Midrash · Halachah
Sifrei Devarim 168/ספרי דברים קס״ח
א(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.
1Pisqa’ 1681481. “Now, should the Levite149 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 thosewho have not established their gates150 literally, “gates.” In the present context, “residences.” in another location[outside of Jerusalem],to the exclusion of Leviteswho 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 thosewho are [blemished and] unfit for service.
ב(דברים יח ו) מִכָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר הוּא גָּר שָׁם – בְּכָל מְקוֹמוֹת מוֹשְׁבוֹתֵיהֶם.
2“In all Israel, where he lives” (Dt. 18:6)—in any area of your settlements.
גוּבָא בְּכָל אַוַּת נַפְשׁוֹ, מִנַּיִן אַתָּה אוֹמֵר, כֹּהֵן בָּא וְנוֹשֵׂא אֶת כַּפָּיו בְּמִשְׁמָר שֶׁאֵינוֹ שֶׁלּוֹ? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: וּבָא בְּכָל אַוַּת נַפְשׁוֹ,
32. “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 Watch151. 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 onemay do so?The Teaching states:“And comes with whole-hearted yearning” (Dt. 18:6)—[his desire entitles him to offerthe Blessing out of assigned sequence].On what basis do you teach thatall [Watches] have an equal claimto offer the sacrifices of the Pilgrimage-festivalsthat are due on those Festivals?The Teaching states:“And comes with whole-hearted yearning” (Dt. 18:6)—[for his desire entitles him to offerthe Blessing out of assigned sequence].
דמִנַּיִן 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.
43. 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 timewhen Israel is gathered within a single gate,during [one of] the three Pilgrimage-festivals.