Each Levi had a special role. Some carried the beams and structural components of the Mishkan. Some carried the various holy vessels. Still others carried the Aron, the Holy Ark. They had specific ways of packing and moving everything, and each Levi was assigned his task, down to the very item he would carry.
The Sforno adds that not only did they have to know what they were supposed to do when they were setting up camp, or what they were to carry when they traveled, but they even had to know the name of the item they handled.
In Shmos (38:21) the Sforno says that the various vessels had specific names, and they were not merely called by the type of item they were. Why was it so critical for the Levi’im to know the names of the objects?
Adam was Divinely inspired to name each animal, because a name conveys its essence. There is depth and purpose behind each item and the Levi’im, in order to treat the Mishkan with proper respect, had to understand this.
When King Shaul was upset at Dovid HaMelech, he couldn’t bring himself to call him by name and referred to him as “Ben Yishai.”
This concept reminds us how much depth and value there is to each person, each animal, and each item in the Universe. We should take the time to learn all their names, and try to uncover the secrets within.
Thought of the week:
Don’t take apart a washing machine if you can’t put it back together. The same applies to people.
– R’ Shlomo Feivel Schustal Shlit”a
