Parshat Beha’alotcha contains many mystical ideas; of critical importance, however, is the opening of the Parshah, which details the sanctification process of the Leviim, and their dedication to the service of Am Yisrael. Famously, Rambam writes of those who chose to dedicate themselves to the spiritual betterment of the world [Mishneh Torah Laws of Shemittah and Yovel, end of chapter 13]:
“...Not only the tribe of Levi, but any one of the inhabitants of the world whose spirit generously motivates him and he understands with his wisdom to set himself aside and stand before God to serve Him and minister to Him and to know God, proceeding justly as God made him, removing from his neck the yoke of the many reckonings which people seek, he is sanctified as holy of holies. God will be His portion and heritage forever and will provide what is sufficient for him in this world like He provides for the priests and the Levites. And thus David declared : "God is the lot of my portion; You are my cup, You support my lot..."
According to Rambam, the primary component of the separation of the tribe of Levi [including the Kohanim and Leviim] was their motivation to connect with the Divine Wisdom. This came to bear directly in the immediate aftermath of the making of the golden calf, where Moshe sought to purge from the Jews the influences and individuals that had inspired this evil; the Shevet of Levi took up Moshe’s rally call, and went to battle to avenge the honor of Hashem. According to the Midrash [see Midrash Rabbah here], Hashem viewed this act on the same level as the great sacrifices and tests that Avraham, Yitzchak, Yaakov, and Yosef had all overcome. The Rambam tells us, that the main attribute necessary to be on this exalted level is not bloodline or lineage, but rather the devotion and generosity of spirit that inspires and uplifts the rest of the world.
Generally speaking, the Leviim had two primary responsibilities during the times of the Beit Hamikdash-the opening and closing of the gates of the Holy Temple, and the providing of the mystical songs and musical accompaniment that would accompany the offering of the Korbanot. The theme of these two services was to honor Hashem by having a legion of officers directly devoted to the service [see Chinuch Mitzvah 395], and to create an atmosphere of authentic and divine joy, without which sincerely great spiritual levels cannot be reached [see Rambam Chapt. 8 Laws of Lulav]. Astoundingly, it is brought in the name of the Vilna Gaon, that the deepest secrets of the Torah cannot be understood without the wisdom of music, and one who is able to ascertain the divine nature of song, and the notes that the Leviim used in the Beit HaMikdash, can, according to the Gaon, bring the dead back to life.
While the above may seem fantastic, it is well understood amongst the classical commentaries that music was a necessary part of prophecy , without which communication with Hashem was impossible [except for Moshe Rabbeinu, who was able to have prophecy even without musical accompaniment]. Based on this, the Iyun Yaakov in Bava Batra [see page 12] comments, that after the destruction of the first Beit Hamikdash, prophecy basically became non-existent, for true simcha and divine joy, necessary preconditions for nevuah [prophecy], were no longer possible.
Understood in this vein, the idea of the Vilna Gaon-that the sublime secrets of the Torah are accessible only through the deepest musical notes of the Leviim-is well sourced.
With this perspective, we can turn to the end of the Midrash, which details the great musical revelations that will accompany the arrival of Moshiach-most notably, the addition of an 8th note to the musical scale, which currently only has 7. What is less well known, however, is the continuation of the Midrash, which concludes by detailing how, in the world to come-a period of existence sometime after the coming of the Moshiach-which will include the reincarnation of the dead, rather than 8 notes, the musical scale will expand to 10. The theme of the Midrash is, of course, that as the spiritual abilities of Am Yisrael increase [beginning with the arrival of Moshiach], correlatively, we will be able to fathom in ever greater fashion the secrets of the Torah through the songs of the Leviim, and ultimately merit reunification with all members of Am Yisrael who have passed.
Dedicated in memory of all those who have perished and sacrificed for Am Yisrael.