Parshas Shoftim
“There shall not be for the Priests, the Levites; all of the Tribe of Levi, a portion, an inheritance!” (Devarim 18:1)
It is a negative commandment that the entire tribe of Levi may not take a portion in the land. The exception is their designated cities with their surrounding pastures. About this it says “There shall not be for the Priests, the Levites; all of the Tribe of Levi, a portion, an inheritance!”.
Amongst the roots of this commandment are that all of the occupation of this tribe should be in the service of Hashem and they will not need to work on the ground. The other tribes must give them a portion of everything that they have without them having to exert themselves at all regarding it.
This commandment applies to the Levites, when Eretz Yisrael was inhabited.
it is likewise a negative commandment that the entire tribe of Levi may not take a portion of the spoils that Klal Yisrael captured when entering Eretz Yisrael, and in that which they will capture from their enemies afterwards, and about this it says “There shall not be for the Priests, the Levites; all of the Tribe of Levi, a portion, an inheritance!”.
Amongst the roots of this commandment are that since they are the servants of Hashem, it is not fitting for them to use articles taken by force (with spear, sword etc.) from others during a war. Only something which has come through peace, honesty and faith may enter the house of Hashem, and not something which a man or woman is upset about.
This commandment applies when the temple was standing to the tribe of Levi. One who takes a portion of the spoil has transgressed this prohibition.
