In this week’s Parsha, a census is taken of Klal Yisroel. The shevatim (tribes) are all counted. Each time a shevet is counted, the resulting number is rounded off to hundreds. For example, shevet Reuven has 46,500 people, shevet Shimon has 59,300 people, and shevet Yehudah has 74,600 people. However, there is one exception: There’s one shevet in which the resulting number is not rounded off to hundreds but is a more precise number. That shevet is none other than shevet Gad, whose resulting number is 45,650. The question is why? Why is shevet Gad the exception, with a number rounded off more precisely to tens instead of hundreds?
I would like to share with you an incredible answer that I heard from my father, Rav Yitzchok Fingerer shlita, based on the Ishbitzer: Eliyahu Hanavi comes from shevet Gad. Eliyahu Hanavi’s role in the Achars Hayamim – in the end of days will be to return all children to their fathers. To make sure that every last Jew is brought back. Since Eliyahu Hanavi cares so much about every last Jew and every precious child, Hashem says, “When it comes to your count – the count of your shevet – it’s not just going to be a statistic or rounded-off number. I’m going to make sure that every single person is counted.” Why? Because your future descendant will count every single Jew and bring them back home!
A man once saw the great tzaddik of Yerushalayim Rav Aryeh Levin zt”l talking to someone who wasn’t wearing a yarmulka. The person was secular with no connection to Judaism. Rav Levin was talking to him with much respect and honor. The man who observed this conversation later went to Rav Levin and asked, “Rabbi, why were you showing that man so much respect? He isn’t religious! He wasn’t even wearing a yarmulka!” Rav Aryeh Levin replied, “I’m very short and I couldn’t see his head, but I was able to see his heart and he has a beautiful Jewish heart, a Jewish soul, and so much potential in him. Hopefully, one day he will wear a yarmulka!” As we approach Shavuos, let’s ensure that every Jew feels connected to our Father in Heaven, and they too should have an opportunity to receive the Torah! We must recognize the value and potential in every individual, and make sure that no one is just a statistic but an essential part of our community!
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