1)

What did HaSh-m mean when He said that He 'knew' Avraham'?

1.

Rashi, Moshav Zekenim: He meant that He endeared, or befriended, him 1 - because when a person loves his friend, he familiarizes himself with him and brings him close.

2.

Targum Onkelus 2 and Targum Yonasan: He meant that Avraham's Tzidkus was known, or revealed, to Him, as the Pasuk goes on to explain.

3.

Ramban: It means literally that HaSh-m knew Avraham - because in the realm of HaSh-m, knowing is synonymous with Hashgachah Peratis (personal supervision). 3


1

See Rus (2:1; 3:2).

2

This is according to our text in Targum Onkelus. Rashi asks that according to this, the word "Le'ma'an" is difficult. Refer to 18:19:1.1.

3

HaSh-m constantly watches over Tzadikim personally, as the Pasuk says, "Behold the eyes of HaSh-m are on those who fear Him"(Tehilim 33:18). Indeed, here he says that others are subject to Mikrim - but we cannot say that they are left to nature, as the Ramban at the end of Bo (Ramban to Shemos 13:16) says that everything is Nisim, even for a Yachid, without Teva; if he sins, evil will pursue him...

2)

What is the connection between the first two words of this Pasuk, and the rest of the Pasuk?

1.

Seforno: HaSh-m chose and loved Avraham, and divulged what He was about to do Sedom, because as a result, he would teach his children to do Tzedakah and Mishpat, just as he himself was about to display. 1


1

Refer to 18:17:3:1. Rashi queries this however, in that the word "Le'ma'an" means 'so that,' not 'because.'

3)

Why does the Torah say, 'concerning Avraham' (rather than 'concerning Avraham's family') even though it is referring to an era when he will no longer be alive?

1.

Rashi: We learn from here that if someone leaves behind a righteous son, it is as if he (the deceased father) is still alive.

QUESTIONS ON RASHI

4)

Rashi writes: "If you interpret the verse as does Onkelus, 'I know of him, that he shall command his sons [in the future],' then the word "Le'ma'an" does not fit."Why not?

1.

Gur Aryeh: The word "Le'ma'an" presents a reason; it can mean "because," or, "in order that...." According to Onkelus, the word "Yeda'tiv" means "I know him." 1 Rashi writes that this is difficult to fit into the Pasuk, 'I know of him because that he will command....'


1

Rashi therefore translates, 'I cherish him, because...."

5)

Rashi writes: "All of this [is what Avraham] commands his children, 'Guard the way of HaSh-m, so that He will bring upon Avraham [all the good] that He has spoken of him.'" But perhaps the last phrase is again the words of HaSh-m?

1.

Gur Aryeh: If so, the verse should state (in first person), 'so that I shall bring upon Avraham.'

6)

Rashi writes: "Guard the way of HaSh-m, so that He will bring upon Avraham [all the good...]." But Avraham served HaSh-m out of love, not merely to receive reward?

1.

Gur Aryeh: HaSh-m did not promise Avraham physical blessing, but rather the gift of Eretz Yisrael with its sanctity and Mitzvos, and to be the father of a great nation that would keep all the Mitzvos. These rewards would bring closeness to HaSh-m; this was Avraham's goal.

7)

Rashi writes: "We derive that whoever leaves a righteous son is as if he did not die."Why is this so?

1.

Gur Aryeh: The righteous are called living even in death. If the son is righteous, the father is also called living, for any offspring is always in kind. 1


1

Gur Aryeh adds - The Midrash writes more specifically, "one who has a son who toils in Torah, it is as if he did not die."

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