Spirituality or Materialism
Parshas Lech Lecha begins: “Hashem said to Avram, ‘Go for yourself from your land, from your birthplace, and from your father’s house to the land that I will show you” (Bereishis 12:1). Rashi explains that “for yourself” means “for your good and pleasure.” The commentators find this difficult because Avraham was called by Hashem “Avraham, My beloved” (Yeshayahu 41:8), for he served Hashem out of love and not in order to receive a reward. Why then did Avraham need to be told that going was for his benefit, and what pleasure and benefit did Avraham derive besides heeding the command of Hashem?
The Slonimer Rebbe, the Nesivos Shalom ZT’L explains that the statement of Hashem to Avram, “Go for yourself from your land” was a lesson in the proper way to serve Hashem and to connect to Him. The first step is “Lech lecha mei’artzecha - separate yourself from earthly matters.” [The word aretz means “land” but also connotes materialism and earthly pleasures.] “To the land that I will show you” means that one must invest all of his love in love for Hashem. The two cannot coexist: it is impossible for a person to be attached to materialism and simultaneously to cleave to spirituality. Therefore Avram was told to go out from his land, his birthplace and his father’s house. This is the meaning of “go for your good and pleasure”: Avram had no other pleasure besides that of cleaving to Hashem and enjoying the glow of the Divine Presence. Hashem was guiding him to achieve these goals. The Chovos HaLevavos teaches us that just as it is impossible to mix fire and water, so too it is impossible to combine worldly pleasures with lofty spiritual enjoyment.
Another lesson we can learn from Avrahan Avinu is that he turned his back on the entire world and rejected idol worship. Avodah zarah still exists in countries like India. This led to a great sheitel crisis about twenty years ago. Some Rabbis decided that sheitels were forbidden because the hair was used for idol worship. For several weeks no women were wearing their sheitels until the matter could be clarified. My Rebbi, Rav Belsky ZT”L, investigated and determined that the hair in question was not forbidden, as it was not actually used for idol worship. In our society there is no idol worship, but there are modern forms of avoda zarah. There are people who worship money, people who worship their car, and people who worship professional athletes or singers. (I hope you have no idea what I am talking about.) In order to disconnect from materialism and modern forms of idol worship, we need to connect with Hashem every day through davening and learning Torah. When we daven we speak to Hashem and when we learn Hashem speaks to us.
It would be greatly beneficial for our alumni to strengthen their connection with our wonderful Yeshivah. The Rosh Yeshivah has suggested a monthly donation, which is an excellent idea. Even better would be a visit, even if just for a few days, to recharge your spiritual batteries. If a visit isn’t possible, consider reaching out by calling your Rebbeim. They will be thrilled to know you remember them and are still committed to spiritual growth.
I want to wish you all brachah and hatzlachah in the new year. May it be a year of besuros tovos and peace in Eretz Yisrael and may we all gather together very soon here in Yerushalayim Ir Hakodesh.
Be’ahavah Rabah
Rav Dyckman
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