Parshat Chayei Sarah 5779
Rabbi Jablinowitz
We read in this week's parsha about Eliezer Eved Avraham searching for a wife for his master's son Yitzchak. The Torah describes how Eliezer meets Rivkah and realizes that she is the appropriate wife for Yitzchak. When he meets with her family, the Torah retells the story as Eliezer details to her family how he met Rivkah. Commenting on this repetition, Rashi (Chapter 24, Pasuk 40) teaches Yafeh Sichasan shel Avdei Avos M’Torasan shel Banim; the conversation of the slaves of our forefathers is preferable over the Torah of their sons. The story of Eliezer is repeated in the Torah, while significant bodies of Halacha aren't even mentioned explicitly and are derived through various methods of derasha.
The Sfas Emes compares this statement to the Mishnah in Avos (4, 22) Yafah Sha’ah Achas B’Teshuvah U’Ma’asim Tovim Ba’Olam Hazeh, M’Kol Chayei OIam Habah. Chazal teach that one moment of Teshuvah and good deeds in this world is better than life in Olam Habah. How could this be? The very same Tanna, Rabbi Yaakov, teaches in the previous Mishnah, Olam Hazeh Domeh L'Prozdor Bifnei Olam Haba, this world is like a corridor to get to Olam Haba. How could one moment in the passageway, even involved in Torah and mitzvos, be superior to the ultimate destination, Olam Haba?
The Sfas Emes explains that the Tanna is expressing the notion of how important and significant the process of preparation and growth is. Olam Hazeh is the place to prepare and achieve a place in Olam Haba. How great is this process of improving and developing ourselves and making ourselves worthy. For once we leave this world we are no longer able to continue this process.
The Sfas Emes learns that the Medrash Rashi quotes is meant to be understood in the same manner. We have two relationships with Hashem; one as a slave to a master and the other as a son to a father. The more intimate relationship of a son to a father has to be developed. We first begin as a slaves by serving our master faithfully with prayer; the Sichasan shel Avdei Avos is a reference to davening, as we have in this week's parsha (Chapter 24, Pasuk 63), Vayetzei Yitzchak La'Suach Ba'Sadeh, Eiyn Sichah Elah Tefillah. After that we are able to reach the level of a father to a son which is exemplified by being involved in Hashem's Torah. Yafeh Sichasan shel Avdei Avos M’Torasan shel Banim is teaching us that Hashem values greatly the process of relating to Him as a slave who serves his master faithfully more than the closeness of as son studying His Torah. One can't be a son until he is a slave first.
The Chidushei HaRim describes this process as moving from Arur to Baruch, from being cursed to being blessed. Rashi teaches (Chapter 24, Pasuk 39) that Eliezer wanted Avraham to give his son Yitzchak to his own daughter. But the Medrash states that Avraham wouldn't consider this since Eliezer came from Cana'an who was cursed and Eiyn Arur Medabek B'Baruch, one who is cursed may not cling to one who is blessed. But later on the Medrash Rabbah states (60, 7) that by serving Avraham his master faithfully, Eliezer successfully transformed himself from Arur to Baruch.
This is a process we undergo every week. During the week we are on a level of Arur waiting for the Kedushah of Shabbos to bring us to Baruch. During the days of the week we are like slaves serving Hashem through Tefillah and Emunah. But on Shabbos we are like sons entering the intimate chamber of our Father. The Gemara in Shabbos 10B teaches that Hashem says Matanah Tovah Yesh Li B'Beis Genazi U'Shabbos Shemah. I have a special present in my treasure house and it's called Shabbos. On Shabbos Hashem brings us into his treasure house and brings us close. And one of the treasures that Hashem gave us is His Torah. Shabbos is the day we reach the level of Torasan shel Banim, the closeness of a son in his father's chamber studying Torah.
Shabbos is also a special day of Bracha, as the pasuk says (Chapter 2, Pasuk 3) Vayevareich Elokim es Yom Ha'Shevi'i. Shabbos is a day we move from a mundane existence of the physical world, of Arur, to Baruch, the blessing of Shabbos. But in order to make the transition from Arur to Baruch we must follow the model provided for us by Eliezer; we must also serve our master faithfully. Only after we achieve the slave relationship can we move on to the blessed relationship of a son to a father.
And the Sfas Emes adds, it seems to him that in order to properly receive the blessing of Shabbos one must eagerly greet the Shabbos. One must be early for Shabbos and add on to the Kedushah of Shabbos, the mitzvah of Tosefes Shabbos. When we show our faith in Hashem and His Shabbos and greet the Shabbos with joy, we can move from Arur to Baruch. And this is the process which Chazal teach us is so beloved to Hashem. Yafeh Sichasan shel Avdei Avos M’Torasan shel Banim.
Good Shabbos
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