STORY OF THE REBBE RASHAB
(א) Story of the Rebbe RaShab - Everyone can cry for G-d to be revealed; and one can demand that G-d reveal Himself like He did to Avrohom after the circumcision
(ח) Avrohom’s task was to draw down from above to below אהבה כמים; Yitzchak’s task was to cause a movement upwards אהבה כרשפי אש
One has to achieve mastery over one’s five (ה) organs: 2 eyes, 2 ears, & the membrum; plus, a general bitul as a prelude to a higher level
A Jew must use both the avodah of Avrohom and of Yitzchak; drawing down and working without any calculations
וירא אליו ה'
Receiving of guests is compared to the receiving of the Divine Presence: Zohar (רשב"י) the two items are equated, since on that level both services are equal. Gemara (Rambam) receiving quests (physical) is greater than receiving the Divine Presence (spiritual). For our level Avrohom’s service of kindness affected that receiving guests would fulfill the purpose of man. Avrohom established for us the concept of mesiras nefesh for chesed and education.
Avrohom's circumcision needed to be similar to mitzvos performed after Mattan Torah, thus no miraculous intervention could be involved in the natural healing process (early appearance of HaShem); the angel (source of nature) must have come on the 3rd day (normal healing day). Our avodah must be to take the natural order of the world and make that also into a vessel for G-dliness.
2 versions of the story of the Rebbe Rashab. By the bris milah Avrohom accomplished the avodah in such perfection, that he also perfected all his previous services. When one wishes to achieve a higher level of avodah, sometimes one must leave the previous accomplishments.
Before circumcision – Avrohom perceived G-d in a vision; his service was a result of his own motivation and, thus, limited – like man-made bricks. After circumcision – Avrohom perceived G-d with clarity; his service was a result of Divine direction and, thus, not limited – like stones.
The word “approaching” is used here as a form of mental preparation; Avrohom argued aggressively with G-d on behalf of others though against his nature. If one sees another Jew “drowning” spiritually, then one must act even if it is out of character with one’s personality.
When my father was four or five years old, he went to his grandfather, the Tzemach Tzedek, on Shabbat Vayeira, and began to cry as he asked, "Why did G-d show Himself to our father Avrohom - but He does not show Himself to us?" The Tzemach Tzedek answered him: "When a Jew (another version: a tzadik) decides at the age of ninety-nine years that he should be circumcised, he deserves that G-d appear to him." HaYom Yom, 9th of Cheshvan
