We read in this week's parsha that when a famine breaks out in Eretz Yisrael, Yitzchak plans on going down to Egypt as his father Avraham did. Hashem appears to him and tells him not to leave Eretz Yisrael, but to stay in Grar for the entire Eretz Yisrael was promised to his father. And this is on account of Avraham having kept the mitzvoth and listened to his voice, Eikev Asher Shama Avraham B'Koli. What "voice" is the Torah referring to that Avraham heeded?

Rashi comments that the Torah is referring to the voice of Gd when He tested him. The Maharal explains that the words Shama Avraham B'Kolirefer to following a request which is not necessarily understood. Avraham carried out the commands of his Nisyonos like Lech Lecha and theAkeidah, though he didn't understand the reason for it. We see a similar concept when Sarah asks Avraham to send Hagar and Yishmael away and Avraham is upset about this. Hashem tells Avraham (Chapter 21, Pasuk 12), Kol Asher Tomar Eilecha Sarah Shema B'Kolah. Hashem tells Avraham that despite his not agreeing with or understanding Sarah's request, he should listen to her and as Rashi explains, listen to the Ruach Hakodesh inherent in her words. In our pasuk as well, Shama Avraham B'Koli, Avraham listened to the voice of Hashem regardless of whether he understood the reason for it.

The Sfas Emes gives a similar explanation in our parsha as well. When the Torah states Eikev Asher Shama Avraham B'Koli, it is not referring to a specific command given to Avraham Avinu. Rather the Torah is referring to a particular voice which is constantly going out from the heavens that we need to listen to. This voice is the sound of the Asarah Ma'amaros with which Hashem created the world and which serves as a constant reminder that Hashem is the Creator. The sound of the "voice of Hashem" is contained within creation and Avraham was sensitive enough to sense and realize the presence of the Creator manifest within the created world.

Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi teaches in Avos (6, 2) that there is a Bas Kol which goes out from Har Sinai and declares woe to the people for the disgrace caused to the Torah by those who don't study Torah. The Torah says in parshas Va'Eschanan (Chapter 5, Pasuk 19), Kol Gadol V'Lo Yasaf. The voice heard at Har Sinai is an ongoing, eternal voice. The Sfas Emes teaches that this is the Bas Kol referred to by Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi. It is the voice of the Aseres HaDibros which serve as a constant reminder that Hashem gave us the Torah. Just as there is an ongoing voice of the Asarah Ma'amaros to remind us that Hashem created the world, there is a constant voice, a Bas Kol, emanating from Har Sinai to remind us that Hashem gave us the Torah. And just as Avraham Avinu was sensitive enough to hear the sound of the Asarah Ma'amaros, Shama Avraham B'Koli, we need to hear this sound and the sound of the Aseres HaDibros just as our forefathers did at Sinai, Na'aseh V'Nishma.

According to the Maharal, the challenge of listening to the Kol is in our inability to understand it. And according to the Sfas Emes, the challenge of the Kol is in our insensitivity and inability to hear it. Avraham Avinu met both these challenges; he heard the sound of Hashem as the Creator, the "Ba'al HaBirah", and as the commander of Lech Lecha, and he succeeded in all of his tests despite his not fully understanding the reason for them. Our challenge as well is in having the sensitivity of Avraham Avinu to hear the Kol of Hashem emanating from Har Sinai, and to follow it with his dedication as well.

Good Shabbos