5787/2026
As an educator, there is a Pasuk in Parashat Lech Lecha that I am drawn to because of its use of the term “Chinuch”. As Avraham prepares for battle against the four mighty kings, the Torah describes, "VaYishma Avram Ki Nishbah Achiv, VaYarek Et Chanichav Yilidei Beito Shemonah Asar U’Shilosh Me’ot, VaYirdoph Ad Dan”, “And Avram heard that Lot was captured and he prepared his soldiers, 318 men, and they chased their enemies until they reached Dan” (BeReishit 14:14). Rashi explains that Avraham did not actually have 318 soldiers. Rather, he went to war only with Eliezer at his side, and Eliezer’s name in Gematria is 318, which is why the Torah uses that number. While Rashi’s explanation is fascinating, it makes us wonder why the Torah would choose to reference Eliezer in this creative, roundabout way, rather than referring to him by name.
Addressing this question, Rabbeinu Bachya suggests that initially Avraham actually had an army of 318 soldiers. However, before going to war, Avraham Avinu provided the pre-war warning commanded later in the Torah that anyone who is afraid because he has committed a sin should return home. This warning caused all of the soldiers to leave, except for Eliezer.
This approach provides us with a greater understanding of why the Torah describes the army as consisting of 318 soldiers, which it initially did, and yet Rashi explains that Avraham went to war with only Eliezer, because ultimately that is what happened. However, this approach raises other questions, such as the significance of the 318 soldiers, which happens to be the same as the gematria of Eliezer. Is there some special significance to this number, especially in the context of this storyline?
Rav Daniel Stein, a Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva University, develops the approach of Rav Tzadok HaKohen of Lublin. Ye’ush or despair, in gematria is 317. Avraham was going to war against 4 mighty kings. This may have seemed overwhelming. To make matters worse, even the army had left him. Naturally, Avraham may have given up and chosen to be Mi’ayesh. The number 318 represents rising above 317 or Ye’ush. Despite everyone else leaving him, Avraham focused on who he still had, Eliezer, and overcame despair to emerge victorious. This theme of overcoming despair, going against the odds, is a recurring theme in the storyline of Avraham and one that he successfully embodies throughout Chumash.
Returning to the term used to describe Avraham Avinu’s army, Chanichav, may convey a profound educational message. Effective Chinuch is building up our students to overcome despair, providing them with the self-confidence to be resilient and move forward. A key to this is evident in Avraham’s perspective: rather than focusing on the soldiers he did not have going to war with him, he appreciated what he did have, in this case, Eliezer. When a student chooses to focus on his talents and strengths, rather than what he feels he is missing or what someone else has, that student is better equipped to overcome challenges, to defeat despair, and emerge victorious.