Parashat Shoftim - Third Aliyah

Levi without an inheritance, for the sake of the public soul

The aliyah sets out an exceptional model: “Lo yihyeh lakohanim halviyim kol shevet Levi chelek venachalah im Yisrael” (the Levitical priests, the whole tribe of Levi, shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel, 18:1), and their livelihood comes from the sacred, “ishei Adonai venachalato yochelun” (they shall eat the fire offerings of Adonai and His inheritance, 18:1), “Adonai hu nachalato” (Adonai is his inheritance, 18:2). This way those who serve the spirit are not bound to land and to economic interests.

The priests’ due, what is given and why

The public grants the priest “hazroa vehalechayayim vehakevah” (the shoulder, the two cheeks and the stomach, 18:3), and also “Reshit degancha tiroshcha veyitzharecha” (the first of your grain, your wine and your oil) and “vereshit gez tzoncha” (the first shearing of your flock, 18:4). This is an economy of gratitude: you begin with the first, and from it you sustain the one who gives the people back a first portion of meaning.

Chosen for a role

The priest is not merely supported. He is chosen: “la’amod lesharet beshem Adonai hu uvanav kol hayamim” (to stand and serve in the name of Adonai, he and his sons, all the days, 18:5). A continuous mission that obliges the people to support, and the priest to serve.

A healthy community knows how to fund values. When you give from the first, you get back a spiritual center that does not depend on real estate and on power, but on standing daily “lesharet beshem Adonai” (to serve in the name of Adonai).