Parshat Vayera 5781
Rabbi Jablinowitz
We read in the first pasuk in this week’s parsha Vayera Eilav Hashem B’Eilonei Mamre, V’Hu Yosehv Pesach Ha’Ohel Che’Chom Hayom. Rashi teaches on this pasuk that Hashem came to visit Avraham Avinu who was recuperating from his Bris Milah. He was performing and teaching us the mitzvah of Bikur Cholim.
The Medrash Tanchuma on Lech Lecha (20) teaches that this pasuk is in stark contrast to the pasuk in the previous parsha where Hashem commands Avraham the mitzvah of Milah. The parsha begins in a similar fashion (Chapter 17, Pasuk 1) Vayera Hashem el Avram. However, we read a few pasukim later, Vayipol al Panav, Avraham fell on his face. As Rashi explains, since Avraham didn’t yet have a Bris Milah, he didn’t have the spiritual strength to stand before the Shechinah. In our parsha, when Hashem visits Avraham the Torah says V’Hu Yosehv. Hashem appears to Avraham and not only doesn’t he fall on his face, but he remains sitting in place. What is the significance and meaning of this remarkable transition?
The Sfas Emes teaches that the beginning of our parsha marks a point of transition for Avraham Avinu. The pasuk in parshat Bereishis (Chapter 2, Pasuk 4) states, Eileh Toldos Shamayim Ve’Ha’aretz Be’Hibaram; this is what occurred when Hashem created heaven and earth. The Ba’al Ha’Turim teaches (based on the Zohar Hakadosh), that the letters of Be’Hibaram are the same as Avraham, because heaven and earth were created in the merit of Avraham. Until this point, Avraham’s primary function in the world was to maintain the entire creation. And this explains why Avraham wasn’t commanded to give himself a Bris Milah earlier; his purpose was a more global one.
But with the mitzvah of Bris Milah, Avraham began serving his function as the first of the Avos. The mitzvah of Milah wasn’t for Avraham alone; it was for his entire household as well as for future generations. And just as Avraham was able to sit comfortably in the presence of the Shechinah, this remarkable trait, attained through the mitzvah of Bris Milah, was being passed on to future generations as well.
Before the sin of Adam Harishon, Adam himself was a source of great light. But after the sin, his physical form became a mixture of good and evil. Instead of a Kosnos Ohr, with an aleph, Hashem made for him Kosnos Or, with an ayin, meaning skin instead of light. Avraham and his descendants, Am Yisrael, were chosen to be the nation who would direct the world in finding the light and holiness still contained within man. And this would be accomplished by virtue of the mitzvah of Bris Milah.
The Zohar Hakadosh teaches on the words V’Hu Yosehv Pesach Ha’Ohel, that Pesach Ha’Ohel is a reference to Bris Milah. Avraham was sitting Pesach Ha’Ohel while Hashem appeared to him. Bris Milah is the opening, it’s the means through which we are able to find the light and the Kedushah within us. And as its name Bris indicates, it’s the basis of our relationship and connection to Hashem. It gives us access to the light within us and enables us to connect to Hashem through Torah and mitzvos. And in the case of Avraham Avinu, it even allowed him to remain seated and have an intimate connection with Hashem, where previously he couldn’t even stand in His presence.
After the mitzvah of Bris Milah, Avraham’s role as the one who maintains the creation didn’t end. Rather, it took on a new form. The Medrash Rabbah on our parsha states (48, 8) Pesach Ha’Ohel, Pesach Tov Pasachta La’Ovrim V’Shavim, Pesach Tov Pasachta La’Gerim. You have created a great opening for the passers by and for the potential converts. Avraham Avinu, and his descendants, were meant to pass on this notion of finding the opening and source of light even when it seems to be blocked and hidden. Bnei Yisrael were chosen to be the nation of light and those who try to use the small opening and make it wider and extend it to our entire body. The nation to penetrate the Kosnos Or, with an ayin. But in addition to this role, we have a responsibility outwards and show that Pesach to the world as well and truly be a light unto the nations.
Good Shabbos
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