Parshas Vayera
A Glimpse of the Divine Presence
The Lord appears to Avraham at a very strange time. He is convalescing from
his surgical circumcision; the day is very hot and it is high noon; and he
is apparently looking for human company as he sits at the entrance to his
tent. And even though he does espy three strangers and invites them in, the
Lord, so to speak, interrupts this happening by appearing just then to
Avraham. He is left conflicted as to which of his meetings he should give
precedence to.
The rabbis deduce from Avraham’s behavior that greeting and hosting human
guests even takes precedence over communicating with the Divine Spirit! But
the fact that such a juxtaposition of events occurs at the same time is
itself a great lesson in life and faith.
The Lord appears to people at strange and unpredictable times. To some it is
in sickness and despair. To others it is at moments of joy and seeming
success. Some glimpse the Divine in the beauty and complexity of nature
while others find their solace and epiphany in the halls of study and in
challenges to the intellect. Since we are all different in nature and
outlook, the Lord customizes His appearance to each one of us to fit our
unique circumstances.
Thus people experience their own sense of spirituality and connection to
their inner essence and to their Creator differently and at different
moments in their lives. Some are frightened into such an experience while
others enter into it with serenity and confidence. But we can certainly
agree that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to dealing with our
souls and the eternal One.
The Lord appears to Avraham at the moment of his hospitality and tolerance
towards strangers. In the tent of Avraham and Sarah, creatures can enter as
Bedouin Arabs covered with desert dust and leave refreshed as radiant
angels. It is in the service of others and in the care for the needs of
others that the Lord appears in the tent of Avraham and Sarah. It is in the
goodness of their hearts that the Lord manifests His presence, so to speak,
to Avraham and Sarah.
Every one of us has traits and a nature that defines us. Just as chesed –
goodness, kindness, and care for others – defined Avraham and Sarah, so too
are we defined by our concerns, habits and behavior. And it is within that
background that the Lord appears to each of us individually, if we are wise
enough to recognize His presence, so to speak.
The prophet Yirmiyahu teaches us that in times of trouble and sickness the
Lord appears to us “from afar.” But, nevertheless, He appears to us. The
great Rabbi Menahem Mendel of Kotzk was asked: “Where can one find God?” He
answered in his usual direct fashion: “Wherever one is willing to allow Him
to enter.” The performance of the acts of Torah and goodness, the bending of
our traits and will towards service and concern for others, are the means by
which we will glimpse the Divine presence within ourselves and in our homes
- in health and contentment.
Shabat shalom,
Rabbi Berel Wein
