The Torah commands in Parashat Re’eh (Debarim 12:19), “Be careful not to abandon the Levi, all your days on your land.” The expression “Hishamer Lecha” denotes a Misvat Lo Ta’aseh (Biblical prohibition), and thus this verse establishes a prohibition against neglecting to properly care for the Levi. Specifically, as the Sefer Ha’hinuch explains, this means that one may not delay giving the Leviyim the tithes to which they are entitled, or refrain from supporting them on the Regalim (pilgrimage festivals) so they can celebrate the holiday festively. The Leviyim were not given a share in the land, and so they were unable to support themselves. They relied on the support of the rest of the nation, and the Torah here forbids neglecting the Leviyim and failing to give them what they need. The Sefer Ha’hinuch explains that G-d wants the Jewish People to be an “Am Hacham Ve’nabon” – a learned and wise nation, and a blessed nation, worthy of His special blessings. He wants the entire world to recognize Am Yisrael as a special people, a nation that is distinguished through its knowledge, wisdom and refined conduct, so it can set an example for the rest of the world to follow. To that end, the Sefer Ha’hinuch writes, G-d designated one tribe that would devote itself to Torah scholarship, spending their days and night immersed in Torah learning. This tribe would serve as the scholars and guides for the rest of the nation, and, by extension, for the rest of the world. As the verse says in reference to the tribe of Levi, “Yoru Mishpatecha Le’Yaakob, Ve’Toratecha Le’Yisrael” – “They shall teach Your laws to Yaakob, and Your Torah to Yisrael” (Debarim 33:10). They are selected to be the scholars who teach the rest of the nation. In order to spare the Leviyim the need to take out time to secure a livelihood, G-d commanded the other tribes to support them. The Torah emphasizes that we must not neglect the Leviyim “Al Admatecha” – “on your land.” The Sefer Ha’hinuch explains that people who own land might look upon the tribe of Levi condescendingly, because they do not have a portion of land. The Torah here forbids having such an attitude, because, as the Sefer Ha’hinuch explains, “Hu Ha’gebir” – to the contrary, the Levi must be seen as special and distinguished, as he devotes himself to Torah learning and is an accomplished scholar. People of means should not feel superior to learned scholars who do not have money, but should instead look at them with admiration and respect, and support them generously. And so the Torah emphasizes that we must not neglect the Leviyim “on your land” – meaning, even though we have land and they do not, we must not look down at them, and should instead care for all their needs. Secondly, the Sefer Ha’hinuch explains, the Torah emphasizes “on your land” because people who own land generally can afford high quality meat and other products. The Torah here requires those who enjoy financial comforts to share their blessings with the Leviyim, the tribe that is set apart so it could devote itself to studying and teaching. This command applies when Beneh Yisrael live in their land. One who fails to give a Levi that which he owes him, or who does not assist a Levi in need during a holiday, is in violation of this command. He is not liable to Malkut, because this prohibition is transgressed through inaction. At the conclusion of his discussion of this Misva, the Sefer Ha’hinuch elaborates on the practical relevance of this Misva nowadays. Although technically this Misva does not apply, as the tribe of Levi is no longer designated for learning and teaching, the message of this Misva is that we must support those who choose to devote themselves to Torah scholarship. The Torah scholars are the ones who sustain our religion and ensure its successful transmission to the next generation, and it is therefore our responsibility to support them, and allow them to immerse themselves in their studies and to teach, without having to