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In Parashat BeMidbar, Bnei Yisrael and the Levi’im are counted. While the Torah is talking about Aharon’s sons, it refers to them as “Toledot Aharon U’Moshe” (BeMidbar 3:1). Why does the Torah refer to Aharon’s children as being the sons of Moshe Rabbeinu as well? What gave Moshe this honor if he wasn’t their father?
Rashi famously explains, quoting the Gemara in Sanhedrin, that the Torah refers to Moshe as their father because he taught them Torah. The Zechut of teaching someone Torah is so powerful that you are Ke’ilu (as if) their father. A powerful lesson can be learned from here; true closeness and companionship are developed through Torah, not through trivial matters. What bonded Moshe Rabbeinu with Aharon’s sons was their Torah learning, and it was such a close relationship, it was like a father and a son.
This is similar to the way Yehudah describes Binyamin and Yaakov’s relationship in Parashat VaYigash. When Yosef wants to take Binyamin for “stealing” his goblet, Yehudah volunteers himself to be taken, as his father can’t survive Binyamin being taken, due to their incredibly close relationship. The language Yehuda uses to describe their bond is “V’Nafsho Keshurah B’Nafsho” (BeReishit 44:30). The question many ask is how can Binyamin and Yaakov attain such a close relationship to the point where they cannot live without each other? The Ba’al HaTurim explains that the Gematria of “Keshurah”, connection, is 611, which is the same as Torah. He explains that Binyamin and Yaakov’s relationship was made so special through Torah, which connected their souls. Similar to Moshe and Bnei Aharon, their connection exceeds what is natural.
May we all be Zocheh to forge deep and meaningful relationships with Torah foundations.