Page 37 - HaMizrachi #33 Sukkot 2021 USA

Our
Ushpizi

avraham

Eyes to See

Rabbi Judah Mischel

yes are the windows to the running to serve them – he was con- with rachmanut – mercy – seeing an
soul. “G-d appeared to Avra- tinuing it and expanding it. Directing older man with unfulfilled dreams,
ham Avinu… he lifted his eyes his efforts and attention to the needs suffering from poverty. He saw a Yid
Eand saw, and behold, three of others in such a moment, Avraham who had good intentions and wanted
men were standing beside him, and Avinu proved he was ready to transmit to teach Torah – but had difficulty
he saw and he ran toward them… he the values of chesed and generosity to controlling his temper. Looking around
prostrated himself to the ground and his descendants. the decrepit cheder, he appreciated the
said: ‘Adonai, My masters, if only I have Orphaned from his parents as a young sacrifice being made for Torah study.
found favor in your eyes, please do not child, the Baal Shem Tov was drawn When the children fought, he saw their
pass on from beside your servant’” to the outdoors, where alone with passion and energy, and he focused on
(Bereishit 18:1–3).
Hashem, he found comfort and peace their potential.
After having circumcised himself as in the forest. The tradition passed on among the Baal
a man of 100 years old, on the third Once, little Yisrael ran away to the Shem Tov’s students is that Reb Yisra-
and most painful day post-op, Avra- woods because he could not bear the el’s mysterious encounter in the forest
ham Avinu had every reason to be cheder anymore. The dingy hovel was that day was with Avraham Avinu.
resting and recuperating. Yet in his filthy, and the moody melamed was From then on, he had einayim lirot, “eyes
yearning for the opportunity to serve always screaming. The children were to see,” and that transformative expe-
others, he waited outside his tent at always fighting. His father, Rebbe rience led him to embark on his life’s
the crossroads scanning the horizon Eliezer’s parting words to “love every mission to restore dignity, honor and
for potential guests to whom he could Jew with all your heart and soul, no
offer respite, food and drink. matter who he is,” rang in his ears. He self-respect to a forlorn nation.
Avraham calls the travelers by an hon- desperately wanted to love everyone One need not stand outside a tent
orific, “Adonai.” Rashi, at first, gives us but was struggling. When he came to awaiting passers-by or experience a
the simple interpretation: Avraham the forest, Yisrael davened and cried mystical revelation to attain “eyes to
was showing the travelers deep respect. for salvation. A little boy, alone in the see.” When we look to the essence of
However, Rashi’s second interpretation world... another, sweep off the layer of dust
is that the appellation is the Holy Name An elderly man suddenly appeared and and look past the outer facade to reveal
of Hashem! In the midst of prayer, deep called the child by name. “Yisrael,” he beauty and G-dliness in every person
in d’veykut, Avraham did not interrupt said, “I have come to give you a bless- we meet – we are seeing with soulful
his davening. Noticing and calling out ing.” “What do you mean?” asked the eyes and living the path of Avraham
to the needy travelers was a natural startled Yisrael, “Who are you?” The old Avinu.
expression of his connectedness to man only said, “May you have einayim  Adapted from Rabbi Mischel’s new book,
Hashem – and he called G-d’s name lirot, eyes to see.” Yisrael wanted to find ‘Baderech: Along the Path of Teshuvah’
through them. out who he was and what he meant, but (Mosaica Press, 2021).
the elderly Yid had disappeared.
When Avraham “lifted his eyes” and
noticed them approaching, he saw Later that day, Yisrael made his way Rabbi Judah Mischel and his wife, Ora, live
beyond their exterior, beneath the back to cheder. He was greeted by his in Ramat Beit Shemesh with their family. A member of
dust of the road and that of their idol- teacher’s shouts, livid that Yisrael He is the Executive Director of Camp HASC, the Mizrachi
atrous ways and recognized the Divine had cut school. Now, however, things Mashpia of OU-NCSY, and founder of Tzama Speakers Bureau
image within his guests. Avraham was looked different: The teacher was still Nafshi, an organization dedicated to Jewish mizrachi.org/
not interrupting his Avodat Hashem in screaming, but Yisrael looked at him education. speakers

| 37