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“And Sorai said to Avrom, My wrong be upon you.” (16:5)

Rashi explains that Sarai’s complaint was based upon the fact that Avraham had not prayed to Hashem on her behalf. It seems noteworthy that she felt this way. Sarai had made every imaginable attempt to conceive a child, but to no avail. She even took her maidservant into her home for Avraham, an attempt which was later copied by Rachel and Leah. She still felt that something was lacking, – her husband’s prayer! All attempts are of no apparent value unless they are accompanied by prayer. This is the most necessary ingredient for success and accomplishment. The material world consists…

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“And that I will not take from all that is yours, lest you say I have enriched Avram.” (14:23)

Although Avram had previously accepted goods from Pharaoh, he refused to accept anything from the evil Sodom. Accepting gifts from the wicked inhibits the recipients from criticizing the giver, and Avram had no intention of ceasing to rebuke Sodom. This thought may be noted from the choice of words in this pasuk. It does not state, “Lest I say … ” which would imply that by accepting these gifts from Sodom, he might forget that all wealth and prosperity comes solely from Hashem. Had this been the reason, he should have similarly refused Pharaoh’s gifts. The pasuk, likewise, does not…

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“And Lot lifted up his eyes and beheld all of the plain of Jordan.” (13:10)

The narrative concerning Lot is puzzling. He accompanied his mentor, Avraham, throughout his exile. His physical resemblance to Avraham reflected the spirit of an individual who maintained a high standard of morality. Suddenly he separated as Lot sought out the fertile lands. In Lot’s next appearance he had been transformed into a depraved individual with the result that the Torah prohibits his male descendants from being included in Am Yisrael. How are we to rationalize this enigma?   Horav Yisrael Salanter Z”l tells of a Yeshiva student who was diligent in Torah study. Upon leaving the sheltered walls of the…

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Go away to yourself, from your land, from your birthplace. (12:1)

Ever since Hashem had driven Adam from Gan Eden to wander throughout the world, man has been seeking for Hashem. Even man’s early attempts to worship idols began as a form of searching for the source of all being. Avram was the one who discovered the secret, but not by exploring remote heights. The Midrash relates that “by himself he studied Torah“. We may suggest that he didn’t merely study by himself, but the meaning here is that he studied from himself, from within himself. His introspection led him to reflect upon the precision by which the universe is ordered….

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