~ One Hundred Words on the Parsha – Va’arah

וארא אל אברהם אל יצחק ואל יעקב

“And I appeared to אברהם, to יצחק and to יעקב”. Rashi comments “and I appeared” to the אבות.

The question that has been asked is that this week’s Daf says that only three are considered אבות – אברהם, יצחק, יעקב. Why does Rashi tell us the אבות already said אל אברהם אל יצחק ואל יעקב?

The Chasam Sofer answers that אבות in this context does not mean forefathers. Rather, it means those who want (as in the Posuk “ לא אבה ליבמי“). In other words, someone who wants to reach the high level where he can be זוכה to have ה' appear to him.

Only B’Simcha Parshas Va’arah

Moshe was not able to hit the ground by כנים מכת because he had הכרת הטוב to the earth for hiding the body of the מצרי that Moshe killed. A common question is, why is this necessary? The earth has no feelings and doesn’t appreciate Moshe’s הכרת הטוב. In addition, the earth did not choice to do this favor for Moshe.

One answer can be that a person who doesn’t keep track and act appropriately when receiving a favor, even when it’s not necessary, will continue to act without הכרת הטוב toward people who do him favors when it is appropriate to be מכיר טוב. One should be ready to be מכיר טוב to those who benefit him.