In the Torah, we see that the creation is renewed solely on account of the Torah “chiddushim” introduced by Yisrael. This goes hand in hand with the stipulation that HKB”H imposed on creation: “If Yisrael accept the Torah, you will endure,” but if they do not, I will return you to a state of total void and chaos.
Now, we can return to the elucidation in the Gemara presented above: What is the meaning of that which is written: “From heaven You have proclaimed judgment; the earth became afraid and grew calm”? If it became afraid, why did it grow calm? And if it grew calm, why did it become afraid? Rather, the passuk means that initially (before Yisrael accepted the Torah by proclaiming na’aseh v’nishma), the earth became afraid (fearing that Yisrael would not accept the Torah), and in the end, it grew calm. Now, we asked why did only the earth become afraid and not the heavens. We now have an answer. The main fear existed down on earth where Yisrael exist. After all, only Jews alive on earth who engage in Torah-study possess the ability to renew the creation.
It is with great pleasure that we can apply what we have learned to interpret the following passuk (Bereishis 2, 4): "אלה תולדות השמים והארץ בהבראם ביום עשות ה' אלקים ארץ ושמים"—this is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created, on the day when Hashem G-d made earth and heaven. They expounded in the Midrash (B.R. 12, 9): "בהבראם, באברהם, בזכותו של אברהם"—the word בהברא"ם employed in the passuk is an anagram for באברה"ם, suggesting that the world was created in the merit of Avraham. In keeping with this discussion, let us explain. Avraham Avinu was the first person to receive the Torah anew every day. This was deduced from the passuk: "ואברהם זקן בא בימים"—Avraham approached every, single day with a new attitude. Thus, HKB”H renews creation every day, continually, in the merit of Yisrael who follow the example of Avraham; they inherited from him the ability to accept the Torah anew every day. Therefore, at the end of the passuk under discussion, the earth is mentioned ahead of the heavens: "ביום עשות ה' אלקים ארץ ושמים". For, it is only on account of the Torah that Yisrael study on earth that the creation is renewed daily.
We can now rejoice! We can now appreciate the profound implications of the remarks of Avraham’s loyal servant Eliezer. He informed Lavan and Betuel: “I arrived at the well today; I embarked today, and I arrived today.” As we learned from the Zera Kodesh, he was implying that Eliezer adopted the attitude of Avraham Avinu. He approached each day with a new vigor and fresh perspective, as if he had received the Torah anew that day. Additionally, he specifies that HKB”H arranged for him to come to “a well.” He was not referring to a simple well that merely holds water; he was referring to an artesian well or fountain that is a constant source of fresh water. Thus, he was alluding to the attitude of each day being a new day in the service of Hashem. This remark prompted Rashi to cite the Midrash: It is evident from here that the earth contracted for him. As we learned, at the time of Matan Torah, the earth was fearful. It was concerned that perhaps Yisrael would not accept the Torah; it understood that the “chiddushim” introduced by Yisrael daily on earth are necessary for the daily renewal of creation. Therefore, it contracted for Eliezer, so that he would learn from it to appreciate the importance of accepting the Torah anew each and every day.
