ויהיו כל פקודי בני ישראל לבית אבתם וגו’ (במדבר א:מה)

These were all the counting of the Yidden, according to their fathers’ households…

QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

Two Yidden once came to the Tzemach Tzedek of Viznitz zt’’l and gave their pidyon – contributions along with their kvittlach (personal requests.)  When they left, the Tzemach Tzedek told his shamesh (personal assistant) to purchase hay for the horses with the first Yid’s money, and with the second Yid’s money, he should buy fish for Shabbos.

When the Viznitzer Rebbe saw the shamash’s perplexed expression, he explained: “Both Yidden gave the same amount of money.  But the first Yid left his house with ten reinish (currency) with the thought of spending one reinish for travel expenses, another for his motel, and the rest of the eight reinish he planned on giving as a pidyon.  However, on the way, he decided to purchase some stuff for himself and deducted more reinish from the pidyon.

The second Yid left his house with less than ten reinish but scrimped on his travel expenses so that he could give to his Rebbe as much as possible.  And therefore, I want to use his money to buy fish for Shabbos!”

Filed under Parshas Bamidbar |