Page 184 - BERESHIT

Hashem commands Avraham to leave his homeland and promises great
reward, the blessings of wealth, children, honor, and acclaim. Why would
Avraham Avinu desire such reward? A tzaddik has no desire for self
acclaim. Besides, if there was indeed such great reward being offered,
what was the trial of Avraham to leave home?

The Magen David describes how each Jew has a special mark of
distinction, a Divine spark which radiates their discernable Divine Image.
We say a berachah every day that Hashem did not make us a non-Jew,
omitting our distinction as a Jew. This is because there are some Jews who
unfortunately do not distinguish themselves as Jews, and so it is better not
to institute a berachah which could possibly be made in vain.

The promise to bring recognition and esteem to Avraham Avinu wasn’t
to satisfy his quest for fame. It was a corollary of bringing glory to the