Our parsha contains a census of Bnei Yisrael. The Chafetz Chaim focuses on a contrast between the total population count of two tribes—Binyamin and Dan. The tribe of Binyamin totalled 45,600, while the tribe of Dan totalled 64,400. Dan’s population thus exceeded Binyamin’s by almost 19,000.
While this number differential is significant, the Chafetz Chaim reveals an insight which may amplify its significance to a far greater extent. He observes that Binyamin had 10 sons, while Dan only had one son—Chushim. Hence, one would think that the number of descendants from Binyamin’s 10 sons should naturally greatly exceed the descendants that would emerge from Dan’s single son. Yet, not only did they not exceed them, they were even notably fewer! To put things at an even seemingly greater disadvantage, Chushim also had a handicap—he was deaf. Yet, ultimately from him came forth a population that exceeded Binyamin’s by almost 19,000!
The Chafetz Chaim notes that this can teach us that the person whom Hashem wishes to have success will be successful, even more than others who may appear to have a lot more going for them (see Chafetz Chaim Al HaTorah, Balak).
A person may find that others seem to have more advantages and abilities than he, and thus his chances of succeeding will be less than them. However, we can perhaps learn from the Chafetz Chaim that even if a person has less, and even if the less that he has is impaired in some way, nevertheless, if it’s Hashem’s Will, he may end up becoming far more successful than others.
Not only can the one at a disadvantage end up succeeding more than the one with an advantage, sometimes it’s even specifically the disadvantage itself that may lead one to accomplish great feats. Chushim is famous for an act he took against Eisav. When the sons of Yaakov were on the way to bury Yaakov in the Me’arat HaMachpela, Eisav came and put up a fight, claiming that the space belonged to him. The sons retorted that he had already sold his right to the plot to Yaakov (by the selling of the bechora). Eisav then demanded to see the letter of sale as proof, to which they responded that the letter is back in Egypt, and they sent Naftali to go get it.
Now, Chushim was also at the scene, but since he was hard of hearing, he wasn’t aware of what was causing the delay and inquired as to why Yaakov wasn’t being buried yet. They explained to him that Eisav was preventing them from proceeding with the burial until Naftali came back with the proof. Chushim responded, “And until Naftali comes back from the land of Egypt, my grandfather will be lying here in disgrace?!” Chushim then took hold of a staff and hit Eisav on his head, killing him (See Gemara Sotah 13).
We may see from here Chushim’s zeal to uphold the honor of the great Yaakov Avinu. None of the sons of Yaakov took this loyal action, despite the fact that their holy father was lying in disgrace. Theoretically, if Chushim was not handicapped with being hard of hearing, it can be assumed that, much like the sons of Yaakov, he too would have gotten swept into the confrontation with Eisav and wouldn’t necessarily have taken on the heroic act of killing Eisav and sparing Yaakov’s disgrace. Thus, it seems, perhaps, that specifically the fact that Chushim was deaf, and thereby didn’t have the chance to get swept into the whole argument and confrontation with Eisav, led him to accomplish this great feat. Indeed, a person’s “disadvantage” may actually prove to be an advantage.
Rav Avraham Yaffen told the following story: There was once a very unintelligent person. Everyone pitied him, wondering what would become of him, how he would make it in life. One day, this person decided to purchase a lottery ticket, and he filled it in. Lo and behold, he had correctly guessed the three numbers on the ticket—he won! There was a huge uproar and celebration when people heard that he won a massive fortune.
When everyone congratulated him on his good luck, he responded, “It wasn’t luck. I received a message from up high!” He explained: “You see, it never occurred to me to enter the lottery. Then I had a dream. In my dream, I saw the numbers 17, 18 and 370, and I understood that I was being shown the lucky numbers.” The people didn’t understand this, and they questioned him, “But there was room for only three single-digit numbers on the lottery ticket!” He broke out in a triumphant smile and exclaimed, “That’s exactly it! You need smarts to be able to figure out the dream. Clearly, I was meant to add the numbers together, the sum of which totaled to 415—and that was the winning number.” One puzzled listener questioned him, “But the sum of those numbers is only 405!” To which he responded, “Really? Then it’s a good thing I don’t know how to add!” (seen in Vehigadta, Chukat).
Indeed, what may seem to us as a disadvantage and limitation may, in fact, be an advantage as it may be the very cause for bringing us to success and to the places that Hashem wants us to be.
Binyamin is a graduate of Yeshivas Rabbeinu Yitzchak Elchanan, and Wurzweiler School of Social Work.
