None of us is as smart as all of us.
(A:WU TYwARB) ‰...VL IGM YKNA ORBA ARYT LA ...ORBA LA ÂH RBD HYH HLAH OYRBDH RXA‰
“After these things, Hashem’s word came to Avraham in a vision saying, “Do not fear Avram, for I am your protector, your reward is very great.” (Beraishis 15:1)
When his nephew Lot was taken captive during the war between the four kings and the five kings, Avram knew he had to act. He had promised Lot to be there for him, and despite the odds, Avram went to rescue his kinsman, miraculously defeating the powerful armies at the same time.
The king of Sodom, who was saved by Avram’s heroics, offered a deal. “Give me the people, and keep the spoils of war for yourself.” But Avram refused. He told the king that he relied on Hashem alone, and would not take gifts of Man. Not even if he had “earned” them by his own efforts, would Avram allow anyone to say that his wealth didn’t come directly from the hand of hashem.
He responded, “Biladai, not me,” but that his friends who accompanied him should get their proper due. We find this word, Biladai, used by Yosef as well, when he demurred that he had no power to interpret dreams, and that it all came from Hashem. It is a mark of humility that these righteous men used the phrase, negating themselves and giving all honor to Hashem.
It was after these things, as the Ibn Ezra explains, going to rescue his kinsman and completely relying on Hashem, that Hashem came to Avraham in a vision and promised to protect him. Previously, Avraham had merited only visions at night, but now he merited a vision by day. It was because through his actions, the name of Hashem was glorified.
Hashem also told Avram not to fear. He was afraid of two things: first, that the relatives and friends of those he had killed would come to attack him. Hashem said, “Don’t worry, I will protect you.” Then he was worried he might be punished for taking the lives of those he’d killed in battle. To this Hashem replied, “your reward is great.” Not only will you not be punished for it, but you will be rewarded for ridding the world of this evil.
We are now at a time of war. The inhuman forces of Hamas are out to hurt us and our people. It is a time for us to stand up and not be afraid. We must put all our trust in Hashem and come to our nation’s aid as best we can. Then, by following these two behaviors of Avraham our forefather, we will merit the Magen Avraham, the Shield of Abraham, which will usher us into the times of Moshiach, where a great reward will be awaiting us for our faith, devotion, selflessness, and humility.
R’ Shimon of Yaroslav lived to a ripe old age. When he was asked the secret of his longevity he replied thusly:
“Everything that Hashem does is good. However, when things happen to people that they consider bad, they question Him and say that it was unfair, or should not have happened. He therefore has to take them to the Olam HaEmes, the World of Truth of the next world, to show them why what He did was not only just, but good and necessary.
I, on the other hand, am content with whatever Hashem does to me, because I know that all He does is for good. Since He has nothing to prove to me, He has no need to bring me to the next world just yet.”
©2023 – J. Gewirtz
