B"H

 

 

 

VAYEIRA

 

THE CHASSIDIC DIMENSION

Compiled by: http://www.neshamaart.com

 

Seeing Truth: The Revelation to Avraham

Adapted from Likutei Sichos, Vol. X, p. 49ff: Sichos Shabbos Parshas Vayeira 5749, 5750, 5751 5752

 

A Child's Tears

 

When Rabbi Sholem Dov Ber, the fifth of the Lubavitcher rebbeim, was a young child, he was taken to his grandfather the Tzemach Tzedek for a birthday blessing. When he entered his grandfather's room, he began to cry.

 

After calming him, his grandfather asked him the reason for his tears. The child replied: "In cheder, we learned that G-d revealed himself to Avraham. Why doesn't He reveal Himself to me?"

 

The Tzemach Tzedek replied: "When a Jew who is 99 years old recognizes that he must circumcise himself, he deserves that G-d reveal himself to him."

 

Redefining Landmarks

 

The Zohar highlights Avraham's circumcision as a turning point in the nature of the revelations he received. When describing the revelations Avraham was granted before the circumcision, the Torah states: "And G-d appeared to him in a vision," using Aramiaic term machezeh for the word "vision." In contrast, Parshas Vayeira begins "And G-d appeared to him," using the Hebrew term vayeira, which implies direct revelation.

 

Hebrew is Lashon HaKodesh, "the holy tongue," the language which G-d employs to express Himself. Other languages, by contrast, are human inventions. By using an aramaic term, the Torah implies that the revelations Avraham experienced before circumcision were clothed in the trappings of our material world. He could conceive of G-d only in human terms; he could not appreciate Him as He truly is.

 

A great gap separates mortal man from G-d's infinity. By definition, any human conception can be only a restricted view. The act of circumcision transformed Avraham, enabling him to perceive G-d as He is. Therefore the revelation of Vayeira was direct, without veils of constraints. G-d manifested Himself for Avraham openly, spanning the gap separating every created being from its Creator.

 

With the Heart of a Child

 

The desire for a direct bond with G-d is a fundamental element of every person's makeup. When the Rebbe Rashab came to his grandfather for a birthday blessing, he merely expressed this longing.

 

The moral of the story is universal. Within every one of us there is a simple, childlike dimension that yearns to cleave to G-d. Without ceasing to function as mature individuals, each of us can share an all-encompassing relationship with

G-d.

 

The above is particularly relevant in the present age, brief moments before Mashiach's coming. For the essence of the Era of the Redemption will be the direct revelation of G-d; "Your Master will conceal Himself no longer, and your eyes will perceive your Master. As we stand on the threshold of this era, the inner thirst can be felt more powerfully.

 

Moreover, the potential exists to experience a foretaste of the Redemption in the present age. We can develop an awareness of G-d and recognize him as an actual force pervading every aspect of our lives.

 

[In the Garden of Torah, Insights of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson on the Weekly Torah Readings, Volume 1 p.21-2,24-5]