Bamidbar 1:50
What is the meaning of "Hafkeid es ha'Levi'im"?
. R. Bachye #1: It is telling us that the reason for "Ach es ha'Levi'im Lo Sifkod" in Pasuk 50 is due to to their superior level - in order that they should take charge of the Mishkan.
This was the quoted text for the source above. I was just wondering, I thought all Achin Vrakin are Lema'et--so why would this be a good explanation for Shevet Levi being better?
S. T.
Shalom u'Vrachah,
The word "Ach" is indeed always a Mi'ut, but "Mi'ut" does not mean that the thing being excluded is on a lower level. It simply means that something is being excluded from the general rule being discussed.
Here, "Ach Es Mateh Levi Lo Sifkod" excludes Shevet Levi from the general census of Bnei Yisrael. The question is why they are being excluded. Rabeinu Bachye explains that it is actually because of their higher status: they were set apart from the rest of Bnei Yisrael in order to be appointed over the Mishkan.
So, "Ach" is certainly a Mi'ut. It excludes the Leviyim from the census, not from their superior level. In fact, their special status is the reason for the exclusion.
Kol Tuv,
Aharon Steiner