In the way of the world, when a person succeeds, everyone comes and asks him what the secret of his success is. And he, of course, “in his great wisdom,” will explain what steps he took, and that through them he succeeded and reached his achievements. Naturally, if he is a believing Jew, he will add and say that everything was, of course, with Siyaata Dishmaya (Heavenly assistance). And if, chas v’shalom, not upon us and not upon you, a person falls and loses his wealth, he will declare openly and with faith that such was the will of the Divine Providence. And of course, if he is a believing Jew, he accepts upon himself the judgment of Heaven with love.
Eliezer, the servant of Avraham, arrived at the house of Besuel and spoke about his master Avraham, and thus he described his great success (24:35): ‘וה’ ברך את אדוני מאוד ויגדל, ויתן לו כסף וזהב ועבדים ושפחות וגמלים וחמורים’ - “And Hashem has blessed my master greatly, and he became great; and He gave him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and maidservants, camels and donkeys.” Eliezer knew of several causes to which he could have attributed Avraham Avinu’s great success, such as Pharaoh and Avimelech, but he did not mention them at all—only “and Hashem has blessed my master.” For Avraham Avinu was so firm in his faith that all causes were, in his eyes, only “means” through which HaKadosh Baruch Hu chose to send him his livelihood and wealth. But the success and greatness that he had were only from the Creator Yisbarach. And so he lived and spoke, until even his servants knew and believed that such was the truth.
Avraham Avinu was the greatest of believers, but he did not keep that faith for himself alone. He taught everyone to believe in Hashem, and most importantly, he transmitted that faith to his children after him, as we read last week (18:19): ’כי ידעתיו למען אשר יצוה את בניו ואת ביתו אחריו ושמרו דרך ה’’ - “For I have known him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of Hashem.” And he teaches us that it is not wisdom merely to “blame” Hashem for our failures, but rather to know and remember that all successes are from Him Yisbarach.
And although every believing Jew always remembers that everything is from Him, outwardly it does not always appear so. Perhaps, if we wish to examine ourselves as to how great our faith truly is, we may ask: if our children were asked, “What is the secret of your father’s success?” (for in our days we have no servants like Eliezer), if the child would simply answer, “Hashem gave it to him,” that is a sign that we are on the right path.
- Tiv HaTorah – Chayei Sarah
