In this week's Torah reading, after Abraham's defeat of the four kings, G‑d assures him, "Don't be afraid…your reward is very great". (Gen. 15:1) Rashi explains that Abraham was concerned that he had received all of his reward for his righteousness, and G‑d was allaying these fears. This seems puzzling, since it is known that Abraham's divine service was totally selfless, only for the sake of Heaven. One very famous example was Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac, his only son. If Abraham was so selfless, why did G‑d need to assure Abraham of his reward?
There is a similar comment at the beginning of the parasha, when G‑d told Abraham to move to Israel, saying that Abraham's name would be made great. (Gen. 12:2) Abraham had said of himself he was 'dust and ashes' (Gen. 18:27), so why would someone so humble need to be aggrandized? And if he did not need it, why did G‑d do it?
Because of Abraham's immense humility, he considered himself only a tool for performing G‑d's will….The Lubavitcher Rebbe answers that, because of Abraham's immense humility, he considered himself only a tool for performing G‑d's will. His life's work was teaching G‑d's Oneness to the world. Any honor given to him personally, Abraham automatically attributed to G‑d and credited himself with nothing. Since even the mention of Abraham went hand-in-hand with recognition of G‑d, when G‑d said he would make Abraham's name great, it was understood that through Abraham's fame, G‑d was being made great.
This also explains Abraham's concern over his reward. He was not worried about his reward for personal reasons, but rather for sake of "public opinion". If he was doing well it would be a glorification of G‑d. His desire was that people in the world would also understand that serving G‑d was not only the way of truth but would also benefit them. Therefore, Abraham was concerned that he had received all of his reward and he therefore would no longer merit riches and honor. He worried that people would hear of his newfound poverty and shame and interpret it to mean that belief in G‑d would be to their physical detriment-that G‑d could not grant material goodness. Therefore, G‑d assured him "…your reward is great."
When we focus on the selfless aspect of our own behavior, then our children also will integrate this into their lives….From the above, we understand that Abraham was a great man. What can the rest of us, not yet on his level learn from this? The Sages of the Talmud have taught us that "From doing things 'not for the sake of Heaven', one will come to do them 'for the sake of Heaven'"(Pesachim 50b). Somewhere hidden within our selfish motives, all of us have the proper selfless ones. When a person does positive things, whether helping a neighbor or studying Torah, for some personal benefit, this is only a reflection of the needs of the body. Simultaneously, deep down, the soul wants the reward for G‑d's sake so the world will see that serving Him has auxiliary benefits.
When we understand our mixed motivation, we do not have to be put off because of our apparent need for a reward. Rather we have to force ourselves to see past the surface and focus on the soul's positive side. We thereby fulfill the Talmudic dictum, that doing things not for the sake of Heaven will bring us to doing things for the sake of Heaven.
There is a comparable lesson here in how to raise our children. Parents are often disappointed because they cannot convey to their children the values they see as important. As long as we see ourselves as being motivated for personal reward, no matter what we tell our children, that will be their starting point. But when we focus on the selfless aspect of our own behavior, then our children also will integrate this into their lives.
Shabbat Shalom, Shaul
Copyright 2003 by KabbalaOnline.org, a project of Ascent of Safed (//ascentofsafed.com). All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this work or portions thereof, in any form, unless with permission, in writing, from Kabbala Online.
Start a Discussion