Avraham is davening to Hashem on behalf of Sdom, begging Hashem to not destroy the city. The pasuk says, “And Hashem said, Shall I conceal from Abraham what I do? And Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation” (18-18, 19) " What is the connection between Hashem deciding to not conceal his intentions (about destroying Sdom) and Avraham becoming a great nation?
A mashal:
A man walks into a clothing store and finds another individual there trying to buy clothing for his son, asking many questions about fit and style in order to purchase items that would be just right for his son. The man that entered the store joined the conversation, and asked the salesman the same questions. The store keeper explained to the customers that we are wasting our time, because the children are not here; we won’t know exactly how the item will fit each child and if it will be to his liking. If not, then they will have to come back and exchange the clothing. The shopkeeper insisted that it would be best if both men would bring their sons in to the shop, so that they can be properly fitted. The first man agreed and left to get his child, but the second man explained that it was not worth it for him to leave and return with his son. “You see,” he explained, “that man has only one son, so he needs the clothing to be perfectly suitable for him. I have many children, so if it is not appropriate for one child, it will be for another.”
Hashem knew that Sdom had no chance to be saved, and that He was going to destroy it. Nevertheless, Hashem loves the prayers of the righteous Tzadikim; they are very precious to Him. Hashem says, should I conceal my plans from Avraham, should I not tell him that his prayers won’t help, since Sdom must to be destroyed? Hashem then continues that Avraham will become a great nation. His tefillot will not be wasted, because even though Hashem could not fulfill this request, He will fulfill many others that Avraham’s offspring will make in the future. Avraham’s tefillot won’t be lost, just like the man who has other sons to give the clothing to, should it not fit the first one.
There are many times in life that we feel we are not being heard, but the Torah shows us that no tefillah goes unheeded. True, we may not see a specific request fulfilled, but we are being heard, and Hashem, in His great love for us, uses that tefillah in another situation, perhaps an even more necessary one.
May we all merit seeing our tefillot answered immediately. But if we don’t witness an immediate response, we should rest assured that Hashem will use our tefillah in the most appropriate case possible.
