| “I have given all of the tithes of Yisrael to the Levi’im as an inheritance, in exchange for their service in the Mishkan” (Bamidbar 18:21).
When Pharaoh endeavored to marry Sara Emenu in Parashat Lech Lecha, he gave her the Land of Goshen as a gift. Sara’s association with Goshen sanctified the land due to her great spiritual elevation. HaShem, in His infinite wisdom, prepared in advance a holy place for Klal Yisrael to live when the future famine would force them to come to Egypt. In light of this, Yoseph chose Goshen as the land for his family to dwell.
Initially, the Egyptians began the enslavement of Klal Yisrael with soft words and financial incentives. Pharaoh offered them jobs to build new cites in Egypt, and paid them for their efforts. All the tribes, with the exception of the Levi’im, submitted to Pharaoh’s ploy. They left Goshen and the cradle of Torah learning. The Levi’im remained in Goshen, where they immersed themselves in Torah study and were protected both from the bondage as well as the impurity of Egypt.
Pharaoh could not rescind his royal decree allowing the Jewish Nation to live in Goshen. However, he cut off their food supply, hoping to compel the Levi”im into bondage. However, the Levi’im stood tough and would not leave Goshen for any reason. Yet, how did they survive?
The rest of Klal Yisrael, who eventually were enslaved, received a minimal amount of daily rations from Pharaoh. Amazingly, they separated a portion of their sparse provisions and sent it to their brethren in Goshen! The selfless kindness of Klal Yisrael provided the Levi’im with their daily bread.
The Children of Israel were incredibly brave! Not only did they not complain that the Levi’im remained free in Goshen, while they were pressed into terrible slavery. Even more, they shared their limited rations with the Levi’im, who were living with honor and freedom in the Land of Goshen. No one person said, “Why should I give up my family’s food to the Levi’im. Let them work like us and they will receive food from Pharaoh.”
The good Jews of Egypt, shared their bread with their brethren, before HaShem performed any miracle for them. They did not see the Ten Plagues, they did not witness HaShem reveal the Torah at Mount Sinai, nor did they see the daily Mannah in the desert every day for forty years.
Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai said in the Zohar, “There will not be another generation as great as the generation of the Exodus until the generation of the final redemption.” May we be inspired by their wonderful kindness to rise to the occasion to help our fellow man, to honor the Torah, and to serve HaShem with joy. (Based on Lev Eliyahu of Rabbi Eliyahu Lopian)
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