Double Transfer

 In what I believe is a Torah first - and, as always, I could be wrong - we read about a double transfer as part of the consecration of the Levi'im.

Specifically, when the Levites are "purified" and bring their sacrifices, first the Children of Israel are brought around to not only watch but also to "lean their hands" upon the korban, at which point the Levites again lean their hands upon it before being offered.

The double transfer is a bit odd.  If memory serves me correctly, my understanding was that the rule was "one korban, one transfer."  The korban could only be brought on behalf of one - one person, one community, one group.  Not two.  And, therefore, the double transfer seems improbable.

Upon a very brief meditation, the first thing that needs to be said is that, under these holy rites, we don't set the rules or the logic - G-d does.  And if a double transfer - from both ordinary Israelites and the about-to-be consecrated Levites is commanded, then surely it must be done.

But digging deeper, why is there a special dual transfer here?  Again, we see that, almost along the same lines as the Nazirim discussed in Naso, the "sin" offering is not really for a "sin."  If that was truly the case, what "sins" have the Levites committed, especially considering that they were, according to the Midrash and most other commentaries, given their position because they did not sin with the chet ha'egel.

Continuing along with my personal theory - that "sin" offerings are radically misunderstood and really should be thought of as a concrete and objective way of marking a direct encounter with the divine - there is about to be a massive transfer of real "power" from G-d directly to the Levi'im.  Think about the all-encompassing control they are about to have - from being able to declare tza'raat in people, clothing, and houses (which, as we discussed at length earlier, could easily result in whole houses being destroyed without a second thought), to the tithes of all income and produce, to the general presence of this people in and amongst the rest of the tribe.  They are the bearers of the holy, the literal keepers of the flame - a divine transfer so powerful that, yes, average people and the Levites should both recognize as such with their own "laying of the hands."  

What a unique and special presence it must have been - to have this holy class living right next to you, available anytime, and working with such divine Presence on and with our behalf.