VOLUME 123 NUMBER
Cheshvan 12, 5787
October 23, 2026
Parshas Lech-Lecha
Candlelighting Time 5:51
Hashem made a covenant with Avrohom guaranteeing him that his children would inherit the Land of Israel. However, apparently Avrohom was not secure with that guarantee and requested that they should be assured. The response was that when we observe the sacrificial order then we will merit to have the Land of Israel. Even though nowadays we unfortunately don’t have that ability still we maintain our right to the Land of Israel. Seemingly, although Avrohom’s request was simple enough Hashem punished him for that inquiry and as a result we had to endure the many years of exile in Egypt as a purification for that blunder. What was so wrong with what Avrohom said? Didn’t we need to know how we would deserve the eventual claim to reside in Israel?
However, there is a deeper issue truly at hand. Hashem guaranteed that Avrohom’s children would indeed gain residence in Israel. Did Avrohom not believe that Hashem would fulfill his promise? He was the initial devotee to Hashem before anyone else. Adam was created by Hashem and allowed to live in a wonderful environment referred to as Gan Aden and certainly recognized that Hashem was extant, even speaking to him. And Noach also received from Hashem a directive that there would be a cataclysmic event and planned for it to the best of his ability. However, Avrohom at first did not have a communication with Hashem, yet he discovered on his own that there must be a supreme creator as the Midrash states. Since he was able to determine that there was a Creator of the universe, such a startling understanding which undermined the ongoing devotion to idolatry certainly one would assume that his belief was sturdy and deep-seated. So why the uncertainty?
Rav Moshe Feinstein explains that clearly their merit to reside in the Land of Israel was hinged upon their unceasing commitment to Hashem. If there would be a lapse in their dedication to observance of Torah and mitzvos that would endanger their privilege to remain in the Land of Israel. As a result, Avrohom needed to advocate for them out of concern for their reception of the land. He voiced his concern and clearly he didn’t intend to express a doubt that Hashem’s guarantee would not be fulfilled. There was a distinct possibility that there would be an interference of the promise because of a lack of proper observance. That motivated Avrohom to beseech Hashem to give his children an avenue of avoiding that they would be dealt with too severely and lose this opportunity.
However, this explanation raises another question. Since Avrohom was so concerned about the welfare of his children, then why was his inquiry deemed to be inappropriate? Rav Feinstein explains that even though Avrohom had a concern, at his level of belief and trust in Hashem he should have realized that Hashem with His tremendous love for us would have had empathy and consideration for us and we would have gained residence in the Land of Israel. Although there is a very fine line between Avrohom’s concern and the criticism against him, when one is striving to excel in the intensity of belief in Hashem there needs to be an absolute understanding of what Hashem truly wants from us and how we must relate to him. Even though on our level perhaps such a slipup would be explicable, however due to the status of Avrohom it was a suitable censure.
A BYTE FOR SHABBOS
After Avrohom successful conquest of the four most powerful armies of his day, the king of Sodom wanted to reward him with some of the booty. Avrohom declined to accept the gift but permitted those with him to receive from the king a share of the plunder. Again, although he realized that he shouldn’t enrich himself from that treasure but for others it was suitable. CHOFETZ CHAIM
GOOD SHABBOS
