In this week’s parashah, the shevatim are counted, and we find the count of Shevet Levi (see 26:57-62) to be much less than the other shevatim. The Rishonim asks, “Why should they be a smaller tribe than the others”? (The next smallest shevet is Shimon, numbering 22,200. Levi had 23,000, but even so, Shimon was a larger tribe than Levi because Shimon was counted from the age of twenty, while Levi was counted from one month old.)
The Meshech Chachmah answers that the immense growth of the other shevatim was miraculous. Shevet Levi, however, multiplied according to the rules of nature, which is why they were a smaller tribe. The Meshech Chachmah writes that this was for their benefit. He explains, "In my opinion, it could be that Hashem designed this since Shevet Levi won't own their property in Eretz Yisrael. Instead, they will live in the arei miklat, spread out throughout Eretz Yisrael. If Shevet Levi grew to be a large tribe, they would complain, 'Why don't we have a portion of land?' And it would also be a burden on Bnei Yisrael to support such a large tribe. Therefore, Hashem in His wisdom made sure that they don’t become miraculously large (like the other shevatim); rather, they increased according to the rules of nature and became twenty-three thousand, counting from a month and up."
The Meshech Chachmah says that this lesson is alluded to in the following words (26:62): אלף ועשרים שלשה הפקודים ויהיו, "And those counted of [Levi] were twenty-three thousand." They were the smallest tribe, even smaller than Shimon's, because זכר כל ומעלה חדש מבן, they were counted from a month, unlike Shimon, who was counted from twenty years old. So, their 23 thousand was a smaller tribe than Shimon's 22 thousand. The reason they were a small tribe is because ישראל בני בתוך נחלה להם ניתן לא כי, "no inheritance was given to them among Bnei Yisrael." They weren't granted a portion of land but will live in arei miklat. If they multiplied and become a large Shevet like the others, they would be distressed that they don't have their own land. It would also be a great burden for Bnei Yisrael to support them. It was for everyone's benefit that they did not increase miraculously, like the other shevatim.
Let us learn a great lesson from this. Sometimes, people think that they lack something and wonder why they can't have what others have, but each person always receives the portion that is best for him. Everything that happens is always for our good.
When counting and naming the family of Reuven, the pasuk writes (26:8) אליאב פלוא ובני, "And the sons of Palu were Eliav." פלוא means concealed (see Devarim 17:8). Which hints at the times that Hashem's kindness is concealed and darkness covers the earth. When we don't understand how the matters that are happening to us are for our good, then we must believe that אב-אלי, it is from my G-d, from my compassionate Father. Even if we don't see how it is good right now, everything will turn around very soon, and we will see how it was all Hashem's compassion.
These topics are appropriate for this time of year when we mourn the churban Beis HaMikdash. The mourning is intense, but at the same time, we know that everything that occurred is our good. The Midrash (Eichah Rabba 4:14) states the churban was a great favor for Bnei Yisrael. Hashem poured out His wrath on wood and stones and not on His nation, chalilah.
Rebbe Yitzchak of Neshchiz zt'l (Toldos Yitzchak) writes, "During the days of Bein HaMetzarim, each year, a clear manifestation of Hashem's chesed is revealed. For it is known that it was all for the benefit of Bnei Yisrael. Hashem poured out His anger on wood and stones and didn't destroy Bnei Yisrael. This occurred because Hashem's love for Bnei Yisrael was aroused from a very high place in the upper world. This occurs every year during this time. When these days arrive, Hashem's immense love for us is awakened, and Hashem's kindness and compassion come to us and all Yisrael."
The Arizal teaches that each month of the year represents a part of the face, and the months Tamuz and Av are represented by the two eyes. Imrei Noam (Masai ויצא ה"ד) says that this tells us that Hashem is watching us and caring for us, even during these challenging times. "We shouldn't think that Hashem abandoned His hashgachah pratis, His compassion, and His caring eye during these days. The root of [the churban] was a lot of compassion, only it is concealed and isn't revealed to all."
It is this emunah that we must hold onto and remember through everything that happens to us. Sometimes our situation appears full of midas hadin, but it is always for our good. The churban was for our good, פלוא, those concealed matters אליאב בני, are from our compassionate Father, and as we discussed, we saw from Levi's small family that it was for their benefit.
So, he called a parent of one of his students and asked whether he could host their event in his home. The father was a baal chesed and agreed to host the party in his home. He even generously offered to foot the bill for the entire meal. They arrived at his home with all the food and prepared a beautiful meal there. There was a lot of joy, ahavas chaveirim, and the fulfillment of the mitzvah bikur cholim. It was an exceptional, uplifting experience for all attendees.
During the meal, the host asked what was the reason for this party, and they told him about the bachur who will soon need to undergo a complicated surgery, and the danger he fell into. He replied, "Someone in this building went through the same thing!" He called this neighbor to come over. The neighbor came and was able to give concrete advice and told them what to expect, as he had already gone through the process. This was a great relief for the patient and his family because it was a very rare situation, and there was almost no one to speak to about it. Now, they could discuss the condition with someone who went through it, and he could guide and encourage them throughout the process.
At that moment, everyone understood the great hashgachah pratis that occurred. It was from heaven that they shouldn’t find a proper hall. They had to make the meal in this building so the patient and his family could meet up with this individual who gave them much support and guidance.
Let us always remember that everything is for the good. Sometimes, things seem difficult, but it is all for the good. The hospital didn't allow them to make the meal, they didn't find a hall, the principals didn't answer the phone, but it was for the good. The party took place exactly where it was best for the patient.
