Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Deuteronomy 31:25 mean?
A: This verse describes Moshe (Moses) giving a command to the Levites, who were responsible for carrying the Ark of the Covenant (Aron HaBrit). According to Rashi, this was part of Moshe's final instructions before his passing, ensuring the Torah would be preserved and taught to future generations.
Q: Why were the Levites chosen to carry the Ark?
A: The Levites were chosen because of their dedication to serving Hashem, especially after their loyalty during the incident of the Golden Calf (Shemot 32:26-29). The Rambam explains that their role as bearers of the Ark symbolized their spiritual responsibility to uphold and transmit Torah values.
Q: What can we learn from the Levites carrying the Ark?
A: We learn the importance of being entrusted with sacred responsibilities. The Midrash teaches that just as the Levites physically carried the Ark, we must 'carry' the Torah in our lives by studying it, living by its teachings, and passing it on to others.
Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: Just as the Levites had a special role in safeguarding the Ark, every Jew has a role in preserving Torah tradition. The Talmud (Yoma 72b) compares Torah scholars to the Ark's bearers, showing that Torah study and observance are our way of 'carrying' the divine covenant forward.
Q: What was Moshe commanding the Levites to do in this verse?
A: According to the Sifrei (a halachic Midrash), Moshe was instructing the Levites to place the Sefer Torah (Torah scroll) he had written beside the Ark as a eternal witness for the Jewish people. This ensured the Torah would always be accessible for study and guidance.
The Command to the Levites
The verse states: "וַיְצַו מֹשֶׁה אֶת־הַלְוִיִּם נֹשְׂאֵי אֲרוֹן בְּרִית־יְהוָה לֵאמֹר" ("And Moshe commanded the Levites, who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying"). This directive appears in Devarim (Deuteronomy) 31:25, where Moshe instructs the Levites regarding the placement of the Sefer Torah beside the Ark of the Covenant.
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi (Devarim 31:25) explains that Moshe commanded the Levites—specifically the Kohanim among them—who carried the Ark, to take the Sefer Torah and place it beside the Ark. This was to serve as a perpetual witness for Bnei Yisrael, ensuring they would not stray from the Torah's teachings. Rashi emphasizes that the Ark referred to here is the Ark of the Covenant, which housed the Luchot HaBrit (Tablets of the Covenant).
The Role of the Levites
The Levi'im (Levites) were entrusted with the sacred duty of carrying the Ark, as derived from Bamidbar (Numbers) 4:15. The Kohanim, a subset of the Levites, were responsible for its handling during travel and in the Mishkan (Tabernacle). The Midrash Tanchuma (Vayelech 2) elaborates that this commandment reinforced the Levites' role as spiritual guardians of the nation, ensuring the Torah's teachings remained accessible and revered.
The Significance of the Ark and the Torah
Halachic Implications
The Rambam (Maimonides) in Hilchot Klei HaMikdash (2:12) rules that the Ark was to be carried on the shoulders of the Kohanim, not transported by wagon, as a sign of honor. This principle extends to the reverence due to the Torah itself, which must always be treated with the utmost dignity.