Making Time Count,Rabbi Yakov Horowitz

The Torah introduces the drama, surrounding the search of a wife for Yitzchak, by noting that Avraham was "advanced in his years," (Bereshis 24:1). Many commentaries are puzzled by the Torah's repetition of this fact. After all, the advanced age of Avraham and Sarah received such prominent attention during the period surrounding the birth of Yitzchak. If Avraham was "advanced in his years," - 100 years old - when his son was born, surely he was aged as Yitzchak was when seeking a mate 40 years later.

The Ramban offers a pragmatic answer to this question. He suggests that the Torah is presenting an explanation for Avraham's insistence that Eliezer swear to him that he will not take a wife for Yitzchak from the women of Canaan.

Why would Eliezer need to swear if Avraham could simply reject the proposed bride? Therefore, the Torah informs us that Avraham was very advanced in his years and was concerned that he might not be alive at the time of Eliezer's return. This would shed light on the need for the binding power of Eliezer's oath.

The Kli Yakar offers two addition explanations for the repetition of the information regarding the advanced age of Avraham.

First he notes that, at the time of Yitzchak's birth, the Torah informed us that Avraham and Sarah were miraculously transformed to the vigor of their youth, which enabled them to bring Yitzchak to this world. It would, therefore, stand to reason that the Torah would inform us at this point that Avraham reverted back to his aged state and was eager to see Yitzchak married before he died.

The Kli Yakar offers a second explanation, one that carries a powerful message for us all.

The Gift Of Time

People who lead materialistic lives, he explains, prefer the years of their youth when their physical capacities are at their strength. As they age, and the gift of youth slowly fades, they become despondent as they can no longer indulge in their physical pursuits with the same vigor and passion.

The exact opposite occurs with spiritual people. As they age and their strength ebbs, they are freed from the distractions of their physical bodies and able to concentrate their thoughts on matters of the soul. For them, age is a blessing as they utilize their accumulated wisdom to serve Hashem.

An Unobstructed View

A young boy once approached his slightly older sister with a question about Hashem (God). "Sarah, can anybody ever really see Hashem?" he asked. Busy with other things, Sarah curtly replied: "No, of course not, silly. God is so far up in Heaven that nobody can see him."

Time passed, but his question still lingered so he approached his mother: "Mommy, can anybody ever really see Hashem?" "No, not really," she gently said. "Hashem is a Ruach, a spirit. He is everywhere, but we can never really see him."

Somewhat satisfied, but still wondering, the youngster moved on. Not long afterwards, on a beautiful late summer afternoon, the boy took a walk with his pious elderly grandfather. They were having a great time together - it had been an ideal, cloudless day, with a clear, unobstructed view of the western horizon. The sun was beginning to set with unusual splendor as the day ended. Just then, the old man stopped walking and turned his full attention to the exquisite beauty unfolding before him.

On seeing the face of his grandfather reflecting such deep peace and contentment as he gazed into the magnificent ever-changing hues of sunset, the little child thought for a moment and finally spoke hesitatingly: "Zeidy, I wasn't going to ask anybody else, but I wonder if you can tell me the answer to something I've been wondering about for a long time. Can anybody ever really see Hashem?"

The old man did not even turn his head. A long moment slipped by before he finally answered. "My boy," he quietly said. "It's getting so I can't see anything else."

Our grandfather Avraham was in a similar state of mind. The Torah tells us that he was "ba
ba'yamim," (24:1)," advanced in his years - but still growing (ba literally means coming, denoting forward movement).

Avraham, at the age of 140, was appreciating the gift of old age - and basking in the unobstructed view of Hashem's presence.

Best wishes for a Gutten Shabbos.

You can now listen to Rabbi Horowitz's weekly "People Helping People" call-in parenting radio program, by tuning in to 620 AM in the NYC area, streaming it live on www.talklinecommunications.com, or by calling in during the radio program to 206-424-7331. The radio program runs on Thursday evenings from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. EST. You can submit questions to be addressed on the program in advance by emailing rabbihorowitz@rabbihorowitz.comand audio files of all programs are posted on his website.

Read Comments (1)

Making Time Count , Rabbi Yakov Horowitz

wow! thank you Rabbi Horowitz
Date 09:11, 11-30, 08

I love the line where the grandfather answers the boy about seeing Hashem:"..it's getting so i can't see anything else." it seems to be the most beautiful view of all! When someone sees Hashem in every aspect of his life, than his life will look like Hashem: Perfect! :)