In last week’s Parsha, we find that Lot accomplished something that even Avraham Avinu could not accomplish. Although Avraham davened for each one of the five cities to be saved, Hashem advised him that there was an insufficient number of Tzadikim in any city for the city to be saved. However, we find that Lot requested that he be saved in the city of Tzoar--and he was, together with the entire city! How was Lot, the recalcitrant nephew, was able to save a city that his incomparable Rebbe could not?

HaRav Yecheskel Levenstein, Z’tl, derives two essential lessons from this. First, we see how much more effective it is for the affected person to daven for himself than for a third party (no matter how great) to daven for him. Here, Lot was asking for his own life. No matter how genuine and sincere the entireties of Avraham Avinu were, nothing can match the depths of someone pleading for his own life. As we indicated from the Derech Hashem yesterday, no one can act on your behalf more than you and you alone. Of course, one should always ask a Talmid Chacham to daven for him, but this cannot replace or substitute for one davening for himself.

The second great lesson teaches us the extent of HaKoras HaTov that one must demonstrate if someone has even attempted to do good towards them. Lot showed hospitality to the Malochim (who really didn’t need it), and their expression of HaKoras HaTov went to the degree of saving an entire city in order to save Lot. Similarly, HaRav Daniel of Kelm, Z’tl, HY’D, the last Rosh Yeshiva of Kelm, explained that Elisha HaNavi, in last week’s Haftora, was actually bound by his Hakoras HaTov to the Isha HaShunamis, to go to the extent of bringing her son back to the living--the greatest of miracles possible.

Thus, within one event, we learn vital lessons both on a Bein Odom L’Makom, and a Bein Odom L’Chaveiro, level. In Bein Odom L’Makom--establish your own personal relationship with Hashem in Tefillah because no one can daven better for yourself than you. Work on it, because no one can as you can. On a Bein Odom L’Chaveiro level, make sure that you constantly and consistently demonstrate your HaKoras HaTov for the many kindnesses you receive from those around you.

Special Note: The Rambam teaches in the last Chapter of Hilchos Teshuva that Avraham Avinu intensely felt Hashem’s presence wherever he was and wherever he traveled. We suggest that it is certainly within our ability to "touch" our Forefather in this respect daily.

At least several times a day, one should go out of his way to express his sense of the "Hand of G-d" in what has just occurred, what he has just heard, or the amazing interplay or turn of events he has experienced. This expression may take the form of a "Baruch Hashem!", "Thank You, Hashem!", "I love You, Hashem!", or "What Hashgacha Pratis!" or the like.

Another suggestion would be to bring Hashem into whatever you are doing at that moment--even into the simple and mundane. For instance, while sitting at your desk or table (whether or not you are actually slouching), from time to time throughout the day you should make the effort to sit up straight based upon the recognition that you are in Hashem’s presence. In a similar vein, it is recorded that when HaRav Moshe Feinstein, Z’tl, davened the Shemone Esrei every day he did not "shuckle" or sway. He explained that once, while being questioned by the communists, he was forced to stand at attention for hours. He understood that this was truly a life-long lesson and that he should also "stand at attention" while speaking to Hashem.

The Netziv explains that the amount of Hashgacha Pratis that one receives is actually commensurate with one’s feeling of Hashgacha Pratis in his life. Our relationship to Avraham Avinu should go beyond our mentioning his name several times a day. We should feel that we are not only "Hebrews" by name, but also by purpose!

Additional Note: We understand that a Yeshiva in Yerushalayim instructed its students to make a list of items to be thankful for in Modim. In addition, every day, they were to add something new to the list and have specific Kavannah to thank Hashem for it in Modim. This seems like something that each and every one of us should do.

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Hakhel MIS