Parashah Pearls
In Bereishis (12:1), Hashem commands Avraham Avinu, “Go from your land, from your birthplace, and from your father’s house.” These three places represent progressively deeper levels of attachment. A person feels connected to his country, even more so to his birthplace, and most of all to his family home, where he grew up surrounded by familiar influences from his earliest years. Each departure therefore presents a greater challenge. Rav Leib Chasman explains that Hashem was teaching Avraham an important lesson about overcoming negative influences and deeply rooted habits. True change is often best achieved gradually, beginning with what is easier before moving on to greater challenges. Yet we need not face these challenges alone. Chazal (Yumah 38b) teach that when a person sincerely seeks to purify himself, he receives help from Above. Every small step we take toward becoming better opens the door to Hashem’s assistance, giving us the strength to take the next step and continue growing, little by little.
After many painful years of longing for a child, Avraham Avinu received the joyous promise that he would be blessed with descendants. Hashem took him outside and said, “Look toward the heavens and count the stars, if you are able to count them. So shall your descendants be” (Bereishis 15:5). Why did Hashem compare his descendants specifically to the stars? Rav Simchah Wasserman explains a beautiful idea. Every star is unique, as the pasuk says, “He counts the number of stars; He calls each one by name” (Tehillim 147:4). Similarly, every Jew is a unique star, with his own special light to shine upon the world. Each of us has been blessed with unique gifts and abilities, and a special purpose that no one else can fulfill. There is a light that only we can bring into this world, and when we use the gifts Hashem has given us, we make the world a little brighter. (Simchas Eliezer vol.2 p.25)
Avraham Avinu did not have an easy life. He endured ten difficult tests, including leaving behind his homeland and being commanded to sacrifice his beloved son. Chazal teach (Avos 5:3) that he overcame all ten tests. Rav Chaim Volozhin (Ruach Chaim) explains that by overcoming these challenges, Avraham instilled within all his descendants the strength to face their own tests. Whatever challenges we face, we have inherited the strength of Avraham Avinu, and with Hashem’s loving assistance, we too can overcome them.
