A thought on פרשת לך לך
"...ve'he'emin ba'HaShem va'yach'shaveha lo tzedaka..." (15:6)"...and Avraham believed in HaShem and (He) (he)
considered it (righteousness) (charity)..."
The meaning of this verse is debated by the Rishonim and is actually a matter of debate between the midrashim and the Zohar. One view is that, because HaShem saw the devout belief of Avraham, He regarded this devotion as a mark of righteousness.The other view says that Avraham's belief in HaShem's promise that he would father a nation led him, Avraham, to feel that HaShem was being charitable towards him, in granting him such a gift. The debate centers on whether the implied word "he" is a reference to him, or a reference to Him. It also centers on whether the word tzedaka maintains it colloquial meaning of "charity" or its alternate meaning of "righteousness." The third facet of the debate, then, is whether tzedaka refers to HaShem ("His charity" as perceived by Avraham) or whether it refers to Avraham ("his righteousness" as viewed by HaShem.)
The Ralbag offers a third view. The Ralbag opines (as does Ibn Ezra) that the meaning of tzedaka in this context is actually "tzedek" which means just and correct. HaShem promised the elderly patriarch a child from whom he would have a descendant nation. Avraham believed HaShem. The basis for his belief was that he had led his life in devotion and immersion in knowing the ways of HaShem.
Hence, because of his belief in HaShem and his total devotion to living by His ways, he accepted entirely that giving him a family was justified. It was the right thing to do. It was just.
Avraham's belief and trust were vivid and palpable to the degree that he knew that his life was fully subject to Divine oversight and attention. When a person lives this way and thinks this way, then being given Divine intervention, protection and beneficence seems entirely justified and proper. Just as he had no doubts about HaShem, he had no doubt about HaShem's word. A promise is a promise and those who are close to Him can expect personal care and love from Him.
The Ralbag's translation of our verse, then, is "and Avraham believed in HaShem and considered His promise precisely the right thing to expect from Him."
Good Shabbos. D Fox
considered it (righteousness) (charity)..."
The meaning of this verse is debated by the Rishonim and is actually a matter of debate between the midrashim and the Zohar. One view is that, because HaShem saw the devout belief of Avraham, He regarded this devotion as a mark of righteousness.The other view says that Avraham's belief in HaShem's promise that he would father a nation led him, Avraham, to feel that HaShem was being charitable towards him, in granting him such a gift. The debate centers on whether the implied word "he" is a reference to him, or a reference to Him. It also centers on whether the word tzedaka maintains it colloquial meaning of "charity" or its alternate meaning of "righteousness." The third facet of the debate, then, is whether tzedaka refers to HaShem ("His charity" as perceived by Avraham) or whether it refers to Avraham ("his righteousness" as viewed by HaShem.)
The Ralbag offers a third view. The Ralbag opines (as does Ibn Ezra) that the meaning of tzedaka in this context is actually "tzedek" which means just and correct. HaShem promised the elderly patriarch a child from whom he would have a descendant nation. Avraham believed HaShem. The basis for his belief was that he had led his life in devotion and immersion in knowing the ways of HaShem.
Hence, because of his belief in HaShem and his total devotion to living by His ways, he accepted entirely that giving him a family was justified. It was the right thing to do. It was just.
Avraham's belief and trust were vivid and palpable to the degree that he knew that his life was fully subject to Divine oversight and attention. When a person lives this way and thinks this way, then being given Divine intervention, protection and beneficence seems entirely justified and proper. Just as he had no doubts about HaShem, he had no doubt about HaShem's word. A promise is a promise and those who are close to Him can expect personal care and love from Him.
The Ralbag's translation of our verse, then, is "and Avraham believed in HaShem and considered His promise precisely the right thing to expect from Him."
Good Shabbos. D Fox
posted by Rabbi Dr. Fox at 11:51 PM
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