Parshas Chayei Sarah – The Road to Gan Eden

THE ROAD TO GAN EDEN
THE LEAST COMFORTABLE PATH

By Roy S. Neuberger

Recently, my wife and I visited Ma’aras Hamachpaila. Standing before the ancient stone building, we felt the kedusha wash over us. 

“The Patriarch Avraham entered [Ma’ares Hamachpaila]. He smelled the fragrance of Gan Eden. He heard the angels saying, ‘Adam is buried there; Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov are destined for this place.’” (Zohar Chadash, Rus 79b, cited in the Encyclopedia of Biblical Personalities)

“How did Avraham discover Ma’aras Hamachpaila? He was running after a calf, as it is written, ‘Then Avraham ran to the herd.’ (Beraishis 18:7) The calf fled into the cave. Avraham followed it …. Sublime fragrances [wafted] … from that cave.” (Zohar 1:127a; ibid)

Travel to Chevron is difficult. One must pass through hostile neighborhoods; savage faces stare at you. Yet this road leads toGan Eden!

“Hashem banished [Adam] from Gan Eden … and, having driven out the man, He stationed at the east of the Garden of Eden the Cruvim and the flame of the ever-turning sword, to guard the way to the Tree of Life.” (Beraishis 3:23)

The road back to Gan Eden is tough, but we have to know there is a road, and we have to know the road can be traveled, and we have to know that we can travel that road!

“There are many times when one finds himself at a crossroad … when he isn’t sure what would be the will of Hashem Yisborach. [In such a situation], we should learn from Avraham Avinu and choose the path that is least comfortable for us! This way he can be optimistic and certain that he has no … ulterior motives … pushing him to do this. He can rest assured there will be no claim on him why he acted in this way.

“A person must examine himself … to ascertain how he is performing his mitzvos. Is it in order just to ‘get it over with,’ or is it in order to give nachas ruach to his Creator by doing His will? How can this be discerned? When there are obstacles. Does he take … the obstacles [as a rationale] to desist from doing the mitzvah or does he still push onward to perform Hashem’s [will] regardless of what will happen?

“Throughout all the generations, especially since our holy Bais Hamikdosh was destroyed, Bnai Yisroel have experienced grueling situations and predicaments …. What gave them the strength to go on? Their clear emunah. The darkness of Golus requires us to strengthen our faith, as the possuk says, ‘And to have faith in You at night-time….’ (Tehillim 92:3) Avraham Avinu remained totally steadfast in his emunah … even when offering as a korban his very own … son, who was to be the father of all his descendants!” (Rabbi Shlomo Bussu Shlita”h)

The Yetzer Harah tells us we cannot do it. The stronger the Yetzer Hara’s voice, the more mightily we have to battle. This is the sign from the Ribono shel Olam that we are nearing our goal! 

“Blessed are You … G-d of Avraham, G-d of Yitzchak, G-d of Yaakov … Who recalls the kindnesses of the Avos and brings a Redeemer to their children’s children, for His Name’s sake, with love!” (Shemoneh Esreh) May we see it soon in our days!

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Roy Neuberger, author and public speaker, can be reached at roy@2020vision.co.il.

© Copyright 2018 by Roy S. Neuberger