"If Not a Singer, then a Doorkeeper"
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ShareThere is always a way to serve HaShem.
(ח) זֶה שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר בַּתּוֹרָה בַּלְוִיִּם (במדבר ח כה) "וּמִבֶּן חֲמִשִּׁים שָׁנָה יָשׁוּב מִצְּבָא הָעֲבֹדָה" אֵינוֹ אֶלָּא בִּזְמַן שֶׁהָיוּ נוֹשְׂאִין הַמִּקְדָּשׁ מִמָּקוֹם לְמָקוֹם. וְאֵינוֹ מִצְוָה נוֹהֶגֶת לְדוֹרוֹת. אֲבָל לְדוֹרוֹת אֵין הַלֵּוִי נִפְסָל בְּשָׁנִים וְלֹא בְּמוּמִין אֶלָּא בְּקוֹל שֶׁיִּתְקַלְקֵל קוֹלוֹ מֵרֹב הַזִּקְנָה יִפָּסֵל לַעֲבוֹדָתוֹ בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ. וְיֵרָאֶה לִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ נִפְסָל אֶלָּא לוֹמַר שִׁירָה אֲבָל יִהְיֶה מִן הַשּׁוֹעֲרִים:
The Torah says (BaMidbar 8:25), "At the age of 50, he shall return from the ranks of the workers (of the Sanctuary)," applied in only the era when the Sanctuary was carried. It is not an ongoing mitzvah for future generations. For future generations, a Levite is not disqualified because of age or because of blemishes, but by a change that will spoil his voice from most of the aged, he will be disqualified for work in the Temple.
He is only disqualified from singing a song, but he could become a doorkeeper.
He is only disqualified from singing a song, but he could become a doorkeeper.
