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Numbers 18:24 - Levites' tithe, no land inheritance

Numbers 18:24 - במדבר 18:24

Hebrew Text

כִּי אֶת־מַעְשַׂר בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר יָרִימוּ לַיהוָה תְּרוּמָה נָתַתִּי לַלְוִיִּם לְנַחֲלָה עַל־כֵּן אָמַרְתִּי לָהֶם בְּתוֹךְ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לֹא יִנְחֲלוּ נַחֲלָה׃

English Translation

But the tithes of the children of Yisra᾽el, which they offer as a gift to the Lord, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said to them, Among the children of Yisra᾽el they shall have no inheritance.

Transliteration

Ki et-ma'asar bnei-Yisrael asher yarimu la-Adonai teruma natati la-Levi'im le-nachala al-ken amarti lahem be-toch bnei Yisrael lo yinchalu nachala.

Hebrew Leining Text

כִּ֞י אֶת־מַעְשַׂ֣ר בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אֲשֶׁ֨ר יָרִ֤ימוּ לַֽיהֹוָה֙ תְּרוּמָ֔ה נָתַ֥תִּי לַלְוִיִּ֖ם לְנַחֲלָ֑ה עַל־כֵּן֙ אָמַ֣רְתִּי לָהֶ֔ם בְּתוֹךְ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לֹ֥א יִנְחֲל֖וּ נַחֲלָֽה׃ <span class="mam-spi-pe">{פ}</span><br>
כִּ֞י אֶת־מַעְשַׂ֣ר בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אֲשֶׁ֨ר יָרִ֤ימוּ לַֽיהֹוָה֙ תְּרוּמָ֔ה נָתַ֥תִּי לַלְוִיִּ֖ם לְנַחֲלָ֑ה עַל־כֵּן֙ אָמַ֣רְתִּי לָהֶ֔ם בְּתוֹךְ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לֹ֥א יִנְחֲל֖וּ נַחֲלָֽה׃ {פ}

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Commandment of Tithes to the Levites

The verse (Bamidbar 18:24) establishes the halachic principle that the Levites are to receive the ma'aser (tithe) from Bnei Yisrael in place of a territorial inheritance in Eretz Yisrael. Rashi explains that this tithe is the ma'aser rishon (first tithe), which is given to the Levites as their portion, as they were set apart for Divine service and did not receive a portion of land like the other tribes.

Reason for the Levites' Exclusion from Land Inheritance

Rambam (Hilchot Shemitah ve'Yovel 13:12) elaborates that since the Levites were designated for avodat Hashem (service to G-d) in the Mishkan and later the Beit HaMikdash, they were not to be distracted by agricultural labor. The Sforno adds that their lack of land inheritance ensured their dependence on the tithes, reinforcing their role as spiritual leaders who would inspire the nation in Torah and mitzvot.

Halachic Implications of Ma'aser Rishon

  • The tithe must be given from grain, wine, and oil (Devarim 14:23), as derived from the Talmud (Chullin 131b).
  • Even after the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash, ma'aser rishon retains its sanctity, as ruled by the Rambam (Hilchot Terumot 1:26).
  • The Levite must separate terumat ma'aser (a tenth of the tithe) for the Kohen, as taught in the Mishnah (Terumot 4:3).

Spiritual Significance

The Midrash Tanchuma (Korach 10) emphasizes that this arrangement teaches the interdependence of Klal Yisrael: just as the Levites rely on the tithes from the people, the people rely on the Levites for spiritual guidance. The Netziv (Ha'amek Davar) adds that this system ensures that material blessings (symbolized by the land) remain connected to their Divine source through the Levites' service.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chullin 131b
The verse is cited in a discussion about the tithes given to the Levites and their inheritance rights among the children of Israel.
📖 Bava Batra 122a
Referenced in the context of discussing the Levites' lack of territorial inheritance in the land of Israel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Numbers 18:24 mean?
A: Numbers 18:24 explains that the tithes (ma'aser) given by the Israelites are designated as a gift to Hashem and are given to the Levites as their inheritance. Since the Levites did not receive a portion of land in Israel like the other tribes, their sustenance came from these tithes.
Q: Why did the Levites not receive land like the other tribes?
A: The Levites were chosen by Hashem to serve in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and later the Beit HaMikdash (Temple). Since their role was spiritual service, they did not receive a physical portion of land (Rashi on Numbers 18:20). Instead, their 'inheritance' was the tithes given by the other tribes.
Q: What is the significance of tithes (ma'aser) in Judaism?
A: Tithes (ma'aser) are an important mitzvah in Judaism, showing gratitude to Hashem by supporting those who serve in spiritual roles (the Levites) and the poor. The Talmud (Ta'anit 9a) teaches that separating tithes brings blessings and sustains the spiritual and physical wellbeing of the Jewish people.
Q: Do we still give tithes today?
A: While the biblical obligation of giving tithes to the Levites applies when the Beit HaMikdash is standing, today we still uphold the principle of tithing by giving ma'aser kesafim (a tenth of one's earnings) to tzedakah (charity) as discussed in Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 249).
Q: What can we learn from Numbers 18:24 today?
A: This verse teaches the importance of supporting those who dedicate their lives to Torah and spiritual service. Just as the Levites relied on the community's tithes, today we should support Torah scholars and institutions that uphold Jewish tradition (Rambam, Hilchot Matnot Aniyim 10:1-2).