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 Meshech Chachmah answers that the enormous 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 wouldn’t become miraculously large (like the other shevatim); rather, they increased according to the rules of nature..."
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; they resided in arei miklat. If they had 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 significant 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.
14. Someone was in America collecting money, and he had a "driver" who brought him to the homes of baalei tzedakah. At one home, the baalabayis shouted at him and insulted him for collecting money. He said many unkind words, but when he calmed down, he handed him $300. After giving this money, the wealthy man said, "I want to ask you something. When I shouted at you, you didn't respond, and you didn't even show any sign of being insulted. How did you manage that?"
The person showed the wealthy person a list that he had received from the driver. The list contained little notes, how much to expect at each address. Next to this person's address, he wrote, "He shouts and curses, and then he gives three hundred dollars." "So I wasn't upset when I heard you shouting, because I knew that after this will come three hundred dollars."
The lesson is to believe that something good will come from every trouble we go through. If we believe that after the hardships, embarrassment, and troubles pass, we will receive a check for $300, or much more than that, we will accept the troubles with joy and patience.
We are a weak generation, and we daven and request that we shouldn't be tested with tzaros. But when they come, let us remember this lesson, and know and believe that a lot of good will come from this.
