Rashi comments on the pasuk “Vayeilech l'masa'av” that when Avraham Avinu returned from Mitzrayim to Eretz Canaan, he deliberately lodged in the same inns where he had stayed on his journey down to Mitzrayim. From here Chazal derive a lesson in derech eretz: a person should not unnecessarily change his place of lodging. Rashi then offers a second explanation:
“U'vachazaraso para hakafosav - Upon his return, he repaid his debts.”
The Chida, in Pnei David, raises a striking question. Who would extend credit to a traveler passing through unfamiliar towns, with no established reputation and
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no local connections? Furthermore, how could Avraham Avinu himself embark upon such a journey without sufficient funds? See inside for what he answers.
The Beis Yitzchak, citing Rav Yitzchak of Volozhin, zt"l, son of Rav Chaim Volozhin, zt"l, offers a beautiful explanation. A similar approach is found in the writings of the Chasam Sofer.
Throughout his life, Avraham Avinu proclaimed a revolutionary truth: that HaKadosh Baruch Hu alone governs the world, sustaining and providing for every creature, from the mighty rei'em to the smallest louse. When Avraham descended to Mitzrayim because of the famine, many challenged him:
“If Hashem truly sustains all of His creations, why are you forced to leave Eretz Canaan? Can He not provide for you wherever you are?”
This question is already discussed by the Chovos HaLevavos in his introduction to Sha'ar HaBitachon. He recounts the story of a porush [pious ascetic] who travelled to a distant land in search of sustenance. Upon arriving, he encountered an idolater who challenged him:
“You claim to serve the Creator Who provides sustenance for all His creatures. If you genuinely believe that He feeds and sustains every living being, why did you leave your city? If He can provide for you here, surely He could have provided for you there as well.”
The porush was unable to answer. Realizing the force of the question, he returned home and resolved never again to leave his city in search of livelihood.
Similarly, when people questioned Avraham Avinu regarding his descent to Mitzrayim, he offered no response.
The answer would reveal itself in time.
When Avraham returned from Mitzrayim, everyone witnessed the extraordinary Kiddush Hashem that had emerged from the entire episode. They saw how Hashem had protected Sarah Imeinu as the apple of His eye, struck Pharaoh and his household, enriched Avraham with immense wealth, and returned him safely to Eretz Canaan.
Even more significantly, the entire episode served as a prophetic foreshadowing of the future exile of Klal Yisrael in Mitzrayim. Just as Avraham descended to Mitzrayim and emerged with great wealth, so too his descendants would descend into Mitzrayim, witness the Ten Plagues, and ultimately leave with great riches.
This, explains the Beis Yitzchak, is the meaning of Rashi’s statement that Avraham “repaid his debts.”
These were not financial debts.
Rather, they were the questions, challenges, and doubts that had been directed against him. Upon his return, he did not need to answer a single question. The events themselves provided the answer. Everyone could now see how Hashem protects those who trust Him and guides them with astonishing precision through every stage of their lives.
Thus, Avraham repaid all of his “creditors” by demonstrating the reality of Divine Providence.
Every person receives from Hashem according to the measure of his trust.
As Dovid HaMelech declares:
"It is better to take refuge in Hashem than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in Hashem than to trust in princes."
The Vilna Gaon notes that machseh (taking refuge) represents a lower level than bitachon (complete trust). Yet even merely seeking shelter beneath Hashem's protection is superior to placing one’s full confidence in the promises of the most powerful and generous benefactors.
The lesson is timeless.
There are moments in life when Hashem’s ways appear difficult to understand. Questions arise, and answers are nowhere to be found. Yet a Jew is called upon to trust that the Ribbono Shel Olam is orchestrating every detail with wisdom and purpose.
Avraham Avinu did not answer his critics when they challenged him. He simply continued forward with unwavering emunah and bitachon. In the end, it was Hashem Himself who provided the answer.
So too in our own lives. What appears today as a question may tomorrow become an answer. What seems like a descent may ultimately reveal itself as the beginning of a greater ascent. For those who place their trust in Hashem, every step of the journey is guided by His loving and meticulous hand.