What is the first half of the Pasuk referring to?
Rashi, Seforno and Targum Onkelos: It 1 is referring to the episode of the Eigel, where, in answer to Moshe's call "Mi la'Hashem Elai!" the Levi'im killed those who worshipped the Eigel, even if they were their own kinsmen. 2
Targum Yonasan: It is referring to the tribe of Levi 3 (who, at the age of thirty - Targum Yonasan) 4 would leave their parents, their younger brothers who were not yet thirty and their children, to go and spend twenty years in the Mishkan in the service of Hashem. 5
Seforno: "ve'es Banav Lo Yada" refers to the Levi'iim's Mesiras Nefesh in circumcising their newborn babies, 6 in spite of the danger involved 7 because the north-wind did not blow. 8
Oznayim la'Torah: It is referring to the Kohanim Gedolim, who are forbidden to bury even their closest relatives - and who o through a tremendous Nisayon to observe this Halachh. 9
Refer to Sh'mos, 32:27:5:1. See Oznayim la'Torah, D.H 'ha'Omer le'Aviv' #2, who points out that the Torah does not mention the fathers and mothers of the Levi'im Ki Sissa who asks a number of other questions on this explanations.
Ramban: The Ibn Ezra cites Shmuel - who left his parents at the age of two to go and serve in Mishkan Shiloh - in place of the tribe of Levi - See R. Chavel's notes at the end of Pasuk 8. See also Na'ar Yonasan.
See Peirush Yonasan.
And when they returned, they did not recognize their closest relatives (Moshav Zekenim).
Yevamos 71a-b: [Others] did not circumcise because the north-wind not blow, or in case they would travel within three days (thereby endangering their newly-circumcised babies. Refer to Sh'mos 4:24:2:1*). How could Levi endanger their sons.seeing as Piku'ach Nefesh overrides all Mitzvos except for the three cardinal sins? Malbim (Yehoshua 5:4) - The Levi'im and Tzadikim fulfilled B'ris Milah in the desert,because since many people are not concerned about the north wind, we apply the principle "Shomer Pesa'im Hashem"(One need not be concerned for the danger - Tehilim 116:6). If B'nei Yisrael traveled, the family would remain outside the cloud, until the baby healed. (There were snakes and scorpions in the Midbar (8:15)! The cloud killed them, and it was unlikely that new ones would come in a few days until the baby healed. They would take water and regular food, or each day the father would approach Machaneh Yisrael to collect water and manna, and return. What would he do if Yisrael had Kefitzas ha'Derech (traveled miraculously fast - refer to 1:2:1:1)? Perhaps also the father would have Kefitzas ha'Derech, or he would ride on a fast animal. One could easily tell to where Yisrael went, for the cloud paved the path - PF).
See Yevamos, 72a.
See Oznayoim la'Torah, DH 'fa'Omer le'Aviv u'le'Imo' #3, who elaborates.
Which commandment did the B'nei Levi observe?
Rashi: The commandment of "Lo Yih'yeh l'cha Elohim Acherim".
Sefono: The Mitzvah of B'ris Milah.
In view of the current Pasuk - implying that the Levi'im killed their own fathers and mothers, brothers and children. who worshipped the Golden Calf and who were Levi'im, how can the Torah state that the B'nei Levi did not worship Avodah Zarah?
Yoma, 66b: The Torah is referring (not literally to their fathers and mothers ... , but) to their maternal grandparents 1 and to their maternal brothers and grandchildren from their daughters, who were all not Levi'im
See Torah Temimah, note 32, who elaborates.
Which "Bris" did the Levi'im keep?
Rashi: 'Whereas the other tribes did not keep the Mitzvah of B'ris Milah in the desert, the tribe of Levi did'. Refer to 33:9:1:3*.
Seforno: They adhered to the covenant of not worshipping Avodah Zarah - both in Egypt and in the desert.
