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Numbers 18:20 - Kohen's divine inheritance alone

Numbers 18:20 - במדבר 18:20

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל־אַהֲרֹן בְּאַרְצָם לֹא תִנְחָל וְחֵלֶק לֹא־יִהְיֶה לְךָ בְּתוֹכָם אֲנִי חֶלְקְךָ וְנַחֲלָתְךָ בְּתוֹךְ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל׃

English Translation

And the Lord spoke to Aharon, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy portion and thy inheritance among the children of Yisra᾽el.

Transliteration

Va'yomer Adonai el-Aharon be'artzam lo tinchal ve'chelek lo yihyeh lecha betocham ani chelkecha ve'nachalat'cha betoch bnei Yisrael.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶֽל־אַהֲרֹ֗ן בְּאַרְצָם֙ לֹ֣א תִנְחָ֔ל וְחֵ֕לֶק לֹא־יִהְיֶ֥ה לְךָ֖ בְּתוֹכָ֑ם אֲנִ֤י חֶלְקְךָ֙ וְנַחֲלָ֣תְךָ֔ בְּת֖וֹךְ בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ <span class="mam-spi-samekh">{ס}</span>        
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶֽל־אַהֲרֹ֗ן בְּאַרְצָם֙ לֹ֣א תִנְחָ֔ל וְחֵ֕לֶק לֹא־יִהְיֶ֥ה לְךָ֖ בְּתוֹכָ֑ם אֲנִ֤י חֶלְקְךָ֙ וְנַחֲלָ֣תְךָ֔ בְּת֖וֹךְ בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ {ס}        

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Parasha Commentary

The Portion of Aharon and the Kohanim

The verse (Bamidbar 18:20) states that Aharon and his descendants, the Kohanim, would not receive a territorial inheritance in Eretz Yisrael like the other tribes. Instead, Hashem declares, "I am your portion and your inheritance". Rashi explains that this means the Kohanim would be sustained through the gifts given to them from the offerings and tithes (Terumah, Ma'aser, etc.), as their role was to serve in the Mishkan and later the Beis HaMikdash.

Spiritual vs. Physical Inheritance

Rambam (Hilchos Shemittah V'Yovel 13:12) elaborates that the Kohanim and Levi'im were set apart for divine service, and their sustenance came from the people's contributions. Unlike the other tribes, who worked the land, the Kohanim were to focus entirely on their sacred duties. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 18:20) teaches that their lack of a physical inheritance was a privilege, as their portion was Hashem Himself—a spiritual inheritance greater than land.

The Deeper Meaning of "I Am Your Portion"

The Sforno comments that the phrase "I am your portion" signifies that the Kohanim would receive their sustenance directly through divine providence, as their service connected them to Hashem in a unique way. The Talmud (Yoma 72b) compares this to the verse in Tehillim (16:5), "Hashem is the portion of my cup", indicating that their closeness to Hashem was their true reward.

Practical Implications

  • The Kohanim were prohibited from owning land in Eretz Yisrael (Ramban, Bamidbar 18:20).
  • They received portions from korbanos, Terumah, and other gifts (Chizkuni).
  • Their role was to teach Torah and serve in the Mishkan/Beis HaMikdash (Malbim).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Yoma 75a
The verse is discussed in the context of the Levites' inheritance and their special relationship with God, emphasizing that their portion is not in the land but in divine service.
📖 Bava Batra 122a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the division of the Land of Israel among the tribes, highlighting the unique status of the Levites who do not receive a territorial inheritance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why didn't the Kohanim (priests) receive a portion of land in Israel?
A: Hashem designated the Kohanim to serve in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and later the Beit Hamikdash (Temple), dedicating their lives to spiritual service. Since their role was to serve all of Israel, they did not receive a physical land inheritance like the other tribes. Instead, as the verse states, 'I am your portion and your inheritance' - their 'inheritance' was the privilege of serving Hashem and receiving from the gifts brought to the Temple (Rashi, Bamidbar 18:20).
Q: What does it mean that Hashem is the 'portion' of the Kohanim?
A: This means that instead of receiving physical land like the other tribes, the Kohanim's primary sustenance and spiritual reward came from their holy service to Hashem. They received portions from certain sacrifices (like parts of korbanot), terumah (heave offerings), and other gifts that Jews were commanded to give to the Kohanim (Rambam, Hilchot Shemita 13:12-13). Their 'inheritance' was spiritual rather than material.
Q: How does this verse apply to Jews today?
A: While today we don't have the Beit Hamikdash or active Kohanim service, this verse teaches that spiritual service to Hashem is the highest form of 'inheritance.' Just as the Kohanim were sustained through their dedication to Hashem, we learn to prioritize our relationship with Hashem above material possessions. Additionally, we still have mitzvot that remind us of the Kohanim's role, such as giving the first aliyah to a Kohen when reading the Torah (Talmud, Gittin 59b).