Pisqa’ 1681
1
“Now, should the Levite2 come from one of your towns in all Israel” (Dt.18:6).
Is it possible to say that
[the verse applies only to] a lineal descendant of Levi?
The Teaching states:
“From one of your gates” (Dt.18:6)—
this refers to those
who have not established their gates3 in another location
[outside of Jerusalem],
to the exclusion of Levites
who have established their gates in another location.
“Then he shall serve” (Dt.18:7)—
those who, [being unblemished,] are fit for service;
but [the rule] excludes those
who are [blemished and] unfit for service.
“In all Israel, where he lives” (Dt.18:6)—
in any area of your settlements.
2
“And comes with whole-hearted yearning” (Dt.18:6)—
on what basis do you claim that
[a levitical] Priest who wants to raise his hands [for the Priestly Blessing]
at a Watch4 other than his assigned one
may do so?
The Teaching states:
“And comes with whole-hearted yearning” (Dt.18:6)—
[his desire entitles him to offer
the Blessing out of assigned sequence].
On what basis do you teach that
all [Watches] have an equal claim
to offer the sacrifices of the Pilgrimage-festivals
that are due on those Festivals?
The Teaching states:
“And comes with whole-hearted yearning” (Dt.18:6)—
[for his desire entitles him to offer
the Blessing out of assigned sequence].
3
Is it possible to say that
[this rule] always applies?
The Teaching states:
“From one of your gates” (Dt.18:6).
It applies only at a time
when Israel is gathered within a single gate,
during [one of] the three Pilgrimage-festivals.
- H:198;JN2:42-43.
- Heb: halewi. The Levite at issue here is, in the terminology of Deuteronmy, “a levitical Priest” (kohanim halewiyim; Dt.18:1ff.), not a separate “Levite” clan. Therefore, Sifre’s entire discussion in Pisqa’ 168 assumes that “the Levite” is a full-fledged Priest with certain “levitical” prerogatives, such as a claim to levitically-directed tithes.
- Heb: sha`arecha; literally, “gates.” In the present context, “residences.”
- Hebrew: mishmar. Priestly families were divided into 52 Watches or “shifts”(mishmar/ot) of a week’s duration (see 1Chron,24:7-31, M. Suk.5:7-8). At issue here is the practice of trading among the assigned shifts.