Lech Lcha 5786 | Rav Zvi Davidson

🎬 Watch this shiur on YouTube AI-Generated Summary (AI can be inaccurate. Check important information): In Parashat Lech Lecha, commentators debate why Avraham built an altar upon reaching the land, with Rashi explaining it was an expression of gratitude for the promises of children and the land, while the Ramban asserts it was to celebrate Hashem openly revealing Himself for the first time. The shiur harmonizes these views by explaining that tangible blessings are not in conflict with spiritual revelation, but rather serve as the essential vehicle through which we recognize Hashem's direct presence and divine providence in our lives. Ultimately, Avraham embraced both aspects by celebrating the promises of land and descendants, while using that experiential joy as a springboard to connect with Hashem's presence. 1. Building the mizbe'ach — Arriving near Shechem in Eretz Yisrael, Avraham Avinu built a mizbe'ach to express his deep hakarat hatov to Hashem. 2. Rashi's explanation — Rashi explains that Avraham Avinu built the mizbe'ach out of joy and hakarat hatov for the fulfilled promises of receiving Eretz Yisrael and having children. 3. The Ramban's interpretation — The Ramban and the Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh explain that the mizbe'ach was built because Hashem openly revealed Himself to Avram for the first time. 4. Primacy of Shechinah — According to the Ramban, the promises of land and children were secondary to the joy of entering the presence of the Shechinah. 5. Rashi's textual defense — In Rashi's view, the pasuk mentions Hashem revealing Himself merely to identify to Whom the mizbe'ach was dedicated, rather than the reason for building it. 6. Aligning both views — People experience Hashem through hashgachah pratit and berachot, using tangible physical blessings as a springboard to feel His divine presence. 7. Avraham's synthesis — Avraham Avinu had hakarat hatov for children and the land, but primarily rejoiced that these blessings served as the means for Hashem to reveal His Shechinah. 8. A contemporary parallel — When reunited with his son from captivity, a father proclaimed "Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad," uniting the experiential joy of family with an immediate recognition of Hashem.