שופטים, פרק י״ז, פסוק ז׳

A young man's search for a home and a livelihood sets the stage for a complex story of identity, desperation, and spiritual compromise. He originates from Bethlehem in Judah, a detail specifically noted to distinguish this town from another Bethlehem located in the territory of Zebulun [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, אברבנאל]. However, his identity presents a striking contradiction. He is identified as a Levite, yet simultaneously linked to the family of Judah.

To resolve this conflict, the primary approach suggests that the connection to Judah describes the city of Bethlehem rather than the young man himself, emphasizing that the town was situated within the territory of Judah's families [מצודת דוד, רלב״ג, רד״ק, אברבנאל]. Another perspective focuses on his family tree, proposing that while his father was a Levite, his mother was from the tribe of Judah [רש״י, מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Because the tribe of Levi did not receive a portion of land in Israel, he may have inherited property through his mother's lineage [מלבי״ם] or was simply adopted and raised in that region [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Not all agree with this view, however, as some argue that biblical lineage is not traditionally traced through the mother [רד״ק].

A deeper, symbolic explanation reveals a tragic spiritual descent. According to tradition, this young man is eventually identified as Jonathan, the grandson of Moses. He is associated with Judah because his wicked actions mirrored those of King Manasseh, who belonged to that tribe. To protect the honor of Moses, a suspended letter was later inserted into the text of his father's name, subtly changing it to Manasseh to indicate that the young man behaved like the wicked king rather than the righteous grandson of God's servant [רש״י, רד״ק, אברבנאל]. It is considered a profound historical and spiritual tragedy that the descendant of such a great leader would turn to idol worship [אברבנאל].

The young man's living situation in Bethlehem was precarious. Since Bethlehem was not one of the designated cities for Levites, he lived there only as a temporary resident [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ, אברבנאל]. He stayed there to earn a living, but when his resources were exhausted, he was forced to wander again [רד״ק]. This severe financial distress ultimately drove him to compromise his values and serve as a priest for a household of idols [רלב״ג]. His tragic choice was rooted in a deeply flawed mindset, believing it was better to engage in idolatry than to depend on the charity of others [אברבנאל].