The Uncountable Stars

In this week's parsha (15:5) HaShem brings Avraham Avinu outside and tells him to observe the uncountable stars and tells him that his progeny will be likewise uncountable. Rashi there quotes a Midrash that states that HaShem removed Avraham from the atmosphere and placed him above the stars to observe them. R' Chaim Kanievsky questions, why was this necessary? Why was it not sufficient to simply look at the stars from where he was?

He answers that we are taught in the adjacent commentary to Rambam's Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah (3:8) that there are a finite number of stars visible from Earth, 1022 to be exact. Beyond the scope of our vision there exists an abundance of stars which are too many to be counted. Being shown the stars from Earth was simply not impressive enough. Avraham had to be removed from Earth in order to appreciate the true extent of the berachah.

Ari S.said...

The number 1,022 is also seen in Ibn Ezra's Reishis Chachma (on astrology). He cites Ptolemy just like the Rambam mentions in a few places (i.e. hilchos kiddush hachodesh) that his knowledge of astronomy comes from the Greek sources. Ptolemy (in the Almagest) does have this number. It is pretty clear that he (and the rishonim) were aware that there were many more. In fact, the way Ptolemy and Ibn Ezra cite it is to show how the constellations are formed. It seems that this number refers to the bigger and brighter stars.

The average person can see approximately 3 - 4,000 stars (the faintest being about magnitude 6). Perhaps, another idea expressed in the pasuk could be that it is impossible to count them at once. Some are below the horizon at times and others seasonal. Some are only seen at northern latitudes and others at southern. Maybe Avraham had to go high above in order to get an angle above them to see them at one time.

Jewish people have been dispersed throughout many countries during our exile. This is often to our benefit because it provides a defense mechanism. It is much more difficult for an enemy to ever annihilate us because of this. Maybe we are being taught that you will never be able to see all the Jews in one spot to count because they will be dispersed. In the ensuing pesukim of the covenant, there are many references to the exile.

Like the Stars

In this week's parsha we read about Hashem's promise to Avraham Avinu that his children will be like the stars. (Bereishis 15:5) There are many beautiful explanations that uncover some of the depth of this fantastic blessing. One of these can be found in the writings of Rav Yehonasan Eibshitz zt"l.

Rav Eibshitz mentions that the comparison to stars includes the aspect of individuality that one can see amongst the stars. The nightly stellar display is something both gorgeous and awesome. Part of the beauty is due to the fact that each brilliant star stands alone. Each star, just like each member of Klal Yisrael, has a radiance that shines forth and allows it to stand alone and shine. While each one may not appear to touch the others, still it is the display in its enitrety that creates the breathtaking sight. Each individual of Klal Yisrael follows in his path just as each star follows its prescribed path, but it is when one sees all of Klal Yisrael working together that the true beauty can be seen.