Because of G-d's great love for His people, He counts them all the time. He counted them when they left Egypt. He counted them after they fell in the wake of the sin of the Golden Calf, to know the number of the survivors. And He counted them when He came to manifest His presence within them. (Rashi, commenting on this verse)
Every Sunday in his later years (from the age of 86-92 yrs. old), the Rebbe - Menachem Mendel Schneerson, would stand for hours on end, greeting all comers with a smile and an encouraging word, as well as a dollar to be given to charity. An elderly lady once remarked to him in wonder, "Rebbe, how can you do this? Don't you ever get tired standing for hours on end at your age?" The Rebbe responded: "One never gets tired when counting diamonds."
Unfortunately, most of us see the mud which covers up the diamond more often than not. It takes much self refinement and character improvement to be able to see good in another beyond any bad. Since the sin of Adam & Eve, the body supersedes the soul from our human viewpoint, making it much more difficult to see the soul of another; the inner good. There's "Me, Myself, and I" and then everyone else. Our job then is to become less inward focused and more sensitive to others, for each is a diamond of immense, unique value.
When looking at a star from earth, it looks the same as all of the others. But if we were to get a closer look, we would see the special, distinct quality of that unique star. So too with every person we meet. First glances may leave much to be desired, but if we make the effort to get to know the person, peering deeper, we may find a diamond inside.
Shabbat Shalom!
-Rabbi Daniel
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