5787/2026
In the beginning of Parashat Lech Lecha, Hashem commands Avram to leave his current land and follow Hashem to the land that He will show him, Eretz Cana’an. Following this, Hashem tells Avram that He will bless him and make a great nation from him. As the Pasuk says,”V’E’esecha L’Goy Gadol Va’Averechicha Va’Agadlah Shmecha V’Heyeh Berachah”, “I will make of you a great nation, And I will bless you; I will make your name great, And you shall be a blessing” (BeReishit 12:2). But there's one noticeable phrase that sticks out in this Pasuk: “V’Heyeh Berachah”. If Hashem already promises Avram “Va’Averechicha”, “I will bless you”, then why does He immediately add “V’Heyeh Berachah,“ and you shall be a blessing”? What does this phrase suggest and what does it add to the Pasuk?
Rashi, quoting the Midrash (BeReishit Rabbah 39:11), suggests that this phrase could mean that until now, Hashem has blessed others, including Adam and Noach. But now, Hashem places the job of blessing others into the hands of Avram. The Midrash puts a spin on the word Berachah, connecting it to the word Bireichah, meaning a pool of water, or in this case, a Mikvah. Just like a Mikvah, Avram purifies people and brings them closer to HaKadosh Baruch Hu. The Midrash presents many factors of Avram's role: he can bless others, give others what they need, and bring people closer to Hashem. This idea suggests that “V’Heyeh Berachah” isn’t just another promise from Hashem to Avram, it represents the responsibilities that come with Avram's special connection to HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
Seforno seems to make a similar point to Rashi’s. He says that Hashem blesses Avram so that he can become the Tzaddik who brings joy to Hashem through his growth and teaching others. When Hashem says “Va’Averechicha”, Avram is simply receiving a blessing from Hashem. But when He adds “V’Heyeh Berachah”, He’s telling Avram to not just receive his blessing, but to become someone who blesses others and makes a difference in the world.
This idea can relate to a Gemara (Berachot 7a) that tells the story of Rabi Yishmael Ben Elisha, the Kohen Gadol at the time, who entered the Kodesh HaKodashim and experienced a vision of Hashem sitting on the Kisei HaKavod. Hashem told him “Yishmael B’ni, Barcheni”. But why would Hashem ask a human being to bless him? Shouldn’t it be the opposite? This is where the Gemara relates to the idea articulated by Seforno. Rabi Yishmael cannot give Hashem physical gifts or make him more powerful. But he can offer a Tefillah to Hashem that his mercy can strengthen his relationship with Bnei Yisrael. Seforno uses this idea to say that Avram’s teachings help others recognize Hashem’s ways and goodness. Avram can become a blessing by teaching others knowledge of Hashem.
Ramban suggests a unique approach to this phrase. He explains that “V’Heyeh Berachah” means that Avram will become the standard for future Berachot. Rashi understands this phrase as giving Avram the divine power to bless others. Ramban, saying the opposite, interprets this phrase by emphasizing that because Avram received Hashem’s blessings, he becomes the standard for all of those who are blessed in the future.
But, Ramban points something else out as well. When we are introduced to Avram, the only thing that happens is that Hashem tells him to leave his land, and he promises him a great nation. But unlike Noach, who is described as righteous, which is why he was saved, we are never told why Avram deserved being chosen by Hashem in the first place. We are never told that Avram is righteous. Why is that so? Ramban (BeReishit 12:2) explains that the reason for this is self-evident based on the Midrash. Avram had faced persecution when worshipping Hashem in his original home. Because of this persecution, he set off on a journey to Cana’an but stopped in Charan. Hashem now wants Avram to leave there and finish his journey to teach everyone about His greatness. This gives a special meaning to“V’Heyeh Berachah”. Now Avram is being sent to a place where he can freely bless others through Hashem rather than remain somewhere where he was being persecuted for his faith. In the end, these extra words distinguish the blessings Hashem gave Avram from his role in the world. Hashem isn’t only giving Avram wealth or fame, but He’s giving him the opportunity to spread His love and kindness to others. As we move on throughout life, we should always have in mind that Hashem gives us all the power of “V’Heyeh Berachah”.
Avram is not just blessed, but becomes the source for which all future blessings enter the world. We should strive to continue that goal of turning what Hashem gives us into opportunities not just for learning, but for teaching others as well. May we become the Berachah that Hashem granted to Avram, and now passes into the hands of His children.