Successful Chesed

Nov 10th, 2009 by Rabbi Simcha Weinberg in Portion of the Week

1 Comment

Chesed

Eliezer rose to new heights when he accepted his mission. (See An Appreciation of Eliezer) He was lifted into a new reality and was able to travel long distances in just moments. He tasted his own experience of the Infinite, not as an observer of Abraham, but as himself. He knew that God was guiding him. Abraham had promised that an angel would assist him in fulfilling his mission. Yet, he prayed for God’s help, and, even more remarkably, used his own judgment rather than simply rely on his special help.

Eliezer determined on his own that the proper wife for Isaac would practice Chesed – kindness – almost equal to Abraham’s. “With her I will know that you did kindness with my master Abraham.”

Eliezer determined that there was only one thing that could prove God’s kindness to his master. Abraham was wealthy, powerful, honored, and had a son when he was 100 years old. None of that would convince Eliezer that God had done kindness to Abraham.

He decided for which qualities to look and he decided that his success would be the only absolute proof of God’s kindness. His magical journey was not enough, nor was the presence of an angel at his side. How did Eliezer know?

He was convinced that Chesed can be qualified as successful only if it led to more Chesed in the future. Eliezer determined that all of God’s Chesed to Abraham could only be determined as true if Eliezer succeeded in finding a woman who would ensure that Chesed would continue as a primary quality of this family and nation.

We often feel good after performing a kindness. Eliezer reminds us to hesitate before rejoicing in our success: “Wait and see,” says Eliezer, “if your Chesed leads to more. Only then will you know that your kindness was successful.”

Author Info:
Learn & discover the Divine prophecies with Rabbi Simcha Weinberg from the holy Torah, Jewish Law, Mysticism, Kabbalah and Jewish Prophecies. The Foundation Stone™ is the ultimate resource for Jews, Judaism, Jewish Education, Jewish Spirituality & the holy Torah.

• 

1 Comment

• moshe stepansky Nov 11, 2009 at 6:18 pm

  Eliezer thought he’d outsmarted G-d.

  He, Eliezer, determined the criteria Yitzchak’s soulmate would meet. In this moment, the great lesson from Avraham, that in service ‘IT’S NOT ABOUT ME’ had gotten lost.

  Everything was happening in a whirlwind. No sooner has Eliezer tested G-d by making his own criteria=>this fine beautiful girl shows up. Not only that, but she exemplifies Eliezer’s ‘dream’ candidate for Yitzchak.

  The g’mara includes Eliezer in the rarified company of those who set conditions improperly, yet were answered properly. Who could have decisively set criteria such as Eliezer while ignoring the 1 basic absolute underlying condition Avraham set-that she be from his family?As Chessed-ly inclined as this fine young woman was, she could have been disqualified for her nonfamily ties!!

  Indeed, Eliezer wakes up to this quandary in 24;23,after she begins watering the camels==>RaSH”I focuses on this, Eliezer is almost boxed into a corner, and the pasuk adds”makharish loda’at hahitzli’akh HaShem darco, im lo”==> silenced, wondering whether G-d has made his trip successful or not.

  Eliezer becomes an ‘Ish’ at this point, when he realizes that it is ONLY G-d’s intervention that will allow him to succeed in his mission. And this is truly HaShem’s Chessed.

  Perhaps Eliezer’s real mission isn’t just bringing back Yitchak’s soulmate. Maybe his REAL mission is the Kiddush HaShem till the end of time (“yafah seekhatam shel avdei avot mitorahtam shel banim”) of recognizing and admitting that G-D IS RUNNING THE WORLD.

  R’ Shlomo would say at weddings “l’Oseh niflao’ot g’dolot l’vado – ci l’olam khasdo” = could anyone imagine 2 people coming together from the ends of the world, as soulmates? Surely, it is the Hand of G-d -Who showers the world with His everlasting kindness!

  I bless all who are seeking their soulmates to find them, even if they are at the ends of the earth =Don’t give up ! After all, G-d decreed “lo tov hehyot ha’odom l’vado, e’ehseh lo eizer c’negdo” the odom, alone,-is not good- I will make him a helpmeet. G-d is taking all the l’vados(the lonelies) and making nifla’ot g’dolot, great wonders.