role - permanently for all time: 1. to carry the Aron of Hashem; 2. to stand before Hashem to serve Him and 3. to bless the people. 3


1

Rashbam: When the Tribe of Levi found favor in the Eyes of Hashem when the Torah states "Vaya'asfu eilav Kol B'nei Levi" (Shemos 32:26.

2

Ramban: Where Hashem made up with Aharon - See Ramban DH 'v'ha'Nachon b'Einai'..

3

Oznayim la'Torah: Though this latter appointment was confined to the Kohanim - who are also B'nei Levi.

2)

How can the tribe of Levi have chosen due to the episode of the Golden calf, when they were chosen only after the census in Iyar of the second year (Bamidbar 1:1)?

1.

Ramban #1 (according to Rashi - Refer to 10:8:1:1): It refers to the time that Hashem designated them, or to the Mesirus Nefesh that they displayed that earned their designation. 1

2.

Ramban #2: Refer to 10:8:1:2.

3.

Rashbam: Refer to 10:8:1:1 2 .


1

Ramban: When Moshe said to them "Mil'u Yedchem ha'Yom ... " - See Shemos 32:29.

3)

What is the significnce of the designation of the tribe of Levi to carry the Aron?

1.

Horayos, 13a: It means that a ben Levi should be given precedence over a Yisrael 1 - and by the same token, that the more holy always takes precedence over what is less holy.


1

See Torah Temimah, note 9.

4)

Why does the Torah insert the (otherwise superfluous) words "LIfnei Hashem"?

1.

Zevachim, 16a: To confine the Mitzvah of standing whilst performing the Avodah to the Beis-Hamikdash, to preclude when serving on a Bamah. 1

2.

Rashi (in Zevachim, 27a: To teach us that every 'Sheirus' must be performed inside the Azarah - and that consequently, receiving the blood must be performed in a K'li Shareis in the Azarah.


1

See Torah Temimah, note 10.

5)

What are the connotations of "le'Varech bi'Shemo"?

1.

Rashi (in Eruvin, 18b): It means with the explicit (four-letter) Name of Hashem. 1


1

The way it is written.

6)

What is the connection between "La'amod Lifnei Hashem Leshorso u'Levarech bi'Shemo" and the Levi'im?

1.

Rashi: This Pasuk is talking about the entire Tribe of Levi, including the Kohanim. 1


1

Rashi in Zevachim, 26a also learns from this Pasuk that the Shechitah of Kodshim Kalim and the Kabalas ha'Dam must be performed in the Azarah.

7)

What are the connotations of "Levarech bi'Shemo"?

1.

Rashi: It means to bless the people with the Name of Hashem - the way it is written. 1


1

Which is what the Kohanim did in the Beis ha'Mikdash.

8)

Why does the Torah add the words "Ad ha'Yom ha'Zeh"?

1.

Ramban: With reference to the designation of Aharon and his descendents as Kohanim 1 - which was a permanent appointment. 2


1

Refer to 10:8:3:1.

2

Ramban: Which also explains why, in Pasuk 6, the Torah mentioned the appointment of Elazar after Aharon's death. ("Ad ha'Yom ha'Zeh" does not refer to Leviyim carrying the Aron, for this Avodah was basically only in the Midbar, and does not apply at all after the Beis ha'Mikdash was built.

9)

What do we learn from the Hekesh of Avodah to Berachah?

1.

Refer to Bamidbar 6:23:151:1.

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