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Special Forces The Unique Role of Shevet Levi in Klal Yisroel By Rav Moshe Shternbuch The following was written by Rabbi Daniel Yaakov Travis based on a shiur given by Rav Moshe Shternbuch, Rosh Av Beis Din of the Eidah Hachareidis of Yerushalayim, specifically for publication in the Yated. COMING DOWN TO THE PEOPLE “Why did Korach, who was an intelligent person, make the unwise choice to start a rebellion against Moshe Rabbeinu? His prophetic vision tricked him, for he saw that great individuals like Shmuel Hanovi, who was equivalent to Moshe and Aharon, would descend from him…He said to himself, ‘All of this greatness is destined to come from me and I should stand idly by [while others bask in greatness]?’” (Rashi, Korach 16:7). Korach was a complex individual and his actions are extremely difficult to understand. He was so confident of his position that he was willing to take up Moshe Rabbeinu’s challenge to offer ketores and let Hashem decide the matter. In reality, Korach accepted that Moshe Rabbeinu was a holy person. He also did not dispute that Moshe was closer to Hashem than anyone else in Klal Yisroel. Their point of dissension was how to deal with the rest of the Jewish people. Moshe Rabbeinu wanted to try and elevate Klal Yisroel closer to his level. He

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understood that raising each individual up would make Klal Yisroel a holier nation. Each person could use his unique strengths to try and forge an intimate bond with Hashem, just like Moshe Rabbeinu. Korach, on the other hand, argued that the entire Jewish nation was already holy. As long as each Jew felt in his heart a strong bond with Hashem, he need not strive higher. Rather, the leader should come down to his level. Korach felt that Moshe Rabbeinu’s aspirations were far too high, and his own leadership strategy would be of greater benefit to the Jewish people. On the surface, Korach’s argument seemed to make sense, yet as a general rule for Klal Yisroel, it is lacking. Unlike some other religions, which emphasize belief in G-d as the sole source of salvation, Judaism is clear that belief must be translated into specific actions in order to build a relationship with the Almighty. Korach’s platform was in essence just a pretext designed to get hold of the leadership of Klal Yisroel. CONTENT WITH YOUR LOT Moshe Rabbeinu understood that Korach was really just interested in self advancement and thus replied, “Is it not enough that Hashem separated you from the rest of the Jewish people? You also want kehunah?” Shevet Levi already held a privileged position of special service of Hashem as the lomdei Torah. They did not need the additional responsibilities of kehunah to achieve their own personal greatness.

Even today, there are those who learn Torah who feel that without an official position and title, they have not achieved anything. Rav Yechezkel Abramsky would repeat Moshe Rabbeinu’s words to them: “Lomdei Torah are the army of Hashem and have been chosen to fufill a special position. Each person who learns Torah has already achieved greatness.” One of the many benefits of Torah learning is that it protects the Jewish people and allows the physical army to successfully ward off our enemies. The Yaavetz points out that even without Yetzias Mitzrayim, Hashem’s special protection of the Jewish people is clearly demonstrated by the fact that we have continued to survive throughout the generations despite the hardships we have endured, and the ever-present threats to annihilate us. Torah study is the fuel which keeps this Divine protection active. The Ramban brings another proof of the extraordinary Divine protection that surrounds the Jewish people. The Nevi’im have promised that Yerushalayim will remain in a state of destruction until the time of the final redemption. Even though Yerushalayim is the holy city for many of the major religions, the city was not rebuilt throughout the ages, in fulfillment of the prophet’s words. Only now that we have entered the final period before the arrival of Moshiach do we see a change in this situation. Shevet Levi is the true army of Hashem. As the Rambam writes at the end of Hilchos Shemittah V’Yovel, this privilege is not limited to Shevet Levi. Anyone who takes upon themselves the yoke of Torah learning is counted among these special forces. This is what Moshe Rabbeinu meant when he told Korach, “Isn’t it sufficient that Hashem has chosen you from among the Jewish people?”

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It is also important to note that Rav Dessler would call girls in seminary and those who marry lomdei Torah “bnos Torah,” for they also play a key role in this unique task. HONORABLE MENTION After the incident with Korach, Hashem told Moshe Rabbeinu, “Let me wipe out the Jewish people.” If only Korach and his followers had rebelled, why did everyone deserve destruction? By allowing the revolt of Korach to take place, Klal Yisroel had disgraced Moshe Rabbeinu. Belittling the honor of a talmid chochom is a very severe transgression. So much so that Chazal tell us that whoever says, “What do the talmidei chachomim do for us?” does not have a place in the World to Come. Korach’s philosophy about the leadership of Klal Yisroel undermined the role of talmidei chachomim and viewed Torah learning as just another mitzvah. In truth, Torah study is what protects and sustains Klal Yisroel, and those who learn Torah are truly the “special forces” of the Jewish people. Let us all try and strengthen our appreciation and commitment to the mitzvah of limud haTorah, and in doing so, may Hashem allow us to see the downfall of the enemies of the Jewish people with our own eyes. ••••• Rabbi Travis is a rosh kollel of Kollel Toras Chaim in Yerushalayim, and is the author of Shaylos U’Teshuvos Toras Chaim and “Praying With Joy - A Daily Tefilla Companion,” a practical daily guide to improving one’s prayers, available from Feldheim Publishers. For more information about his work, contact [email protected].

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