BS’D
Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Miriam bat Yocheved. May Hashem bless her with a complete healing, b’riut hanefesh v’b’riut haguf among all of Klal Yisrael who are sick and suffering, b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen.
The opening verse of Vayeira is “and Hashem appeared before Avraham”. Hashem ‘revealed’ His presence in a most profound and intimate way. Appearing is seeing and therefore this parsha teaches us how we can also merit to ‘see’ Hashem.
Chazal teach that yirah and re’eiya share the same letters, thus indicating similarity. Yirah implies true sight, a clear vision of reality, being able to see only truth. How so? Truly seeing things as they really are forces a person to beware of his actions; he knows he is being watched and there are consequences to all that he does. Therefore yirah motivates a person to discipline and restrain his desires; hence the passuk “Reishis Chochmah Yirat Hashem”. A wise person first has yirat Shamayim and knows there is an eye that sees and ear that hears and everything is recorded for the Day of Judgment.
Upon first look this may appear as a dreadful way of living, however upon closer look Heavenly fear actually leads to joy. Think of it – you know that you are constantly being watched; isn’t that a precious thought. That is the essence of joy, knowing you are never alone and whatever you do matters to the Supreme Authority of existence. Does that not invoke happiness?
Unfortunately many of us are oblivious of this idea. We need to strengthen our emuna and yirah, our bond to the truth. As our yirat Shamayim is fortified so too our ability to perceive Hashem’s presence; as we will be able to see ourselves standing in front of Melech Malchei HaMelachim HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
