Hashem Appears to Abraham

The beginning and end of this week’s Parsha, has a form of the word, “Vayeira,” that Hashem appeared. The first appearance of the word is in connection with Hashem’s appearing before Avraham, to check on his recovery from circumcision.

The second form of the word came after the “Binding of Yirzchak.” Avraham named the place, “Hashem Yir’eh,” the place where He again appeared to him.

We see that the life of our first patriarch was defined by a spiritual climb, that gave him greater and greater attachment to the Creator. It was his task to teach the world about the One true G-d.

In the book, “Duties of the Heart,” Rabbeinu Bachye expands this idea. In a chapter on the subject of the unity of G-d, he explains that the harmony of the world in nature, is a display of the Creator’s perfect government. We can look at nature and see the perfect, steady, and consistent synchronization of how everything works together.

This harmony is a proof that Hashem is One and only One. He even quotes Aristotle by saying, “It is not good when there are many heads, but only one head.”

This was the realization made by Avraham Avinu as he merited having Hashem “appear to him.” He clearly understood that the peacefulness of the entire world depended on the acknowledgement that we are beholden to the “King of Kings.” He runs the world and it is our duty to serve Him and follow His commandments. Hashem’s appearances to Avraham, allowed him to fulfill his mission with great enthusiasm and success.