📜 Daily Chumash & Rashi – Parshas Shoftim Shelishi: Mitzvos relating to the Levites and Kohanim

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Shelishi

1. Mitzvos relating to the Levites and Kohanim:
   • Inheritance: The tribe of Levi shall not receive a portion in Eretz Yisrael. His portion is the sacrifices of G-d.
   • The arm, jaw, and stomach presents: The Kohen receives the rights towards the arm, jaw (including the tongue) and stomach of a slaughtered animal of the people, whether oxen or sheep. One is to give it to the Kohen.
   • Teruma: The Kohen is to be given the first of your grain, wine, and oil [i.e. Teruma Gedola].
   • Reishis Hageiz: One is to give the Kohen the first sharing of wool from the sheep as Hashem has chosen him from amongst your tribes to serve Him.

 

📘 Rashi Q&A — Devarim 18:1–5

18:1–2 — The Portion of Levi

Q1. Which tribe is discussed in these verses?

1. The tribe of Levi, including the priests.

Q2. Does this include Levites with physical blemishes?

1. Yes. Rashi says the entire tribe of Levi is included, whether blemished or unblemished.

Q3. What does Levi not receive?

1. A share of war spoils and a territorial inheritance in the Land.

Q4. What does “portion” (חלק) refer to?

1. A share of battle spoils.

Q5. What does “inheritance” (נחלה) refer to?

1. Ownership of tribal land in Eretz Yisrael.

Q6. What are “Hashem’s fire-offerings” (אשי ה׳)?

1. Sacred offerings brought in the Temple.

Q7. What is “His inheritance”?

1. Gifts given to priests and Levites, such as terumah and tithes.

Q8. If Levi received no land, how were they supported?

1. Through Hashem’s gifts and sacred portions provided by the people.

Q9. What does “Hashem is their inheritance” mean?

1. Their livelihood comes from Divine service and gifts designated by Hashem.

Q10. To whom was this promise originally given?

1. To Aaron, when Hashem said, “I am your portion and your inheritance.”

 

18:3 — Priestly Gifts from Slaughtered Animals

Q11. Which animals are obligated in the priestly gifts?

1. Cattle and sheep.

Q12. Which animals are excluded?

1. Wild animals (חיה).

Q13. What three gifts must be given to the priest?

1. The foreleg, the cheeks, and the stomach.

Q14. What is the “foreleg” (זרוע)?

1. The front leg from above the lower leg up to the shoulder area.

Q15. What is included with the cheeks?

1. The tongue.

Q16. What symbolic reason is given for the foreleg?

1. It recalls Pinchas taking a spear in his hand.

Q17. Why are the cheeks given?

1. In recognition of Pinchas’ prayer on behalf of Israel.

Q18. Why is the stomach given?

1. In remembrance of Pinchas striking the sinful woman through the stomach.

 

18:4 — Terumah and the First Fleece

Q19. What is meant by “the first of your grain, wine and oil”?

1. Terumah given to the priest.

Q20. Does the Torah specify how much terumah must be given?

1. No.

Q21. What measure did the Sages establish for a generous giver?

1. One-fortieth.

Q22. What measure did they establish for an average giver?

1. One-fiftieth.

Q23. What measure did they establish for a minimal giver?

1. One-sixtieth.

Q24. What is “the first of the fleece”?

1. The first wool given to a priest when sheep are shorn.

Q25. What minimum amount did the Sages establish for this gift?

1. One-sixtieth of the wool.

Q26. How many sheep create this obligation?

1. Five sheep.

Q27. How does Rabbi Akiva derive the number five?

1. From the wording of the verse itself, which hints at five animals.

18:5 — The Priestly Calling

Q28. Why did Hashem choose the priests?

1. To stand and minister in His Name.

Q29. What halachic principle is learned from “to stand and serve”?

1. Temple service must be performed while standing.

Q30. How long does this priestly role continue?

1. For all generations, for the priest and his descendants.