Shnayim Yomi - Bamidbar - Chamishi - #5 - Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff - Answering the Call of Hashem

The fifth aliyah of paramed says something unbelievable. There was a shift, a change. Did you know that originally the priests, the kanim were meant to be the firstborn child of every family. Every firstborn son was going to become a cohen. But then something very tragic happened. We had the sin of the golden calf. the Egal Zahav and because of this because everybody participated in that particular sin there was one tribe that didn't and that is the tribe of Levi and because of that they were given a very special mission and that was they were to take over the job the role of the firstborn children you know there's a beautiful story I must share with you on this exact topic and it's told that the kafim who was obviously a kohhen he lived in Randin in Europe before the war was visited by a great rabbi who at that point was a young man Rab Shiman Schwab. He became a rabbi in Washington Heights in Manhattan. And he looked at Ra Shumishwab and he said, "Tell me, are you a Cohen?" And Shashwab said, "No." He says, "Why not?" Says, "Cuz my father isn't a Cohen." He goes, "What about him? Why isn't he a Cohen?" Cuz his father wasn't a Cohen. At that point, Rash Mashwab realized the Kavim was making a point. And the said to him, let me tell you why you and your father and grandfather and why I am because many many years ago there was a sin the Jewish people performed the sin of the golden calf. And because of this sin there was a elimination of firstborn sons from becoming kohanim. But my ancestor listened to the voice of Mosher Rabenu when he said me lashem Eli. Whoever is for God, come to me. My ancestors listened and unfortunately your ancestors didn't. So you're not a Cohen, but I am. And then he said, there's going to be a time in every Jewish person's life when they are going to hear the words from someone me. Whoever is for God, come to me now. At that point they have the ability to become the cohen of that particular situation of that business of that mitzvah of that organization. At some point when you hear those words and you hear your voice being called out it's your chance to step forward and to become a cohen at that moment.