Reconciliation

“Hashem appeared to him [Avraham] in the plains of Mamre ….” (Bereishis 18:1)

Avraham Avinu was 99 years old at the time of his bris milah and Hashem came to visit him on the third day after the bris. Rashi explains that Avraham had gone to Mamre to seek his counsel concerning the bris milah, and therefore that is where Hashem appeared to him.

The question is asked: What kind of advice did Avraham Avinu need from Mamre? Surely, he wasn’t asking him whether or not he should perform the bris milah. If Hashem commanded Avraham to do any mitzvah he would do so without any question.

The Mishna in Avos (5:3) tells us, “Avraham was tested with ten trials and he withstood them all.…” When Avraham was commanded to leave his home and his birthplace, to go to an unknown destination, Avraham immediately responded. His sole intention was to fulfill the will of Hashem, precluding His promise that He would “make him [Avraham] into a great nation,” as the Torah testifies (12:4), “And Avraham went as Hashem had spoken to him.” Later, when Hashem commanded Avraham to bring his only son “whom you love” as an offering, Avraham rose early in the morning to heed Hashem’s directive.

What crucial question did Avraham Avinu have concerning the bris milah? After all, Hashem told him (17:1), “Walk before Me and be perfect.” The bris was a special covenant with Hashem and affirmed his completeness. What kind of counsel was he seeking from Mamre?

R’ Nissim Yagen explains that Avraham Avinu was not asking Mamre whether or not he should go through with the bris milah. Rather, he was consulting with Mamre to determine what would be the best way to do it in order to make a Kiddush Hashem. Should he do it publicly and invite everyone to join in, or should he do it privately?

Up to this point, Avraham had been disseminating the Name of Hashem, and bringing people under the wings of the Divine Presence, as it says when Avraham left Charan (Bereishis 12:5), “Avram took his wife Sarai … and the souls they made in Charan ….” Rashi explains these were the people whom they had brought closer to Hashem. In those days the people would serve various idols, each his own – those made of wood, or stone, cows, sheep, the sun, the moon, etc. Avraham came and introduced them to Hashem who guides the world, and tens of thousands began to believe in Hashem. Avraham Avinu was afraid that after the bris milah they would regard him differently – as a Jew – and his efforts to teach them about Hashem would no longer be effective.

Mamre advised him not to overthink it. He should make the bris milah a public ceremony because that would generate a major Kiddush Hashem.

Our Sages tell us that Hashem told Avraham that He had commanded him to do the bris milah specifically because it would be a sign that he is a different person. Nevertheless, his uniqueness would not impinge on his effectiveness in bringing others close to Hashem.

Today we live among people who espouse diverse philosophies, outside of the Torah outlook. We are undoubtedly different, but it is, in fact, that very disparity that empowers us to bring people closer to Hashem.

The gaon R’ Menachem Mendel of Linsk was renowned as an ohev Yisroel – he loved all Jewish people. In fact, towards the end of his life he was penning a letter requesting that he should be recognized as such on his monument. However, as he was writing, the pen fell from his hand. He bent down to pick it up and tried to continue writing, but once again the pen fell down. After a few attempts, R’ Menachem Mendel realized that he had been given a Heavenly sign that something was amiss. Although the tzaddik painstakingly delved into his past deeds, he could not recall having caused anyone pain or anguish.

R’ Menachem Mendel convened with his family members and associates to determine whether he had ever distressed or dishonored anyone. All responded negatively. Finally, the gabbai recalled that once a simple man had requested an audience with R’ Menachem Mendel. Since the tzaddik had been extremely busy at the time, the man was unable to meet with the rav. Perhaps it was he who had a grievance with R’ Menachem Mendel.

The tzaddik asked the gabbai to find the man without delay and bring him to his home. Although an intensive search was made, the man could not be found. Many weeks later it was learned that the man they were seeking had moved to an unsavory neighborhood.

The petitioner was finally located, and was immediately taken to R’ Menachem Mendel, who was overjoyed to meet him. The tzaddik begged the man for his forgiveness and sat down to join him at a meal, according him great honor. In turn, the simple man was very appreciative for the tzaddik’s attention and impressed by his solicitude and warmth. Not only did the man pardon the rav, but he was inspired with thoughts of teshuvah, to reconsider the path he had taken.

The tzaddik’s family members were awed by their father’s interactions with the man – going so far as to escort him a considerable distance when he left – and they questioned his actions.

R’ Menachem Mendel cited the words in Yeshayah (66:20), “They will bring all your brethren from all the nations as an offering,” and said the following: This is talking about the people who became assimilated among the nations of the world. The prophet Yeshayahu testifies that they too will be worthy of being an offering to Hashem.

R’ Menachem Mendel continued: It is this offering that I offended, and now I had a second chance to correct my wrongdoing. Should I not honor him?

It is up to us – who perceive the sweetness of Torah, and recognize the great value of every mitzvah – to invite others to learn Torah, to educate them about Yiddishkeit, to teach them mitzvos, and to bring them closer to their Father in Heaven.