The Tithe of the Soul – Levi, Holiness, and the Return of the Bechor - Bechukotai

Today, I want to begin with an idea from one of our generation’s great poskim and teachers, HaRav Asher Weiss, shlit”a. He offers a beautiful insight into the nature of the Kohanim and Leviim—and what it means for us, today. We all know that originally, it wasn’t supposed to be this way. The Torah tells us that it was Hashem’s original intention for the bechor, the firstborn of each Jewish family, to serve in the Mishkan, just as they had done at Har Sinai—offering korbanot on behalf of the nation in preparation for Matan Torah. But then came the chet ha’egel, the sin of the Golden Calf. And with that fall, the firstborn lost their sanctity. They were replaced by the Leviim—the only shevet who did not participate in the sin. But as Rav Asher Weiss explains, this wasn’t a mere replacement. This was the unveiling of something deeper. Because in truth, the Tribe of Levi had always been destined for this role. Yaakov Avinu himself foresaw it.