Can Anyone Be a Levite? The Unconventional Takeaway From the Korach Story
The rebellion erupted.
Korach, a member of the tribe of Levi, leads a rebellion against Moses and Aaron's leadership. "the entire congregation are all holy, and the Lord is in their midst", they proclaimed, "So why", says Korach, "do you raise yourselves above the Lord's assembly?"
In the aftermath of the rebellion's tragic results, G-d reiterates the unique status and position of the priests and the Levites, who are appointed to perform the service in the temple and who, therefore do not receive a portion within the land of Israel, and rely instead on the produce gifted to them by the Israelites. The Torah states that G-d tells the Levite that he will not receive a portion in the land of Israel, instead:
"I am your inheritance and portion among the children of Israel." (Numbers 17:20)
Quoting this verse, Maimonides states what seems to be the precise opposite of the message of this week's Torah portion and the exact opposite of the original meaning of the verse. Maimonides states that not only the tribe of Levi but any person can attain this level of holiness, concerning whom G-d states, "I am your inheritance".
Maimonides describes the unique position of the tribe of Levi:
Why did the Levites not receive a portion in the inheritance of Eretz Yisrael and in the spoils of war like their brethren? Because they were set aside to serve God and minister unto Him and to instruct people at large in His just paths and righteous judgments, as [Deuteronomy 33:10] states: "They will teach Your judgments to Jacob and Your Torah to Israel." Therefore they were set apart from the ways of the world. They do not wage war like the remainder of the Jewish people, nor do they receive an inheritance, nor do they acquire for themselves through their physical power. Instead, they are God's legion, as [ibid.:11]: states: "God has blessed His legion" and He provides for them, as [Numbers 18:20] states: "I am your portion and your inheritance."
Maimonides then continues to explain that, in fact, any person can attain the same degree of holiness:
Not the tribe of Levi alone, but rather any one of the inhabitants of the world whose spirit generously motivates him and he understands with his wisdom to set himself aside and stand before G-d to serve Him and minister to Him and to know G-d, proceeding justly as G-d made him, removing from his neck the yoke of the many reckonings which people seek, he is sanctified as holy of holies. God will be His portion and heritage forever and will provide what is sufficient for him in this world like He provides for the priests and the Levites. And thus David declared : "God is the lot of my portion; You are my cup, You support my lot."
While the conventional understanding is that the story's objective is to discourage an attempt to be like Korach and demand additional spiritual holiness, according to Maimonides, the precise opposite is true. The takeaway of the story is that anybody can achieve the holiness of a Levite and even a high priest, provided they do not follow the model of Korach,, who rebelled against Aaron in order to achieve the status of priesthood in the literal sense, but rather "any one of the inhabitants of the world" can attain the status of a Levite and Priest, by learning from Aaron's example and achieving the devotion and holiness of the Priest in the spiritual sense, by sharing the Torah wisdom and inspiration with others.
In 1990, the Rebbe presented this interpretation of Maimonides and suggested what, perhaps, captures the Rebbe's essential and eternal message for each of us. Each person, said the Rebbe, should follow this teaching of Maimonides and see himself or herself as a Levite. Each and every person can share the wisdom of the Torah, by increasing their own learning and then sharing with others. Each and every person should establish a formal or informal Torah class and teach the Torah's Divine wisdom to the people in their circle of influence.
[in this video clip, esteemed philanthropist Mr. Sami Rohr of blessed memory, father of our dear friend and member of Chabad of Greenwich Mr. George Rohr, headed the Rebbe’s call and then visited the Rebbe to offer thanks for encouraging him to teach a Torah class to others in his community.]
As we approach the Rebbe's thirtieth Yahrtzeit, this Monday night, the Third of Tamuz, let us internalize the Rebbe's inspiration and calling. Each of us is a Levite. Each of us is responsible for building a figurative temple and home for G-d in our surroundings, ultimately transforming the entire earth into a dwelling place for the Divine presence with the coming of Moshiach.