BeMidbar 34-7

In the desert of

Numbers 4:1-20

"See that the Kohathite tribal clans are not cut off from the Levites. So that they may live and not die when they come near the most holy things, do this for them: Aaron and his sons are to go into the sanctuary and assign to each man his work and what he is to carry. But the Kohathites must not go in to look at the holy things, even for a moment, or they will die."

Num. 4:18-20 NIV

What is the price for being privileged?

The Levites were more privileged than the rest of the tribes, but any privilege comes with a price. Part of the price to pay in order to be able to carry the sacred objects was the risk of dying in case of not being careful when doing everything according to the strict rules of the Torah.

Being privileged implies exposure to more dangers. Being privileged implies greater responsibility. Being privileged implies being judged more severely. Being privileged implies making more effort to do things well. Being privileged implies also being watched by everyone else. Being privileged implies being object of envy and criticism. Being privileged implies paying a higher price than the rest of the people.

In the kingdom of heaven the equity rules. According to the amount of privileges one has, there will be the price to pay.

Shabbat shalom,

Ketriel