Derasha 4 on Vezos Haberachah 33:9

Parashas Vezos Haberachah · Passuk 33:9

The Complete Passuk

הָאֹמֵר לְאָבִיו וּלְאִמּוֹ לֹא רְאִיתִיו וְאֶת אֶחָיו לֹא הִכִּיר וְאֶת בָּנָיו לֹא יָדָע...

Chabad.org — Devarim 33

Source Citation

Torah Temima points to the statement that the tribe of Levi did not worship the Golden Calf.

Sefaria — Devarim 33:9

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text
אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל, שִׁבְטוֹ שֶׁל לֵוִי לֹא עָבַד עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים

English: Rav Yehudah said in the name of Shmuel: The tribe of Levi did not worship idolatry.

Type of Learning

A historical affirmation of Levi’s loyalty at the time of the Golden Calf, linked to the verse’s description of absolute dedication.

What Chazal Learned

The verse that describes Levi as saying of father and mother “I have not seen him” is read against the background of the Golden Calf. The tribe’s readiness to enforce the divine command even against close relatives is evidence that they themselves remained free of the idolatry.

Audio: dafyomi.org · YICC (Rav Etshalom)