אלה קריאי העדה (במדבר א:טז)

Rashi explains: These were the princes of the twelve tribes. They are referred to as “called” because the princes were invited to all important meetings.

The Jewish community in Vilna (Vilnius, Lithuania) had an agreement with the Vilna Goan (the Genius of Vilna, aka the GRA) that whenever they were about to institute a new minhag (custom), they should invite him to that meeting to hear his opinion on the matter.

It so happened that the heads of the community had drafted a new Takana (bylaw), which would temporarily prevent the town’s charitable organization from helping people who are only in Vilna.  Their concern was that the town’s long-time residents would suffer, as there would be enough in the communal fund to cover their basic needs.  The GRA was invited to hear about this “new” Takana, which was in line with the agreement that he would be allowed to give his opinion whenever any new bylaw was about to be instituted.

When the Vilna Goan arrived at the meeting and heard the draft bill, he said, ” Why did you call me to this meeting when, according to what I just heard, you are not discussing a new Minhag?”

The community leaders were bewildered by the words of their wise Rabbe, arguing that – as far as they remember – this has never been on the books?!

The Goan replied: “The Committee of the four countries had already instituted such a Takana.” [The Committee of the Four Countries – or as its Hebrew name knew it: Va’ad Arba Arotzos – was in existence for hundreds of years during the Middle Ages and was made up of the leading Rabbis and great Torah scholars in the four countries (Poland, Lithuania, Russia, and Volhynia – an area in Eastern Europe that has now been partially absorbed by Poland, Belarus, and Ukraine respectively).  It was initially set up as a communal organization to interface between local government and the Jewish communities, to negotiate taxes and other issues – culminating into a pan-East-European umbrella organization that influenced many internal matters inside the Jewish community of the time.]

Bewildered, the Community leader responded to the Goan: “According to our understanding, such a Takana isn’t part of the Va’ad Arba Arotzos’ bylaws.”

“No,” replied the Vilna Gaon. “I am not referring to the known Va’ad Arba Arotzos.  I meant the four countries: Sedom, Amora, and Adma Tzevoyam. In those countries, they hosted guests like you want to incorporate.” Concluded the Vilna Goan, leaving the meeting participants in an uproar.

Understandably, the new “minhag” wasn’t incorporated.