Word Prompt - ESTIMATION - Hillel Fuld

Estimation is defined as a rough calculation of the value, number, quantity, or extent of something.

When things are less important to us, as humans, we are satisfied with estimation. Whether we are accurate in our estimation or not is of no significance to us.

However, when one doesn’t estimate, but rather he counts, he analyzes, he gets into the weeds, that’s usually a sign that that thing is of significance.

For example, a child might count his toys or candies. An adult might count his money.

In the Torah, we see endless examples of this. Hashem counts His children multiple times, for example. And this can also explain why the Torah goes into such detail when discussing topics like the Mishkan, sacrifices, the rituals of the priests, and many more.

It’s because Hashem wants us to know that these things are significant to Him and it’s not enough to “wing it.”

Hashem, in His Torah, illustrates many times how much He loves us by not estimating.

And we do the same.

One might ask, why are Jews so careful about chametz on Passover? Why are Jews so careful with the laws of kashrut? Or Shabbat. Or countless other Torah commandments that require great attention to detail?

The answer is that by not estimating but by paying attention to even the smallest detail, we are telling Hashem that we, too value, His Torah and we will pay attention to the smallest detail to show Him how far we’ll go to get close to Him.