QUESTION: Is there an obligation to honor a Levi?

ANSWER: The Yerushalmi (Berachos 5:4) records that Rebbi Yehushua Ben Levi (who was a Levi) said that in all his days, he never said a beracha before a Kohen, and he never permitted a Yisroel to say a beracha before him. The Tur (OC 201) writes that it would seem from this Yerushalmi that there is a mitzvah to honor a Levi; therefore, for example, if there is no Kohen, the Levi should be offered priority for Bentching. However, the Tur writes that the Maharam MiRottenburg (his father’s Rebbi) said that there is no obligation to put a Levi first. Rebbi Yehoshua Ben Levi always went first when there was no Kohen because he was the greatest Torah scholar, not because he was a Levi. On the other hand, the Bach writes that the first opinion of the Tur seems more compelling.

The Magen Avrohom (201:4) cites another Yerushalmi that says that we only give extra honor to the Levi’im when the Beis Hamikdash is standing (and the Levi’im are serving in the Beis Hamikdash). The Magen Avrohom points out that there is a seeming inconsistency: The Tur and Shulchan Aruch in Hilchos Tzedakah (YD 251) rule that even today a Levi receives tzedakah before a Yisroel (in a situation where everyone has the same needs) because of the extra honor due to a Levi, yet in other areas we do not honor the Levi first. The Drisha (YD 251:3) explains that tzedakah is different. We are obligated to support the Levi so he can survive to see the rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdash, since he will then be needed in the service of the Beis Hamikdash. However, in other areas which involve honoring him, he does not receive more honor than a Yisroel.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.