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The Torah calculates the years of Yishmael’s life, alluding to the teshuvah
Yishmael did before he died. This is also why the Torah describes his
death using the words, “when he expired,” which we know is used only
in reference to the passing of a righteous person.
The Torah lists twelve chieftains that Yishmael merited descending from
him. This was because of the one mitzvah that he kept: brit milah. If
Yishmael, who had only one mitzvah, received so much reward, how
much more so will we Jews, who observe a Torah lifestyle and do
Hashem’s mitzvot, receive our just desserts.
Once Yishmael died, it states about his children, “Over all his brothers he
dwelt.” This is a reference to the milah of the Yishmaelites. At the End
of Days, Hashem will ask to see the genealogy of those who want to be
