In this week’s Parsha, At the age of ninety-nine, Avraham does a heroic feat – He circumcises himself. This resulted into a Divine Revelation where Hashem appears to him. As the pasuk (18:1) says, Vayeira eilav Hashem, Hashem appeared to him. Now, there is a big question here: I heard from Rav Yitzchok Fingerer shlita that Rav Mottel of Chornobyl asks why the anonymity? Why the ambiguity? The pasuk doesn’t say who Hashem appears to!
The pasuk should say Vayeira Hashem el Avraham, that Hashem appeared to Avraham. Shouldn’t the Torah specify who Hashem appeared to? Doesn’t Avraham deserve the credit? He did something so valiant. He put himself under the knife! Doesn’t he deserve the accolades and tribute? Why say him? It seems impolite and rude. Why doesn’t the Torah say that Hashem appeared to Avraham?
Answers Rav Mottel, the pasuk says Vayeira eilav, that Hashem to him, because this can be a ‘fill-in-the-blanks.’ Him could be anybody. Him could be you! This means that if you do something like Avraham – if you extend yourself. If You go above and beyond. If you are willing to go outside of your comfort zone. Perhaps you’ll try to learn more Torah. Maybe you’ll extend yourself and give even more charity. If you go above and beyond! If you do something special, if you do something extraordinary – then Vayeira eilav – Hashem will appear to you! He will do wonders for you! You are that him! What an amazing thing!
When the Chofetz Chaim was seeking to get married, he and his friends, who were all scholars, aspired to marry into wealthy families with substantial dowries. However, the Chofetz Chaim’s stepfather had a different plan in mind. He strongly desired for the Chofetz Chaim to marry his daughter who was the Chofetz Chaim’s stepsister, they were very poor, which meant there would be no dowry involved and the Chofetz Chaim wouldn’t get anything.
To promote shalom (peace) within his family, the Chofetz Chaim agreed to the marriage, despite the lack of financial advantages. He gave up the riches and the ability to learn while living comfortably. They got married, and despite living in relatively humble circumstances and not marrying into wealth like his friends, the Chofetz Chaim remained unwavering in his devotion to his studies and lived a life committed to righteousness. As time passed, it became evident that none of the Chofetz Chaim’s friends who had married into affluent families became accomplished Torah scholars.
We all know who the Chofetz Chaim became – he became one of the greatest Torah giants in world history! Hashem, recognizing the Chofetz Chaim’s exceptional dedication, bestowed upon him further success in his Torah studies. The Chofetz Chaim didn’t want to cause friction in his home, so he went above and beyond, and Hashem appeared to him! Due to our devotion may we all merit to have closeness with Hashem! To receive this weekly email us at [email protected]. Have a good Shabbos!
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