Leviim
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| Around 500–600 thousand worldwide | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Israel
|
240,000 |
 United States
|
200,000 |
 France
|
16,000 |
 Canada
|
12,000 |
| Languages | |
| Vernacular: Hebrew, English Historical: Biblical Hebrew, Aramaic |
|
| Religion | |
| Judaism, Samaritanism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Jews, Samaritans | |
|
Levites are the descendants of the Tribe of Levi, one of the twelve tribes. In addition to Levites, the Kohens (priests) are also descended from Levi. Both are integrated in Jewish and Samaritan communities, but keep a distinct status. |
|
A Levite (or Levi) is a Jewish male whose descent is traced by tradition to Levi. As a surname, Levite status may be indicated by the term HaLevi, which consists of the Hebrew prefix "ה" Ha- ("the") plus Levi (Levite). The daughter of a Levite is a "Bat Levi" (Bat being Hebrew for "daughter").
In Jewish tradition, a Levite (/ˈliːvaɪt/, Hebrew: לֵוִי, Modern Levi, Tiberian Lēwî; "Attached") is a member of the Israelite Tribe of Levi, descended from Levi, the third son of Jacob and Leah.
The Tribe of Levi served particular religious duties for the Israelites and had political responsibilities as well. In return, the landed tribes were expected to give tithe to support the Levites, particularly the tithe known as the 'Maaser Rishon'. The Kohanim were the priests, who performed the work of holiness in the Temple. The Levites, who were not Kohanim, were specifically assigned to
When Joshua led the Israelites into the land of Canaan (Joshua 13:33), the Sons of Levi were the only Israelite tribe that received cities but were not allowed to be landowners "because the Lord the God of Israel Himself is their inheritance" (Deuteronomy 18:2).
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