The Torah in Parashat Naso (Bamidbar 7:9) commands that the Leviyim assigned the coveted role of transporting the Aron (ark) must carry it on their shoulders, and not by carriage or other means – “Ba’katef Yisa’u.” The Rambam, controversially, writes that this Misva is actually assigned not to the entire tribe of Levi, but rather specifically to the Kohanim. Although the Kehat family of Leviyim transported the Aron through the wilderness, the Rambam writes that this was an exceptional, temporary provision, necessitated by the fact that there were very few Kohanim at that time. In the desert, the only Kohanim were Aharon and his sons, and so the entire Kehat family participated in the transportation of the ark. Later, however, when the Aron needed to be transported, this was done specifically by the Kohanim, because, according to the Rambam, this Misva is assigned only to them. The Ramban disagrees, writing about the Rambam’s theory, “Eno Emet” – “It is not true.” Heaven forfend, the Ramban writes, that this Misva changed from an obligation upon the tribe of Levi to a Misva assigned specifically to the Kohanim. In his view, this obligation continued to rest upon the tribe of Levi as a whole, just as it was in the wilderness. The Sefer Ha’hinuch concurs with the Ramban’s opinion. It should be noted that the Ramban agrees that the Kohanim are eligible to carry the Aron, as they, too, are called “Leviyim” (as in the verse in Yehezkel (44:15), “Ve’ha’kohanim Ha’leviyim Beneh Sadok”). He disagrees only with the Rambam’s assertion that the job of transporting the ark was assigned solely to the Kohanim. Explaining the reason behind this Misva, the Sefer Ha’hinuch writes that the Torah is our nation’s source of honor, and it is what distinguishes us from other peoples. Therefore, it is appropriate that the most prominent tribe – the tribe of Levi – should be assigned the task of carrying the Aron, which contained the Torah. This Misva applies only when Am Yisrael live in their land and have an Aron. The Sefer Ha’hinuch observes the custom that was practiced among communities in his time to remove the Torah scrolls from the ark and bring them to greet the gentile king when he visited the town, as a display of honor and respect. When this is done, the Sefer Ha’hinuch writes, there is no obligation whatsoever to have specifically Leviyim carry the Torah scrolls, as this Misva pertains only to the Aron in the Bet Ha’mikdash. Nevertheless, he adds, if a congregation chooses to have Leviyim carrying the Torah scrolls in accordance with the spirit of this Misva, then this is a worthwhile practice.