Parshat Ekev: The Path of the Tribe of Levi is Open to All
In Parshat Ekev (Deuteronomy 10:8-9), it is stated: "At that time G-d set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the Ark of the Covenant of G-d, to stand before G-d to minister to Him and to bless in His name, to this day. Therefore, Levi has no portion or inheritance with his brothers; G-d is his inheritance, as G-d your G-d spoke to him. "These verses teach that the tribe of Levi was chosen by G-d for a special spiritual purpose: to perform sacred service, to stand before G-d, and to bless in His name. In return, they received no land inheritance, as G-d Himself is their "portion and inheritance."ย
Maimonides, in his Laws of Shemitah and Yovel (Chapter 13, Halacha 13), expands upon this idea: "Not only the tribe of Levi, but every single person in all of humanity whose spirit moves them, and whose intellect leads them to separate themselves to stand before G-d to serve Him and to know Him, and who walks uprightly as G-d made them, and casts off the yoke of the many worldly calculations that people seekโbehold, this person is sanctified as holy of holies, and G-d will be his portion and inheritance forever and ever..."
Maimonides set the destiny of the Levites as a spiritual model that every person in all of humanity can adopt. Anyone who chooses to separate themselves from material pursuits, to serve G-d, and to seek closeness to Him becomes "holy of holies," similar to the tribe of Levi. In such a case, G-d becomes their portion and inheritance, and they are provided with their needs in this world, just as was promised to the Levites. The phrase "all of humanity" carries a broad significance: it refers not only to Jews from all tribes but also includes Noahides.
According to Maimonides, a non-Jew who wishes to dedicate themselves and serve the Creator with a spirit similar to that of the tribe of Levi can fulfill this supreme spiritual destiny by being a Noahide, can merit sanctification and be connected directly to the Holy One, Blessed be He.
Rabbi Moshe Bernstein is the author of the books:ย
Light Onto the Nation. A Guide to the Seven Noahide Lawsย
Light Onto the Torah Portionsย
Insights on the Torah portions for Noahides.
Stories of Faith for Noahides: Inspiring Stories for Noahides from the Righteous of all Generations