Extended Family
“However do not count Shevet Levi… among Bnei Yisrael.” (Bamidbar 1:49)
Two pesukim before this one it says: “And the Leviim in accordance with their father’s shevet were not counted among them (Bamidbar 1:47).” Why does the Torah repeat this point?
Rashi explains that Hashem knew that in the future there will be a decree on all those counted from age 20 and up to die in the wilderness. The Midrash in Bamidbar Rabbah explains that if Shevet Levi had been counted together with the rest of Bnei Yisrael they would have been included in this punishment.
We see how Hashem runs the world. Once a decree is imposed upon a group it applies to everyone in that group even if specific individuals don’t deserve that punishment on their own. As is written: “The righteousness of the tzaddik will not save him on the day of anger.” (Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz Sichos Mussar)
A new family moved into our building recently. They came from out of town — way out of town! (I too live outside of Yerushalayim but I didn’t realize how far out you can get!) They’re from a small community down south where acres of farmland lie between the houses and there are almost no neighbors to be found. The one school for her children boasted 12 students.
I welcomed her to our building and invited her to feel free to visit or borrow anything she needs.
“Thank you ” she said visibly moved. “This feels like a dream. I used to drive a half hour to bring my daughter to a playdate. And here? I can’t believe how many neighbors there are! It’s like living with family!”
Her enthusiasm moved me. It’s unfortunate that I had to take a vicarious visit to the south to realize how lucky I am to be living in a community as close-knit as ours. A real family.
Likewise we find this concept also applies for the good. In II Melachim (4:13) Elisha asks the woman from Shunam if he can offer to mention her to “the King” in exchange for her hachnassas orchim toward him. It was Rosh Hashanah and the woman answered: “I sit among my people.” She didn’t want to be mentioned or judged separately. As long as she was included with her community she was judged with them and therefore merited a favorable verdict with them as well.
A community is an entity unto itself not just the sum of individuals. Therefore the community merits more than what an individual may merit on his own. (ibid.)
Suddenly I understand that all the people passing me on the street are not just a group of people who moved here to be take advantage of lower housing prices. We’re all relatives. And that warms me.
My elderly neighbor who is often rude is now viewed as a rather eccentric older aunt. And the young family whose child screams every night after midnight is my poor sister and her colicky baby my nephew!
How lucky I am to be a part of all of them! What a tremendous loss it is for those who look askance at others who don’t speak or dress exactly like themselves. By distancing themselves they’re separating themselves from the community’s merits. And being alone can be very dangerous.
The pasuk in Bereishis (32:25) says “And Yaakov was left alone and a man struggled with him.” It’s clear that Yaakov’s solitude caused the angel of Eisav to attack him. While gedolim use seclusion to achieve perfection one must be aware of the dangers of solitude. The yetzer hara preys on those who remove themselves from the community. (ibid.)
Who can manage alone? Who has so many zechuyos that he can risk losing out on the zechuyos of the community? And why? Because his neighbors don’t daven the same nusach?
Not me.
I want to be a part of every person in the community. It doesn’t matter if they moved here from Oshkosh a month ago if they wear multicolored tichels or stylish sheitels if they watch every penny or go on lavish vacations. I’ve never met a Jew who doesn’t have merits to offer and I can use all of them.
As I stand on the threshold of Shavuos I’m grateful for the chance to accept the Torah with the unity we achieved at Har Sinai — “one nation with one heart.”