Let’s analyze the incredible length to which Avraham goes to guarantee that his instructions to Eliezer are precise, and must be followed in full.
Rav Druk in the Darash Mordechai (page 165) asks that it is so strange that Avraham should give Eliever such a lengthy list of instructions. We know that when he returned from the Akeida, he heard that Rivka was born and he understood that Rivka was destined to be Yitzchok’s wife. He understood this with Ruach Hakodesh. If so, why did he go to such a length in his instructions to Eliezer?
Rav Druk cites the Sfas Emes that even if a person has the zechus to see true Ruach Hakodesh he still has to be very careful in how he uses it. It is a sakana if he uses it improperly. He gives an example. Korach knew B’ruach Hakodesh that a shalsheles of greatness would come out of him. Therefore, what? He understood, therefore, he should vie for the leadership role in Klal Yisrael. But that destroyed him, even though it all came from Ruach Hakodesh. Even when a person is zoche to Ruach Hakodesh, he has to be careful.
Avraham knew something B’ruach Hakodesh, but he had to be careful, to be tamim ti’yeh im Hashem Elokecha. You have to do your job. Today people look for signs from heaven. People look to go to the so-called Mekubalim who are trained to speak in fuzzy words that people can understand whichever way they like. Be very careful.
Remember, Eliezer went and he saw a miracle with his own eyes. The water came up towards Rivka. Does that mean suddenly it is Rivka? That he needn’t test her, because the water came up to her. Eliezer understood that you don’t pasken from Segulos. He was right.
Later in Parshas Shemos we find someone else to whom the waters miraculously rose, and that is Pharoh. The Nile’s waters would come up towards him. Same as Rivka. However, by Pharoh it was even more miraculous, as it happened all of the time. What is the message of Ruchnios? Be careful. Don’t decide rashly. Tamim Ti’yeh Im Hashem Elokecha. Do what you have to do. Keep the simanim that you have, or the Beracha that you have, in the back of your mind, but do what you have to do. What you perceive as Hashem talking to you is not necessarily what Hashem is actually saying to you.
One must be very careful. A person must not rush and jump to conclusions, but rather see things calmly, patiently, looking into them, hisbonenus, understanding the words that he hears around him and everything that takes place around him.
With that message, we prepare for Chodesh Kisleiv B’ezras Hashem we prepare to march towards Chanukah, to be ready to be Mekabeil the light of Chanukah, the ohr of Chanukah which B’ezras Hashem will bring us to a closeness to the oros of Avodas Hashem.
