Bnei Yisrael and The Stars
We discussed earlier the comparison of the Bnei Yisrael to the stars. HaRav Aharon Bakst offers a novel interpretation of this comparison. We know that there are an infinite number of stars in the heavens, as the verse states (Bereishis 15:5): הַבֶּט-נָא הַשָּׁמַיְמָה וּסְפֹר הַכּוֹכָבִים אִם-תּוּכַל לִסְפֹּר אֹתָם, Look up at the sky, and count the stars, if you are able to count them. Nevertheless, Hashem gives each star its own individual importance and loving care. Why, he asks, do the stars receive such a special level of love and affection, more than all the other heavenly bodies?
HaRav Bakst explains that the special affection Hashem has for the stars is a consequence of the reason for which they were created. The Gemara tells us that when the world was created, the sun and moon were of equal size. The moon then complained, saying, “How can two kings use the same crown?” Hashem concurred, and resolved the problem by diminishing the size of the moon. When the moon complained that it had in effect been punished for pointing out a problem that it had not caused, Hashem attempted to console it in various ways. In one of these attempts, Hashem created the stars, to placate the moon by adding many heavenly hosts (see Bereishis 1:16).
A creation whose very reason for coming into existence is to appease and conciliate is deserving of Hashem’s unrestrained affection. Thus, Hashem counts the stars repeatedly, to let it be known how dear they are to Him.
The lesson that we must learn is that Hashem expects of us as Jews to act as do the stars — to care and be concerned, and to try always to appease our friends, neighbors and brothers. This will cause Hashem to shower us with love in turn.
Rav Yitzchak of Volozhin writes that his father Rav Chaim of Volozhin would tell his children on a steady basis, “A person is not created to worry about himself; rather, he must always reach out and help others.” If we remember always to think about our fellow Jew first, and ourselves second, we will shine like the stars and enjoy Hashem’s abundant love.
