פרשת לך-לך
This week’s parsha begins the narrative of Avraham Avinu. The impact that Avraham Avinu has had on the world cannot be fathomed. Avraham and all his descendants became the pinnacle of creation, bringing the message of the Torah to the entire world and setting an example for all of humanity. Recognizing the One G-d who created the universe, when everyone else believed in idols, Avraham Avinu chose a path that set him apart from the rest of mankind. The Midrash in Breishis Rabba 14:6, describing Avraham’s prominence, calls him the “greatest of giants.” The Midrash continues by saying that Avraham Avinu even deserved to be the first man, instead of Adam HaRishon. The only reason Avraham was created after Adam was so that he could rectify Adam HaRishon’s mistake of eating from the Tree of Knowledge. However, we must understand this Midrash. How did Avraham Avinu rectify all of creation from the sin of Adam HaRishon?
Rav Aryeh Finkel points out that Adam HaRishon sinned because he thought that he could serve Hashem better if he ate from the Tree of Knowledge. To fall from an optimum state of being and choose to go back and reclaim it, he thought, would surely be a more eloquent service of G-d than merely maintaining an elevated state that demanded no serious exertion on his part. However, Adam HaRishon erred in thinking that he knew better than Hashem. Regardless of how lofty such a service of Hashem had the potential to be, Hashem had asked of Adam HaRishon only one thing; to listen to His word. Thus, Adam HaRishon sinned, choosing to honor his intellect rather than his Creator. However, Avraham Avinu did the exact opposite. He totally negated every part of his being and only did Hashem’s will. Avraham Avinu pushed his intellect, feelings, and dreams out of the picture entirely, even to the point that he enthusiastically rushed to fulfill Hashem’s request that he sacrifice his own son, the very son whom he had hoped would carry on his life’s mission. Furthermore, while Avraham Avinu experienced many challenges in his life, the only thought that ever ran through his mind was to just continue doing what Hashem wanted. Avraham Avinu transcended his intellect and his very self to do the will of G-d and in this way he showed humanity the very purpose of man.
Rav Reuven Fine asks what gives someone like Avraham Avinu– and for that matter, any person– the ability to reach such an exalted level that he can completely transcend even what resonates in his own mind? It seems that to shut off one’s thoughts negates the very essence of a human being! However, Rav Fine explains that what gave Avraham this unique strength was the fact that he loved Hashem so strongly that he was willing to do anything for Him. Avraham’s loyalty, and his aspiration to subjugate every ounce of energy to the service of Hashem, gave him a perspective that rendered his own personal ambitions meaningless. Since Avraham’s heart was completely filled with the passion to cleave to Hashem and be faithful to Him, there was never any conflict between Hashem’s will and his own. The Mishna in Pirkei Avos 5:3 says that Avraham Avinu went through ten tests and passed them all. Rashi comments that not only did Avraham Avinu avoid doing that which was contrary to Hashem’s will, the possibility of even questioning why Hashem was subjecting him to such tests didn’t even cross his mind. Avraham’s only thoughts were centered on doing just what Hashem wanted of him in the best possible way. The Yaavetz says that many people have the ability to devote themselves to Hashem’s will in many areas. However, what made Avraham Avinu unique is that he accomplished this in all fields. Nothing interfered with Avraham Avinu’s loyalty and total submission to Hashem. We must realize that completely identifying with Hashem and committing ourselves to care only about His will being be actualized is, in truth, what sets apart those who walk with Hashem and those who do not. It is this approach to life that will give us the strength we need to withstand all of our challenges.
The Holocaust is an issue that the entire Jewish People has found difficult to comprehend. Many Jews who experienced the horrors of the camps even stopped learning Torah and keeping mitzvos because of the trauma. Until this day, people see the Holocaust as an indication that there is no G-d who cares and watches over us, has v’shalom. However, while some lost their faith in Hashem during the Holocaust, others strengthened their faith. Rav Moshe Yehoshua Aharonson, a prolific rabbi who served as the Rav of a community in Europe and authored the “Yeshuos Moshe,” wrote in his diary words that could only be written by a man completely dedicated to Hashem. Rav Aharonson wrote that he was in the camps from the very first day they opened until they were finally liberated. Nevertheless, he says he never had any difficulty trusting in Hashem and His judgment, and he never lost his spirit. Baruch Hashem, he merited not only to strengthen his own faith and lift his own spirits, but also to encourage others. Even when he saw his fellow Jews being slaughtered in front of his very eyes, he never faltered and instead would daven for the hastening of the redemption. Rav Aharonson testifies that, although almost everyone else was sad and down-spirited because of the atrocities of the Holocaust, he was always happy. He had faith in Hashem, and although he, like everyone else, couldn’t understand the ways of Hashem and the reason for such suffering, he didn’t need to. As long as he was alive, he was happy for the opportunity to cling to Hashem with all his heart.
May we all be zoche to completely dedicate ourselves to Hashem!!!