Special Forces
Torah who feel that without an official po-
The Unique Role of Shevet Levi in Klal Yisroel
By Rav Moshe Shternbuch
The following was written
by Rabbi Daniel Yaakov Tr-
avis based on a shiur given by
Rav Moshe Shternbuch, Rosh
Av Beis Din of the Eidah Hac-
hareidis of Yerushalayim, sp-
ecifically 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 re-
bellion against Moshe Rabbeinu? His pro-
phetic vision tricked him, for he saw that great
individuals like Shmuel Hanovi, who was
equivalent to Moshe and Aharon, would de-
scend 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 chal-
lenge 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 el-
evate 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 relation-
ship 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 posi-
tion of special service of Hashem as the
lomdei Torah. They did not need the addi-
tional responsibilities of kehunah to achieve
their own personal greatness.
YATED NE’EMAN
Even today, there are those who learn
sition and title, they have not achieved any-
thing. Rav Yechezkel Abramsky would re-
peat Moshe Rabbeinu’s words to them:
“Lomdei Torah are the army of Hashem and
have been chosen to fufill a special posi-
tion. Each person who learns Torah has al-
ready 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 with-
out Yetzias Mitzrayim, Hashem’s special pro-
tection of the Jewish people is clearly demon-
strated 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 de-
struction 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 en-
tered 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 lim-
ited 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?”
It is also important to note that Rav
Dessler would call girls in seminary and
those who marry lomdei Torah “bnos To-
rah,” 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 fol-
lowers had rebelled, why did everyone de-
serve 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 apprecia-
tion 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 au-
thor of Shaylos U’Teshuvos Toras Chaim and
“Praying With Joy - A Daily Tefilla Compan-
ion,” a practical daily guide to improving
one’s prayers, available from Feldheim Pub-
lishers. For more information about his work,
contact dytravis@actcom.com.
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