The: ב וֹרֵא ע וֹלָׁם Creator of the world told Avraham Avinu: בְךָ חוֹתְמִּין we conclude (the first Bracha of Shmoneh Esrei) with you (Gemara), i.e., you are more important than Yitzchok and Yaakov, since only you get the: חַ תִּ ימָׁ ה conclusion and not they. What happened to the Chazal that says that a father has no Kin'ah for his own son?? There is a cardinal Yesod in Avodas Hashem: חַיֶיךָ קוֹדְ מִּין YOU come first! Every person has to have a tremendous regard for his own self, since you yourself with your unique Maalos are the more important Chelek of the life that Hashem gave you. And Davka Avraham Avinu is known the most for his love and Chesed to others. When you truly love and appreciate yourself, then you are overflowing with Simcha and you give and Fargin others.
Those who view themselves as zero have a secret pain and low feeling when they become great Baalei Chesed and “givers”. Who was the one who said: וְאָׁהַבְתָׁ לְרֵעֲךָ כָׁמוֹךָ, זֶ ה כְ לַ ל גָׁ דוֹ ל בַ תוֹרָׁ ה רש"י פרשת קדושים יט יח בשם תו"כ “Love your fellow Jew as you love yourself”, this is the basis of the entire Torah? It was none other than Rabbi Akiva; who was also the author of: חַיֶיךָ קוֹדְ מִּין ב"מ סב א YOU come first. The true Baal Chesed has a healthy ego. Indeed, he...
