Shoftim 18:05 · unit 2

TT #161 · Parashas Shoftim · Third Aliyah · Passuk 18:05

The Complete Passuk

כִּ֣י ב֗וֹ בָּחַ֛ר יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ מִכׇּל־שְׁבָטֶ֑יךָ לַעֲמֹ֨ד לְשָׁרֵ֧ת בְּשֵׁם־יְהֹוָ֛ה ה֥וּא וּבָנָ֖יו כׇּל־הַיָּמִֽים׃

For the Eternal your God has chosen him from all your tribes to stand and serve in the name of the Eternal, he and his sons, all the days.

Torah Temimah points to Sifrei Devarim 167.

TT lemma: לַעֲמֹד לְשָׁרֵת.

Core Text

לַעֲמֹד לְשָׁרֵת בְּשֵׁם ה׳ – זוֹ הָעֲבוֹדָה.

English: ‘To stand and serve in the name of the Eternal’ – this is the Temple service.

On the daf / in context: The purpose of the choice is the perpetual service of Hashem.

Derash identifying the service (Sifrei) — the standing and serving refer to the avodah of the Mikdash.

The kohen is chosen to stand and perform the service of Hashem; this is the rationale for his unique status and support.