5784/2023
Parashat VaYeira begins recounting the story of Avraham Avinu and the angels. Right before the angels appear, the Torah tells us that Hashem came to visit Avraham, to be מבקר חולה. And so it happens, as Avraham is being visited by Hashem, the angels appear and Avraham Avinu tells Hashem: “Please wait a second, let me go check on these people walking up to my tent, let me welcome them in, and give them some food and drink… I’ll be right back.” And as is so famously asked, WHAT? Is Avraham not sitting right now talking to Hashem? Hashem – the king of all kings, creator of the universe? Did Avraham just tell Him to “please wait a second?!” And if you’ll say, no, Avraham is going to do Hashem’s Mitzvot, he’s going to perform Hachnasat Orchim, Hashem is into that – isn’t the whole point of performing Mitzvot to grow closer to Hashem? Avraham is as close to Him as it gets right now – he is literally sitting and talking with him!
Rav Noach Weinberg zt”l offers an incredible idea to explain Avraham Avinu’s actions, and by doing so, shares a fundamental insight in our Avodat Hashem. Our assumption was that we perform Mitzvot to get closer to Hashem, to build a relationship and connection with Him. Says Rav Weinberg, Yiddishkeit and our performance of Mitzvot are not about being close to Hashem but rather about being like Hashem. A person’s job in life is to emulate Hashem, to strive to be like Him, and performing Mitzvot is our vehicle to get there. So, if Avraham Avinu was as close to Hashem as he could possibly be in that moment, why was he running to perform Hachnasat Orchim, to perform another mitzvah? With this new insight in mind, the answer is simple: Avraham Avinu was running to be like Hashem. Hashem is the ultimate bestower of kindness – He is “רב חסד” – and Avraham Avinu seized the opportunity to do another act of kindness, to follow in Hashem’s ways. Avraham understood that our performance of Mitzvot, on the deepest of levels, is not about being close to Hashem but about being like Hashem.
As we continue in this difficult period of tremendous uncertainty in Eretz Yisrael and try every day to perform a few more Mitzvot in its merit, let us learn from Avraham Avinu and not just do the Mitzvot as a means of getting closer to Hashem but more so as a way to emulate Him and follow in His ways – “והלכת בדרכיו”. May our performance of Mitzvot and, specifically, our following in Hashem’s ways, be a merit for our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisrael and hasten the coming of Mashiach במהרה בימינו!