The Torah reveals that Avraham after praying for the salvation of Sodom, he returned, the next day, to same spot to pray: “Avraham arose early in the morning to the place where he had stood before Hashem…” [Bereishis 19:27] It is interesting that Avraham decide to return to the place where he pleas for Sodom were denied. Avraham realized in the morning that his prayers were not successful when he saw the smoke rising from the city of Sodom. What is so important in his behavior that is worth being mentioned in the Torah? The Talmud [Berachos 6b] expounds on the Verse’s emphasis that Avraham returned “to the place where he had originally prayed”, came to teach us: “Whoever establishes a fixed place for his prayers, the G-d of Avraham will help him.” Likewise, “Whoever establishes a fixed place for his prayers is amongst the disciples of Avraham Avinu.” When such a person dies, the Talmud says he is eulogized “What a pious person, what a humble person, he is a disciple of the patriarch Avraham.” This Talmud seems hyperbolic and is difficult to understand. What is the connection between a person praying in the same spot and Avraham Avinu? In what this characteristic enables him to become a disciple of Avraham? Besides, the Zohar warns about exaggerations in eulogies, as it harms the deceased. The Shulchan Aruch also warns about it, so how can the Talmud allow to eulogize him as a pious and humble despite the truth? Chazal teach us the meaning of the Verse [Tehilim 24:3]: “Who will ascend the Mountain of Hashem and who will arise to his Holy Place?” The Verse alludes to two levels of greatness. It is true that climbing a mountain seems to be the most difficult task. However, the Verse reveals that remaining atop the mountain is even more difficult. The metaphor is that one thinks that changing his way of life and getting closer to Hashem is the most difficult task. It is wrong, as invariably in life, we have periods of spiritual waxing and waning. Many times, things happen to us in life that are disappointments and therefore, we become discouraged and fall from our spiritual attainment. Hence, King David informs us that climbing Hashem’s mountain is a beautiful achievement, though to remain there is the most difficult challenge. The intention of the above Verse become now clear. There is a fundamental reason to mention that Avraham returned to prey in the same spot. Indeed, realizing his prayers went unanswered, there should be discouragement and disappointment: “My prayers were in vain. Hashem ignored my pleas.” Most people get spiritually affected, at least temporarily, when having a drawback in their lives or a disappointment. The natural tendency is to give up hope, to slacken off in one’s faith, and so forth. The greatness of Avraham was that he established a fixed place for his prayer. He davened for Sodom, but his prayer did not bear the fruits he expected. Despite that, the next day he returned to the same place and davened the same way with the same faith, the same enthusiasm, and the same concentration. He had no spiritual loss despite the disappointment. This is the true intent of the statement “one who establishes a fixed place for his prayer, the G-d of Avraham will help him.” It does not mean merely davening in 5 the same seat. It means despite setbacks and disappointments that one invariably faces in life; he still can be steadfast and constant in his service and devotion to the Almighty. Such a person is a true disciple of Avraham. The lesson is that sometimes disappointment occur because we feel we are owed, and we deserve to be heard. Accepting Hashem’s judgement and decision requires a good dose of humility and piousness. One has reached the top of the mountain when he feels no disappointment if Hashem has decided differently than him. Now, the words of the Talmud are clear. The following story illustrates the power of someone that has reached the top of the mountain: Rav Tzvi Vitash told the story of Reb Reuven, who was the Shochet in the surrounding villages of Kashou. In his village there was prominent businessman who wanted to lease a large field and was reluctant to go ahead without a Bracha from a Tzaddik, as there were risks involved. He decided to visit Reb Yosef Mayer the Rebbe of Spinka, the Sighet and the Bushtina Rebbes. He asked Reb Reuven if he could accompany him. However, Reb Reuven was a Chassid of the Sighet Rebbe and wanted to only visit his Rebbe. Reb Reuven told the businessman to travel himself to Spinka and to Bushtina, and then they will meet in Sighet and spend Shabbos there. All said and done, it was Thursday Reb Reuven traveled to Sighet, and the businessman headed to Spinka. Friday, as Shabbos was nearing, Reb Reuven was worrying as the businessman had not arrived to Sighet. Sunday morning, the businessman arrived, and after a sigh of relief, Reb Reuven asked him when he would he like to visit the Rebbe? To his surprise he replied he was no longer interested, everything was taken care by the Spinka Rebbe. Upon their return, the businessman leased the field, and planted different crops. The norm was to purchase insurance in the event of ice storms, which usually occurred in the area. However, due to the size of the field, the insurance premium was prohibitively expensive. The businessman decided to check with the Spinka Rebbe if he should buy the expensive insurance. The Rebbe listened to the pros and cons, and stated, “you don’t need to purchase the expensive insurance and have other people insure your crops. Give fifty Silver Rhinish to Tzedakah, and I guarantee you that you will not suffer any loss. If you have any doubts said the Rebbe, you can give the charity after the harvest! The Yid was a staunch believer in the Rebbe’s words, and stated firmly: “I have no doubts, and am giving the 50 Rhinish to charity right now”! The Rebbe smiled and reiterated: “I accept complete responsibility for the success of your crops!” The Yid left the Rebbe, reassured and calm. Though after Pesach, the weather turned very stormy, and freezing rains started pouring destroying the crops. Most farmers were not worried as they were insured. However, the businessman had relied on the blessing of the Spinka Rebbe and was not insured. He became the laughingstock of the farmers for listening to Rabbi to not purchase insurance. The businessman decided to discuss the matter with Reb Reuven and ask if he should inform the Spinka Rebbe, since he lost his crops. The Rebbe surely had no money to compensate him for his losses, despite personally guaranteeing him the success of the venture. Reb Reuven told him to immediately go to the Rebbe as he’s well known Miracle maker. Besides! if the Rebbe took responsibility for your crops, you have no worries, the Rebbe will make sure that you sustain no losses. On the contrary, you will still see great gains, and earn much more than if you were insured. The businessman agreed and immediately went to visit the Spinka Rebbe. The Rebbe listened very carefully to the concerned Yid, and asked him: “Did you thresh the crops yet?” “No” was the answer. The Rebbe stated: “When the time comes to thresh the crops, go and borrow the best threshing machine possible, and Hashem will bless your crops. You will not believe the gains you will have from your field”. After hearing such a firm statement, the businessman regained his confidence thanked the Rebbe. When threshing time came the Yid sought to find the best threshing machine. He found one by a colleague, who had pity on him, and gladly agreed to lend the machine at no cost. The Yid got to work with his workers and began to thresh the field and loaded everything into the threshing machine. The Yid could not believe his eyes, when he saw tons of wheat coming out of the machines! The Bracha of Hashem worked wonders, and the Yid saw that his crops would bring him great success! After completing the work and noticing that the wheat was intact, he was able to sell the wheat at an astronomic price, since there was a shortage after the stormy weather had destroyed all the crops in the region. The Yid went back to the Rebbe to inform him of the success and to thank him. Meanwhile, the fellow farmers who mocked him for listening to the Rebbe, apologized to him. They also began to visit the Spinka Rebbe. This caused a great Kiddush Hashem, as the farmers became closer to Hashem.

By Rabbi Fridmann * [email protected] * 305.985.3461

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