Parshat Bamidbar ends with Hashem commanding regarding the caretaking of the Mishkan [Bamidbar 4’ 17’-20’]:
“...Hashem spoke to Moshe and to Aharon, saying:
Do not cut off the tribe of the families of the Kehosites, from among the Levites.
This is what you must do for them, that they may live and not die when they approach the Holy of Holies; Aharon and his sons shall [first] come and appoint them each man individually, to [perform] his own service, and to carry his own load.
They shall not come in to see when the holy is being covered and [they will not] die.’’
The Possuk is detailing the responsibility the Kohanim would have over the Leviim, to ensure that proper respect was always demonstrated when taking care of the various materials that were used as part of the Mishkan.
The Ba’al HaTurim notes that the Torah appears to be redundant in this command; The Hebrew words used here are “וְחָיוּ֙ וְלֹ֣א יָמֻ֔תוּ"--which translates as “so that they shall live and not die". Seemingly, the Torah’s usage of this phrase implies an emphasis on the great sanctity and value of life that Judaism contains.
Ba’al HaTurim explains further, that the Hebrew word “וחיו" is found only twice in the entire Tanach; once over here, in reference to the Leviim’s duties to guard the Mishkan materials, and once towards the end of Sefer Zechariah, where the Navi states, regarding the future redemption of Am Yisrael [Chapter 10 Verse 9]:
“...For though I sowed them among the nations,
In the distant places they shall remember Me,
They shall live [וחיו] with their children and shall return…"
The above Possuk is describing the eternal existence that is the heritage of the Jewish people; despite our nation’s wandering across exile after exile, Hashem will be remembered, and redemption will take place, and the Jewish people will return to Israel, along with their precious children. Ba’al HaTurim adds, that the fact that the word “וחיו" is only found in these two instances allows the two sentences to be read as one-thus, the Verses can be read as “They shall live [וחיו] with their children and shall return, so that they shall live [וחיו] and not die."
Taken in this vein, Ba’al HaTurim explains that the Torah is communicating that a time will come, when the angel of death will be nullified, and Am Yisrael will bask in the glory of Hashem. Left unexplained, however, is the connection between this idea, and the actual Pesukim in Bamidbar [referenced above] that contain the words “וחיו ולא ימותו"; what does the caretaking of the Mishkan materials have to do with the future redemption?
Perhaps the answer lies in the fact that there were defined missions and purposes for each individual involved in the loading of the Mishkan-as the Possuk says, “Aharon and his sons shall [first] come and appoint them, each man individually, to [perform] his own service…". We can suggest that in this rests the secret to unlocking the future redemption-when we recognize that each member of Am Yisrael has their own distinct purpose and contribution to make for the betterment of the Jewish people, we can then proceed to construct and create the conditions for the future redemption!
There can be no greater message than the above for the upcoming holiday of Shavuot. At the time of the acceptance of the Torah, the Jews were totally united, with one goal and purpose; that unity was so sublime and pure, that the Jews were freed completely from the angel of death [see Avodah Zarah 4A]. This lofty state lasted for a mere 40 days, when the Jews broke into factions and proceeded to create the golden calf, which led to the shattering of the Luchot [tablets] and the return of mortality and exile, for the next 3500 years.
Let us take this message to heart, and respect the worth that each individual brings to the table, and with that perspective, may we merit to witness the coming to fruition of the words of Zechariah:
“...For though I sowed them among the nations,
In the distant places they shall remember Me,
They shall live [וחיו] with their children and shall return…"
Dedicated in memory of all those who have perished and sacrificed for Am Yisrael.
Have a Great Shabbat\Shavuot!