Likkutei Sichos vol. 15, Vayera 3
A. Abraham’s Tent
The Torah tells us that Abraham planted an “eshel” in Beersheba. The sages explain that the “eshel” was actually a waystation where Abraham provided free food to travelers. After the meal, Abraham would ask his guests to bless and thank G‑d for the food. Those who refused were asked to pay for the meal. The threat worked, and everyone ended up thanking G‑d.
The Rebbe asks: What value is there in gratitude to G‑d expressed under compulsion? Is this what it means to publicizeG‑d in the world?
B. Drawing Closer Through Rebuke
The explanation is that there are situations where external pressure reveals a person’s true inner desire.
Example 1: When the spies returned from scouting the land and delivered a negative report, the people were convinced that the locals were stronger than them and asked to return to Egypt. But after Moses told the people that G‑d was angry with them and swore not to bring them into the land, they immediately changed their minds and expressed a desire to enter the land. What changed? If they did not believe in G‑d’s ability to bring them into the land, how would His anger make a difference?
The Tanya explains that the Jewish people are “believers, descendants of believers,” and they always believed in G‑d’s power. Temporarily, however, the “other side” (Sitra Achra) influenced and confused them. When they saw G‑d’s anger, they regained awareness, and their inner faith was revealed.
C. Becoming a Vessel for Blessing
Example 2: An individual came for a private audience with the Rebbe Rashab and requested a blessing. The Rebbe initially said he could not help him. The man left and burst into bitter tears. Hearing the story, the Rebbe’s brother asked the Rebbe to readmit him and bless him. The Rebbe did so, and the blessing was fulfilled.
Explanation: At first, the man’s spiritual state was not suitable; he was not a “vessel” capable of receiving such a great blessing. But when he was refused and broke down in sincere distress, his inner state changed, and only then did he become worthy of G‑d’s blessing.
Now we can understand Abraham’s approach: Any person can come to recognize the Creator through reason and explanation, but when a person is especially hardhearted, a “shake-up” is sometimes needed. Through financial pressure, Abraham broke through the hardness of his guests’ hearts, helping them understand the explanations about the existence of the Creator.
A similar idea is found in another story: The king of Aram sent messengers to Ahab, king of Israel, demanding that he surrender his silver, wives, and children. Ahab accepted the demand. But when the messengers returned and demanded that he hand over the Torah scroll, Ahab firmly refused, even at the cost of going to war with a cruel enemy.
The Rebbe continues: Ahab, was sinful and led others astray. He was not influenced by rebukes or attempts to convince him to repent. But when a gentile king called the Torah “the delight of your eyes” and sought to desecrate it, this shock awakened Ahab’s inner faith, and he was willing to risk his life to protect the sanctity of the Torah.
Message to us: We must follow Abraham’s path and publicize G‑dliness in the world—not only among those close to us, but also to the “passersby.” Even if a mitzvah is performed without full intention, “one mitzvah leads to another,” and ultimately, faith in G‑d will awaken within the person, leading him to full repentance.
