The Power of One

“I multiplied Abraham’s seed, and gave him Isaac.” How is the birth of one son the fulfillment of G-d’s promise to multiply Abraham’s seed?

There are two types of people: One possesses a variety of strengths and abilities, with the potential to achieve a multitude of accomplishments. But his talents lie dormant, untapped. He remains a solitary individual.

Then there is the person who invests his entire being into actualizing his opportunities. Though he may have few natural talents, to him applies the teaching of the Sages: “Toil, and you will discover success.”

When it comes to a “discovery,” there’s no telling how great it will turn out to be; but its greatness far surpasses the efforts and resources invested to find it. So too, the Jewish people – Abraham’s seed, through Isaac – were blessed with the gifts of talent and alacrity that would enable them to impact mankind far beyond the smallness of their numbers.