In this week’s parsha, Bamidbar, the Jewsih people are counted in preparation for war and entering the Land of Israel.  The Levites are then counted and exchanged for the first born:  “I hereby take the Levites from among the Israelites in place of all the first-born, the first issue of the womb among the Israelites: the Levites shall be Mine.  For every first-born is Mine: at the time that I smote every first-born in the land of Egypt, I consecrated every first-born in Israel, man and beast, to Myself, to be Mine, the Lord’s.”

Why did the killing of the Egyptian firstborn result in the sanctification of the Jewish first born?   If they are “sanctified” how can they now be replaced by the Levites?   Is this simply a job position and the Levites or Kohanim  will in turn get replaced  if they sin?

The killing of the first born of Egypt created a special obligation on the part of the firstborn of the Jewish People.   In the face of the slaying of the firstborn of Egypt, even though they were our enemies and captors, a special consciousness and obligation devolved upon us. Similar perhaps to Samuel, who’s mother’s prayers were answered and  in return for the exceptional gift of living, had to be sanctified to the Temple, or to Sampson who had to be a nazir.   When special life is granted, obligation is born.   When the first born of Egypt are killed and ours are spared, the message looms: “There but for the grace of God go we”.  Out of this existential consciousness a duty above and beyond is born.

I was once in a car that had an accident and a friend of mine who was in the seat next to me was killed.   I was left with a strong sense of guilt.  Why him and not me?  A rabbi who I expressed this to replied, “We the living all feel guilty.”

The first born failed to live up to their obligation by worshiping the Golden Calf. Their status change is not a punishment, but a natural consequence.   The status of the Leavites who take their place is not one born of duty like the first born, but conferred, thus their status, as the Talmud makes clear, can never change.

This week there is a great deal of violence in Israel.  Innocent people on both sides have died.   The message of the sanctification of the first born is one we must take to heart, to feel the sense of moral and spiritual duty.  For, as with the firstborn of Egypt, we the living who are spared must bear the yolk of obligation upon our shoulders.