Count the sons of Levi ... from one month and up you shall count them
Shevet Levi was counted twice: when they were a month old, and again when they reached the age of thirty, the time to perform the service in the Mishkan. If so, why count them from one month old and recounting at the age of thirty? However the Rambam (end of Hilchos Shemitta) and Rabbeinu Nissim (Mesichta Nedarim) compare Shevet Levi to Talmidei Chachamin. This counting is a lesson in Chinuch. The preparation of Chinuch for a child begins at 30 days. Indeed, we find that the mother of the Tanna Reb Yehoshua Ben Chananiah, wheeled his cradle into the Beis Hamidrash so that he would absorb the sounds of Torah study. Later on he reminded the sages of forgotten halachos that he remembered from when his mother took him to the Beis Hamidrash. The Chazon Ish always told his Talmidim that chinuch starts at birth. Hence the counting of Shevet Levi at the age of one month is a guideline for all future generations. However, one cannot only rely on chinuch of the parents. He must toil on his own to achieve greatness in Torah and Avoidas Hashem. Therefore, there was the counting of Shevet Levi again, when they were thirty years old, to see if they had achieved the requisite level of Holiness to serve in the Mishkan. This also applies to Klal Yisrael to make a Cheshbon Hanefesh at the age of thirty, to see where they stand in spirituality, and what they achieved in Torah. The Mishna in Avos chapter 4:1 says Who is strong? One who overpowers his inclinations. As is stated (Mishlei 16:32), "Better one who is slow to anger than one with might, one who rules his spirit than the captor of a city." The Mishna Avos 5:21 states “Thirty, for strength” Therefore, a person who reaches thirty and be strong, is by defeating his Yetzer Harah. That is the prerequisite for serving in the Beis Hamikdash.
(Yehuda Z. Klitnick)
