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Yaakov Ben Behora
Many commentaries (including the Netziv) explain that Avraham was saying that he did not rely on the morality of the people of G’rar, because it was not based on proper values. When social justice is based on humanistic conviction to do the right thing, but is not rooted in fear of Heaven, it is easily overcome by the Yetzer Hara (Evil Inclination). While accepting this premise, one cannot help but notice that there are religious people who succumb to their inclinations and sin and there are irreligious people who overcome theirs, at least in regard to matters in which they believe. Would Avimelech have accepted a claim that because he did not share Avraham’s belief in Elokim can be explained in a related but slightly different way than one might think. In several places in Sefer Vayikra, the Torah concludes a commandment with the phrase, "v’yareita mei’Elokecha," you shall fear your G-d." Rashi explains several times (see 19:14) that this is a warning to one who might violate a mitzva with some sort of excuse. "I gave bad advice, but I thought it was the best thing for him." "I didn’t stand up for the sage, because I didn’t see him." The Torah tells us that one should fear Hashem, who knows what his true intentions are.
After understanding this phrase, the following explanation of Avraham’s claim becomes plausible. Avimelech asked Avraham: "What did you see that you did this thing?" (Bereishit 20:10). Did you ever see my people kill someone to steal his property or take his wife? Apparently, Avraham had to admit that he did not see it. But, said Avraham, although I did not see senseless murder, maybe Hashem did. Maybe there were executions of criminals who really were killed on trumped up charges for malicious reasons. And maybe Sarah’s husband would be the next on line. Therefore, although outwardly, G’rar was a just society, Avraham had reason to fear that it was just missing yirat Elokim, and murders and sins were committed secretly and/or with a variety of "justifications."
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Eretz Yisrael in Halacha and in Sanctity – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 137
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Moreshet Shaul Hashem Is your Shadow – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 420 – an address from 1941
P'ninat Mishpat A Non-Contractor in Changing Times – part I
(based on ruling 85128 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Moreshet Shaul Our King on Rosh Hashana, Our Father on Yom Kippur.
Based on Aroch Siach, p. 221 (Rav Shaul Yisraeli)
P'ninat Mishpat A Non-Contractor in Changing Times – part II
(based on ruling 85128 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Moreshet Shaul Hashem Is your Shadow – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 420 – an address from 1941
Parashat Hashavua Happiness for the Right Reasons
[With painful longing, we share these divrei Torah from our co-Rosh Kollel for close to 40 years, Harav Moshe Ehrenreich zt”l.]
