As the Parsha reading began yesterday, the following question rang thru my mind about this war: Were the “full time learners”, or in this case the tribe of Levi (whom many who learn full time model themselves after) drafted for this war?
According to Rashi who brings down the Sifre the answer is yes.
However, this specific war may have been unique???
Perhaps they were exempted from other wars.
As a practical matter, we do need to have some modern day “Leviim” exempt from battle to keep the knowledge of our Torah Law intact.
In the USA, sitting judges are exempted from military service even during wartime for similar reasons.
The big question is how many?
Ratio in desert was about one Levi for every 40 Yisraelim (Jews from the 12 tribes). As there were about 600,000 Yisraelim from age 20 and up and about 23,000 Leviim from one month and up.