Parshas Vayera 5786
- Torah Tavlin
- 22 hours ago
- 2 min read
וה' אמר המכסה אני מאברהם אשר אני עשה (יח-יז)
Before destroying Sodom, Hashem seems to have contemplated informing Avraham Avinu first, questioning, “Shall I hide from Avraham what I am about to do?” The posukim continue, apparently spelling out Hashem’s decision process in telling Avraham: “Since Avraham will become a great and populous nation ... that he may instruct his children and house to keep the way of Hashem by doing what is just and right ...” This requires explanation. Where else do we find a debate whether a prophet should receive nevuah, and furthermore, for the Torah to reveal Hashem’s reasoning?
In the Hakdama to his Sefer Pituchei Chosam, R’ Moshe Sofer zt”l, the Chasam Sofer, writes an amazing explanation. To be a Navi many requirements must be met, as enumerated by the Rambam in Yesodei Hatorah (ch. 7). One condition is התבודדות, which is spending time in seclusion, focusing entirely and solely on Hashem, which leads to an intimate closeness to the Almighty. But because Avraham was so busy with the people and drawing them to the truth, he never had the opportunity to do this. Subsequently, he never attained a level of nevuah found by other prophets! For this reason, Hashem was not going to reveal what was going to happen to Sodom. However, Avraham was perfect in every other area, a true Ish Shaleim, and the only reason he was short in this area was precisely because he was bringing others to true Avodas Hashem. Therefore, Hashem says, “This will not be the reason for Avraham to lose out. After all, he is spending his entire day on building a future that will do what is just and right and serve Me.” And so, Hashem disclosed Sodom’s imminent demise with Avraham.
The Chasam Sofer concludes and says that when helping others, one will certainly not lose out on his own personal growth; to the contrary, he will merit special Siyata Dishmaya. There is a known story of a woman who would call R’ Moshe Feinstein zt”l every Friday to confirm the candle lighting time. R’ Moshe insisted on taking the call himself, explaining, “If Hashem gave me time to help others, how can I not take the time?”