“And I will bless those who bless you and those who curse you, I will
curse.” (12:3)
Question: Why doesn’t the Torah write both in the same order,
i.e., “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you?”
Answer: The Talmud
(Kiddushin 40a) says that G-d gives credit to one who plans to perform a
good deed, even if circumstances
prevent the realization of the plan. However, for a transgression, one is
punished for plans only when they are carried out.
When a person blesses or curses, he first thinks about it and then expresses
verbally what he has in mind. Therefore, G-d is saying to Abram, “I will bless
those who bless you as soon as they plan to bless you, even if they
have not yet blessed you. However, those who curse you will be cursed only
after they actually curse you, but not merely for thinking about the
curse.”
“And he went on his journeys…to the place where his tent had been in the
beginning.” (13:3)
Question: The famed commenter, Rashi, explains this verse,
“That on his return he paid his debts.” Abram was very poor when he started out
on his journey; why would anyone trust a stranger and lend him money?
Answer: The “debts” is referring to are not monetary. During
Abram’s travels, many people asked him questions which he did not answer and he
“owed” them answers.
When Abram started out on his trip, he was very poor. On his itinerary he
would make stops and speak to the people about the greatness of G-d. The people
had never heard of G-d, and many asked Abram the question: “If your G‑d is so
great and good, why doesn’t he relieve your poverty?”
Abram was unable to give the people a satisfying answer. However, on his way
back, after being blessed with riches, he visited the people who previously
questioned him about G-d to “pay” them the answer he owed them.
He told them that his riches were a reward from G-d.
One must have faith that if one will deserve it, G-d will reward them with
all the best.
“Abram said to Lot, ‘Please let there not be any strife between me and
you… for we are brothers (relatives).’” (13:8)
Question: Why did Abram emphasize his kinship with Lot?
Answer: A story is told that a piece of wood once asked a piece
of steel, “Why is it that when you are hammered you make such loud noises, and
when they chop me the noise is not so loud?” The steel answered, “I am hammered
with a hammer made of steel, which is my brother. I scream because it hurts when
your own brother hits you.”
Abram told Lot, “People should always avoid conflicts, especially with
relatives and good friends.”
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