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The Torah in this week’s portion of Bamidbar states that Jewish firstborn males initially were meant to be the ones in charge of the service in the Mishkan and Beis Hamikdash. However ,they lost that opportunity due to their involvement in the sin of the golden calf. The job was instead given to the tribe of Levi for their lack of participation in this sin. “Hashem spoke to Moshe saying, Behold! I have taken the Leviim from among the Children of Israel, in place of every firstborn, the first issue of every womb among the Children of Israel, and the Levites shall be Mine. For every firstborn is Mine: On the day I struck down every firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified every firstborn in Israel for Myself, from man to beast; they shall be Mine, I am Hashem” (Bamidbar 3:11-13).
The Bechor Shor explains the exact reason of why the firstborn originally had the right and obligation to be in charge of the Holy Service and the ramifications of the transfer of power to the tribe of Levi. “‘Because for me are all the firstborn… in Israel.’ That I added upon them [mitzvos] from all the other Jews, for I saved them at the time of the plague of the firstborn. Another reason, for I smite the firstborn of Egypt because of the Jews, it thus justifiably follows that they should give to Me their firstborn to serve Me. And our Rabbis have taught that because they sinned by the calf they were invalidated from doing The Service and the Children of Levi who did not sin took their place, as it says in parshas Eikev that it discusses the episode of the golden calf and immediately it writes after that, ‘At that time, Hashem set apart the tribe of Levi…’ (Devarim 10:8). And it appears because of that episode they were set apart as it’s written, ‘But the Kohanim, the Levites, descendants of Tzadok, who safeguarded the charge of My Sanctuary when the Children of Israel strayed from Me…’ (Yechezkel 44:15). And according to the simple understanding it would seem that those who serve in the Mishkan are not befitting to have an inheritance of land in order so that they can focus their heart to their job of only serving Hashem, that they will be zrizim (quick with alacrity about it) and habitual in it (as if it is second nature). And the first born will take a double portion, and therefore Hashem took the Leviim in their place and commanded that they shouldn’t receive an inheritance of land.” (Click here for Hebrew text.)
The Chizkuni similarly adds a bit more clarity: “the firstborn were not befitting for inheriting land, for their job was only in the service of Hashem, and to be quick (with alacrity) and learned (routine) in it. When the Leviim took their place, Hashem commanded that the Leviim shouldn’t have a share in the inherited land, but rather the tithes should be given to them [to eat]. Therefore, the firstborn took a double part. The part they deserved and the part that should have gone to a Levite.” (Click here for Hebrew text.)
The Avoda in the Mishkan and Beis Hamikdash is the most honorable and respectable job in the world. It would seem that the Firstborn originally had rights to the Holy Service not just as gratitude for them being saved from the plague of the firstborn which only effected the Non-Jews in Egypt. Rather it is a sense of indebtedness, an obligation to serve Hashem in His palace because He saved their lives. This isn’t like any other job; everyone knows the boss of this job is the best in the world. The benefits are exceptional, lots of food, nice clothes, and though they don’t own land, the Levites have cities throughout the Land of Israel. Granted, a lot of the work that had to be done was quite intricate and taxing on the body but there was always a doctor on call besides the fact thet there were numerous miracles that helped the process along, and they were trained to be very scrupulous with how they did their job, as making a mistake could be deadly. If all this is true, then why was it necessary to not only not allow them to own land, but they were deemed unfit to own land and the land they were once entitled to was then given to the people who were punished by being stripped of these positions. Why did Hashem have to go to such extremes to ensure the Leviim stayed quick and meticulous to G-D’s service? Wasn’t the awe-inspiring thought of doing the holiest and most important work in the world capable of instilling enough Yiras Shamayim, Fear of Heaven, the King Of All Kings, Master Of The Universe and enough to ensure that they would stay focused in the utmost extent while serving in the Mishkan or Beis Hamikdash?
It would seem that a person can be on the highest level of Yiras Shamayim, fear of Hashem and His punishment, knowing that one mistake or bad intention can get him killed or severely punished spiritually, knowing that he is doing the most important and honorable work in the world in the holiest place in the world, the palace of Hashem in this world, and is getting paid well for it – but still in all Hashem feels that in order to ensure proper alacrity and habitualness during the Holy Service, he must not be allowed to own land because it might be a distraction from his duties. Hashem, who created us, understands how easily distractible the mind is. Even one who is super focused, if something of his, on his property, might not be right, he might not have the proper focus when doing the Holy Service. Therefore Hashem not only took away their ownership rights, but made the Levites incapable of owning land. He even gave the land that they would have gotten to the people who sinned and lost their chance to be the curators of the Holy Temple. We see how fragile the minds of man are and how easily distracted a person can get especially with their personal property therefore extra precautions must be taken to ensure hyper focus in their actions and super kavana.