Pisqa’ 168148H:198;JN2:42-43. 1. “Now, should the Levite149Heb: 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. 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 gates150Heb: sha`arecha; literally, “gates.” In the present context, “residences.” 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.
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 Watch151Hebrew: 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. 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.
(דברים יח ו) וְכִי יָבֹא הַלֵּוִי, יָכוֹל בְּבֶן לֵוִי וַדַּי הַכָּתוּב מְדַבֵּר? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: מֵאַחַד שְׁעָרֶיךָ, מִי שֶׁלֹּא נָטְלוּ שְׁעָרֵיהֶם בְּמָקוֹם אַחֵר; יָצְאוּ לְוִיִּם, שֶׁנָּטְלוּ שְׁעָרֵיהֶם בְּמָקוֹם אַחֵר. (דברים יח ז) ״וְשֵׁרֵת״ – בָּרָאוּי לְשָׁרֵת; יָצְאוּ לְוִיִּם, שֶׁאֵין רְאוּיִים לְשָׁרֵת.
Pisqa’ 168148H:198;JN2:42-43.
1. “Now, should the Levite149Heb: 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. 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 gates150Heb: sha`arecha; literally, “gates.” In the present context, “residences.” 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.
(דברים יח ו) מִכָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר הוּא גָּר שָׁם – בְּכָל מְקוֹמוֹת מוֹשְׁבוֹתֵיהֶם.
“In all Israel, where he lives” (Dt.18:6)—
in any area of your settlements.
וּבָא בְּכָל אַוַּת נַפְשׁוֹ, מִנַּיִן אַתָּה אוֹמֵר, כֹּהֵן בָּא וְנוֹשֵׂא אֶת כַּפָּיו בְּמִשְׁמָר שֶׁאֵינוֹ שֶׁלּוֹ? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: וּבָא בְּכָל אַוַּת נַפְשׁוֹ,
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 Watch151Hebrew: 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. 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].
מִנַּיִן אַתָּה אוֹמֵר כָּל הַמִּשְׁמָרוֹת שָׁוִים בְּקָרְבְּנוֹת הָרֶגֶל הַבָּאִים מֵחֲמַת הָרֶגֶל? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: וּבָא בְּכָל אַוַּת נַפְשׁוֹ. יָכוֹל לְעוֹלָם? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: מֵאַחַד שְׁעָרֶיךָ, בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁיִּשְׂרָאֵל מְכֻנָּסִים בְּשַׁעַר אֶחָד, בְּשָׁלֹשׁ רְגָלִים.
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.