Rashi explains that the word “kfc” alludes to the fact that Avraham was blessed with a son, since the numerical equivalent of “kfc” equals that of “ic”, which means “son.” It seems peculiar that the Torah would be so circumspect, rather than explicitly stating that Avraham was blessed with a son. Horav Nissan Alpert, z.l., offers two insightful answers to this question. Although parents make every attempt to raise children in an appropriate manner, sometimes it is to no avail. Some children grow up and unfortunately do not see “eye to eye” with their parents. The type of wife envisioned by the father is not consistent with the son’s perspective of a mate or vice versa. In Yitzchak’s situation, a harmonious outlook existed between father and son. Avraham had fathered a son whose total outlook was compatible to his own. He was blessed with “kfc” – everything – a son who was his in every sense of the word.
He suggests another thought which is specifically applicable to those fathers who devote so much of their time and energy to communal endeavors. Their lives are totally entwined in community affairs, often at the expense of their own families. These individuals contrast to those who exemplify the “perfect” parents, whose entire lives revolve around their families. Their devotion to family knows no bounds, alas, at the expense of the community. One must always be cognizant of the “other” children in the community. Truly blessed is he who can succeed in accomplishing his missions, both at home and in the community. This can occur when parents educate their children to the importance of “chesed”– kindness to others. When one shares with his children the performance of various communal endeavors, such as charity, visiting the sick, helping the downtrodden, one achieves two objectives. First, one sensitizes children to the importance of helping a fellow Jew. Second, one actually performs this mitzvah. Such an educational process will succeed in creating a strong, harmonious family environment, in which parents participate in a meaningful relationship with their children. This was Avraham’s blessing: he succeeded “kfc”w in everything. By involving his son in his life’s work, he was able to fulfill his obligations to both the community and his family.
