Separation of Power? Bechaalotecha

Institution powers “will find a way. ” Dr. Ian Malcolm’s “life finds a way” from Jurassic Park rings true when political forces encroach upon the established powers.

Professionally, I have witnessed existentially threatened institutions both re-invent and assert themselves. The results were shockingly successful.

“Finding a way” is so powerful that even the dinosaurs found a way! Apparently, they live in my [Jurassic] backyard.

The Initial Post Prep

Translations are important when blogging on foreign language material. Choosing a quality translation is essential. With this blog, designating a primary translation source was necessary.

Richard Elliott Friedman’s Commentary on the Torah was chosen for a variety of reasons. First, his translation attempts to capture the language of antiquity. This is opposed to translations which comport with eventual religious beliefs or interpretations. Second, this type of translation lends itself to discussing the text in terms of political theory and application.

Power Finds A Way

Prior to the Israelite Monarchy, was a Levite army created? Did the Israelite cult maintain its private fighting force?

While other Bechaalotecha translations refer to the Levite’s cult service as “work,” Friedman’s translation implies that Levites performed military service.

While the Prophet Moses could conscript a multi-tribal military force, the Priestly class maintained their own permanent dedicated security force.

For the Levites, they were provided a special role which gave them job security.

Power Dynamics

Under Constitutions, a society is able to break up sources of power. Likewise, roles can be limited. In the United States, there is a separation of power. Different branches of government- executive, legislative and court systems-are assigned different powers. Legal battles are often fought over whether one governmental branch stepped one other’s powers.

With this in mind, the Torah Portion Bechaalotecha in a sense lays out a constitutional provision.

Torah portion passage at controversy is as follows:

“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying ‘This is what the Levites have: from twenty-five years old and up each shall come to do army service by the work of the Tent of the Meeting, and from fifty years old he shall go back from the army service and shall not work anymore; and shall minister his brothers in the Tent of Meeting to keep the charge, but he shall not do work. You shall do thus to the Levites regarding their charge.” Numbers 8:23-26.

On a theoretical basis, a small standing army force for the Tabernacle makes sense. The language supports it in a variety of ways. The service starting age starting at twenty-five would appear to start a family before entering service. The end date appears at a time when someone’s physical fighting capabilities would be diminished.

Outside of the passage, scripture provides indications as to why a security force would be needed. Bechaalotecha also tells of the creation of the Golden Menorah. Numbers 8:1-4. Certainly, a security presence was needed to protect other cultic relics, i.e. the Ark of the Covenant. Further, with the Ark, it was brought into battle. i.e. 1 Samuel 4-7. Certainly, Levite staffers involved with the Ark’s transportation into a war would require military combat skills.

Institutional Shift

The establishment of the Israelite Monarchy created a new institution of power. In some ways, it replaced the Prophet’s role. The power dynamics further changed with the Temple’s construction. In Kings 8:6, it was the priests that moved the Ark into the holy of holies. With a permanent structure, the Ark no longer required the Levites to perform transportation services.

In King Josiah’s, there was the discovery of the Book of the Law which allegedly was the Book of Deuteronomy. After finding it, the Monarchy instituted significant religious reforms. Was the Monarchy attempting to gain greater power? Where they trying to control of the cult?

Institutional Reaction

Much happened in the Hebrew Bible post-King Josiah. The Ark of the Covenant was lost and the First Temple was destroyed. Eventually, there was a return from exile with the rebuilding of the Temple.

At that point, a passage from Nehemiah tells of Ezra’s reading of the Torah in Jerusalem. . We are told: ^” The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there.  They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.” Nehemiah 8:7-8

After this emotional event, it is said: ^” The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.” Nehemiah 8:11.

It appears that the Levite’s roles shifted. In the absence of the Ark and various duties, they became the Torah’s guardian. Their role shifted to be that of educators. educators to the populace. Ironically, the Torah arguable the Monarchy to assert power was employed by the Levite’s to maintain an institutional role.

Conclusion

In a system involving dedicated institutions, arguably, there is life force to “power.” With the Levites, cultic security morphed into an instructional role.

For those curious, unknown to me, a flock of parrots occupy my house as their hangout. These intelligent birds are part of the life force which found a way. These birds are dinosaur descendants. Thus, I literally have a Jurassic backyard.

Be well!!

Please like, follow, comment or share