Parshas LECH LECHA
Avrohom’s Good-Bye Party To describe Yaakov’s departure from Be’er Sheva the Torah uses the word VaYetzei. Rashi famously comments that a tzaddik’s departure makes an impact as he takes with him the beauty, glory, and luster of the place. When Avrohom left his father’s house it says, “Lech Licha,” why did it not say, VaYeitzei?
The Chassam Sofer answers that Yaakov left a city steeped in Torah and Yiras Shamayim, that were the hallmarks of all those that came far and wide to be under the influence of Avrohom and Yitzchok. These good people appreciated Yaakov, and therefore, his departure was a blow to the entire atmosphere of the city. However, when Avrohom left his city, it was almost entirely under the influence of Nimrod and his heretical beliefs. Avrohom was a pariah. Therefore, his leaving did not impact anyone in the city. In fact, they were quite happy to see him go.
What Happened To All Of Avrohom’s Geirim? “VaYikach Avraham … ViEs Kol HaNefesh Asher Asu Bi Charan; Avraham took all the souls that he made in Charan to the Land of Canaan.” Rashi explans that Avraham converted the men, and Sarah converted the women. All these Geirim were brought to Eretz Yisrael.
Pirkei Drabbi Elazar asks, “What happened to the descendents of these Geirim? Have you ever heard of someone saying that he is a descendent of Avraham’s Geirim?” He answers that when Avraham died these Geirim went “off the derech” and back to their old ways. Pardas Yosef explains that this was because they did not respect Yitzchok as much as Avraham and, therefore ,”cooled off” in their Yiddishkeit.
Was Avrohom a Gift Taker or Not? Despite the fact that Avrohom earned all the bounty from Sedom because of his victory over the 4 kings, still, he told the King of Sedom that he will not take any bounty since he didn’t want the king to say he made Avrohom rich. This begs the question of how Avrohom took sheep and cattle from Paroh when he didn’t even deserve it.
Rav Yehonoson Eibishitz suggests that Avrohom didn’t actually take anything from Paroh. Paroh may have appointed him to an important position in his court and, therefore, he earned a great fortune through his position. He points out that the pasuk doesn’t say that Paroh gave him cattle, rather it says, “He was good to Avrohom because of Sarah,” and as a result of this goodness the pasuk,continues, “He had sheep and cattle.” There is never any indication that the sheep and cattle came from Paroh. The Netziv says that Avrohom knew the personalities of the two Kings. When Paroh offered him riches he felt that Paroh was doing this to make himself feel important and not to feel superior to Avrohom. It was a gift offering to a royal personage. However, Avrohom felt that the King of Sedom was giving this as charity to Avrohom, so he refused to accept.
Embarassed, Lot Sneaks Away When Lot departed from Avraham and chose to live in the cities of the Kikar HaYarden, the pasuk says, “VaYisa Lot MiKedem; And Lot traveled from East to west.” If one looks at a map of Eretz Yisrael, one will notice that the Yarden is the eastern border of Eretz Yisrael. If so, how was Lot traveling to cities of Kikar HaYarden in a direction from east to west, he should have been traveling from west to east? The Taz answers that Lot was embarrassed to show Avraham that he wanted to live among the evil people of Sdom. He therefore tried to fool Avraham into thinking that he was headed in the opposite direction (westward). When Avraham was out of sight, he turned around and headed eastward towards the Kikar HaYarden!
How Did Ephraim And Menashe Take Avrohom’s Bracha? “Vinivrichu Vicha Kol Mishpichos HoAdamah;And they will bless in you all the families of the earth.” Rashi tells us, that this means that a man will bless his son that he should be like Avraham. And the following proves this is so. “Bicha Yivarech Yisrael Laymor, Yisimcha Elokim KiEphraim UchMenashe – By you Yisrael shall bless, saying, may Hashem make you like Ephraim and Menashe.”
The question arises, “If Hashem blessed Avraham and Ephraim and Menashe that Klal Yisrael will bless in them, why do we bless our children with the bracha that they should be like Ephraim and Menashe and not they they should be like Avraham? Wasn’t Avraham the first to have received this bracha?”
The Meforshim answer that Ephraim and Menashe had a special quality that caused them to merit that future generations will bless in them. This quality was the fact that remained Tzadikim even through a difficult Galus. Ephraim and Menashe were born in Mitzrayim among people who were of the most immoral to ever live. Still they were able to overcome and remain Tzadikim in the Galus. We bless our children that they too should be like Ephraim and Menashe , to be able to be strong in the Galus and serve Hashem without being influenced from immoral conduct of the Goyim.
WHy Avrohom’s Mitzva Of Mila Required Temimus When giving Avrohom the mitzva of Mila, Hashem said (Lech Licha 17:1), “His’halech Lifanai Veyai Samim; Go before me and be Tamim or innocent and complete.” Why did Hashem ask Avrohom to summon his Mida of Temimus for the Mitzva of Mila?
The Iturei Torah brings from the Avnei Nezer that the answer is that Avrohom’s life mission was to bring people Tachas Kanfei HaShechina. That required showing them he was an ordinary person just like they. and they could be like him. too. He showed them that living a life with Hashem is the better way. After undergoing circumcision Avrohom would no longer be one of the boys, and he might very well lose his power of persuasion. Hashem reminds him that service of Hashem means first and foremost listening to Hashem’s command and not to disobey it because we feel it will help us serve Him better. “Leave the world to me,” says Hashem. “You just do what you are told regardless of the expected outcome.”

Created By Avrohom Sherman
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