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The Closing Will Be With Avrohom
This week's parsha contains the pasuk [verse] "And I will make you into a
great nation. And I will bless you. And I will make your name great. And you
will be a blessing." [Bereshis 12:2].
In the Talmud [Pesachim 117b], Resh Lakish tells us that "And I will make you
into a great nation" is a reference to that which we say (in Shmoneh Esrei)
"Elokai Avrohom - the G-d of Abraham". "And I will bless you" refers to that
which we say "Elokai Yitzchak - the G-d of Isaac". "And I will make your name
great" is a reference to that which we say "Elokai Yaakov - the G-d of Jacob".
The Talmud concludes, "You might think to finish (the first blessing of
Shmoneh Esrei) with all of them (Avrohom, Yitzchak and Yaakov). Therefore, the
pasuk says 'And you will be a blessing' implying that the blessing (Magen
Avrohom) concludes with you, Avrohom, and not with them (Yitzchak and Yaakov)."
The Talmud cannot mean that Avrohom Avinu is worried about sharing the
spotlight with his son and grandson. That type of thought would be unworthy for
any of us to think; and certainly regarding our Patriarch, Avrohom.
The Bnei Yissoschar interprets this Gemara homiletically as follows: You
might think that the closing -- i.e. -- the final generation -- will be a
generation that is infused with the characteristics of each of the Patriarchs.
However, the verse clarifies that "with you will be the closing" (becha
chosmin). The last generation will have the imprint of Avrohom, and not the
imprint of Yitzchak and Yaakov.
At the time when the Talmud was written, it was inconceivable that there
would be a generation that did not have the imprint of Avrohom -- represented by
Chessed (Kindness); the imprint of Yitzchak -- represented by Avodah (Divine
Service); and the imprint of Yaakov -- represented by Torah (Jewish Learning).
But they did not witness our generation. Unfortunately, in our generation,
only a small portion of the Jewish nation is involved in Torah, Avodah and
Gemilus Chassadim.
The Jewish people as a whole today are sorely lacking Torah. There are some
people who have never heard of the Talmud. There are some people who do not know
what an Aleph looks like. This is a generation devoid of Torah and devoid of
Service -- not only the Service of Sacrifices, but even the Service of Prayers.
All too many Jews do no even know the meaning of Service of G-d through prayer.
However, our Sages tell us, "with you will be the conclusion". Even in the
last generation, after all the bitter Exile, there will still be one thing that
the Jewish people hold on to: the attribute of Chessed. As much as the Exile has
affected us and stripped us of what it means to be a Jew, there is one area
where it has not been successful. We are still doers of kindness (gomlei
chassodim). We still give charity way beyond our means.
The charity and Chessed done by the children of Avrohom are completely
disproportionate to that of the world around us. The IRS cannot believe Jewish
tax returns, because "no one gives that much charity." As much as we complain
that the Federations sometimes do not have their priorities straight, they still
raise millions of dollars for charity. Why? Because "with you they will close"
-- the end of the generations will still have the imprint of Avrohom. Chessed
will never be taken away from the Jewish people.
Recently Rabbi Nosson Scherman made a very true observation. This summer
(1989) Colonel Higgins, a Marine in Lebanon, was tragically killed. There was a
group in Texas that started a nation-wide scholarship fund for Colonel Higgin's
daughter. "The man gave his life for his country, let us do something for his
daughter." Unfortunately, after four weeks, the scholarship fund had only raised
$3,000.
My friends, we could raise $3,000 here before Ma'ariv [Evening Prayers],
without batting an eyelash. Because "In you they will close" -- the last of the
generations will still possess the attribute of Chessed that we learned from
Avrohom.
I saw in the Shemen HaTov that this is the interpretation of the blessing
"Magen Avrohom" (Shield of Abraham). G-d protects Avrohom and promises him that
He will protect Avrohom's attribute of Chessed for all future Jewish
generations.
We may not look like Jews anymore. We may not think like Jews anymore. We may
not talk like Jews anymore. But Magen Avrohom -- G-d will protect Avrohom's
attribute -- we will still give charity like Jews; we will still do acts of
kindness like Jews.
Don't Forget Why We Are In This In The First Place
Lot was captured. Avrohom gathered an army of 318 men to rescue him. The
Talmud [Nedarim 32a] analyzes the Torah's expression "VaYarek es Chanichav" (and
he "armed" those who he had taught Torah) [Bereshis 14:14]. Rav interprets
"armed" to mean that before the battle Avrohom infused (showered) them with
Torah. Shmuel interprets "armed" to mean that Avrohom showered them with money.
Rav's interpretation is easy to understand. Prior to going to battle, Avrohom
strengthened their commitment to G-d and Torah. However, how do we understand
Shmuel's interpretation? Why did Avrohom shower them with money?
Tosfos in Chullin [47b] explains Avrohom's reasoning. Avrohom showered them
with money -- lest they become involved in the battle and start looking for
booty and forget to rescue the souls. Avrohom wanted to tell them, "Don't worry
about the booty -- I will give you money beforehand, so you need not preoccupy
yourself with monetary pursuits."
Who are we dealing with over here? According to one opinion the 318 men were
actually one person: Eliezer. According to another opinion they were 318
individuals. But, they must have been 318 righteous people because Avrohom was
gathering them to go to battle against the Allied Forces -- the Kings who were
just victorious in the "world war" between the four kings and five kings. Who
would put their lives on the line -- 318 men against this allied force?
Obviously it could only be Tzadikim, only people solely motivated by saving
lives.
So, if they were motivated by saving lives, why does Avrohom Avinu have to
worry about giving them money so that they won't become involved in collecting
booty and forget about rescuing souls?
I saw a very true insight on this from Rav Henoch Leibowitz. Rav Henoch
Leibowitz explains that often times when people get involved in something, they
forget what they are in it for. One can start an endeavor motivated by a noble
cause, but become so preoccupied in the means of it, that one forgets what he is
doing there in the first place.
It would be quite a common phenomenon that they could start the war
ultimately to rescue souls and save lives. But, once they become involved in war
and start killing and shooting and going through all that war entails, they
might forget the whole purpose (tachlis) of their involvement.
This happens to us so often. We get so involved in the means that the
ultimate purpose is forgotten.
We unfortunately see a classic example of this all too often with 'chiyuvim'
[see Glossary] who daven before the amud in shul.
When a 'chiyuv' leads the prayers, he wants to make a Kiddush HaShem for the
merit of the deceased. It is a Kiddush HaShem when he says the words of Kaddish
or he says a Brocho and people answer "Amen". So the goal of davening before the
amud is Kiddush HaShem.
However, how many of us have witnessed the following type of scenario? There
are two 'chiyuvim' on the same day. The first fellow says, "I have precedence".
The second man says "No way. It is my turn to daven." Before you know it they
are almost ready to strike each other. Why? Because each one wants to make a
Kiddush HaShem. Here they are in shul yelling at each other, almost fighting.
They are making a Chillul HaShem!
What happened here? The whole purpose of leading the prayers was to have a
Kiddush HaShem. Instead, they are making a Chillul HaShem.
People become so involved in the means that they forget the goal. One can
become so involved in war that he forgets what the war is all about. The war is
about saving lives, but, instead, they are grabbing money.
That is human nature. People are so involved in getting there, that they
forget where they are going in the first place.
Our Sages tell us that many of the Children of Kehas died while serving in
the Wilderness as the transporters of the Ark. How did this happen? They had
arguments: "I want to carry the Ark" "No, you go carry the Menorah. I'll carry
the Ark!" They became so agitated in the details of who would get to carry it,
that when the time came to actually transport it, they did not have the proper
spiritual level of awe and reverence necessary to carry the Ark.
Again, what is happening here? Are they interested in Service of G-d or are
they not interested in Service of G-d? They get so involved in who should do
this and who should do that, that the whole goal is forgotten.
The purpose is supposed to be Divine Service and Sanctification of G-d's
name, not arguments over who should carry what.
This is what Avrohom Avinu understood. He knew that people can easily forget
the main goal. So he paid them the money up front, so that the booty and spoils
would not distract them.
When we engage ourselves in a noble cause, we must always remember not to
forget why we are engaged in the cause in the first place.
Glossary
Shmoneh Esrei -- Amidah, Silent Praye
chiyuv -- one (chiyuvim - plural) who has an "obligation" to serve as
the prayer leader (by virtue of the custom that a mourner or one observing the
anniversary of the death of a parent serves as the prayer leader).
daven before the amud -- lead the prayer quorum in prayers.
Kiddush (Chillul) HaShem--Sanctification (Desecration) of G-d's Name.
Sources and Personalities
Rabbi Nosson Scherman-- General Editor Art Scroll Series of
Publications
Shemen HaTov -- Rabbi Dov Weinberger - contemporary author, Rabbi in
Brooklyn, NY.
Rabbi Frand on Parshas Lech Lecha
These divrei Torah were adapted from the hashkafa portion of Rabbi
Yissocher Frand's Commuter Chavrusah Tapes on the weekly portion: Tape # 166,
The Childless Couple in Halacha. Good Shabbos!
This week's write-up is adapted from the hashkafa portion of Rabbi Yissochar Frand's Commuter Chavrusah Torah Tapes on the weekly Torah portion (#166). The corresponding halachic portion for this tape is: The Childless Couple in Halacha. The other halachic portions for Parshas Lech Lecha from the Commuter Chavrusah Series are:
Tapes or a complete catalogue can be ordered from:
Yad Yechiel
Institute
PO Box 511
Owings Mills, MD 21117-0511
Call (410)
358-0416 for further information.
Also Available: Mesorah / Artscroll has published a collection of Rabbi Frand's essays. The book is entitled:
and is available through your local Hebrew book store or from Project Genesis, 1-410-654-1799.