{"id":27359,"date":"2024-05-08T22:21:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-09T01:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tuviaserber.com\/?p=27359"},"modified":"2024-12-14T22:58:56","modified_gmt":"2024-12-15T01:58:56","slug":"father-of-many-5744","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tuviaserber.com\/en\/father-of-many-5744\/","title":{"rendered":"Father of Many (5744)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Genesis 17: 4<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018As for Me, behold, My covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be the father of a multitude of nations.<\/td> <\/td>\u05d0\u05b2\u05e0\u05b4\u0595\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b4\u05e0\u05b5\u05bc\u05a5\u05d4 \u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea\u05b4\u0596\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b4\u05ea\u05b8\u05bc\u0591\u05da\u05b0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05b4\u0595\u05d9\u05ea\u05b8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u0596\u05d1 \u05d4\u05b2\u05de\u05a5\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05d2\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05d9\u05b4\u05bd\u05dd<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Relationship Between G-d\u2019s Covenant with Abraham and His Role as the Father of Many Nations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see from the wording of the verse that the fact of Abraham being \u201cfather of a multitude of nations\u201d depends on the covenant G-d made with him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s the explanation of the relationship between these two facts?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To understand this, we need to analyze the spiritual meaning of the covenant G-d made with Abraham.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

G-d made a Covenant with Abraham through circumcision. This, in a physical way, means to reveal something that was covered. The same happens spiritually: there\u2019s a Divine energy that was \u201ccovered\u201d and, through Abraham\u2019s circumcision it became \u201cuncovered\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Divine energy refers to G-d\u2019s kindness. We find that the people of the generations before Abraham lived long lives. This represents, as our sages tell us, that they lived from G-d\u2019s kindness. However, this kindness was indiscriminately available to everyone, even those behaving in a bad way. This is the meaning of the \u201ccovering\u201d of the Divine energy: nobody recognized that G-d was the source of their well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When G-d told Abraham to circumcise, the fact that the source of this energy was G-d became \u201cuncovered\u201d and, therefore, only available to those who deserved it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is one explanation of the relationship between the covenant and being father to a multitude of nations: before the covenant Abraham was not the father (that means ruler) upon many nations because they didn\u2019t need it nor wanted it.  We see this reflected in the story of Noah and the Great Flood. Despite that this Divine energy was widely available, humanity largely spurned it, descending into violence and depravity. Even Noah, known for his righteousness and close relationship with G-d, as we read in Genesis 6:9<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are the generations of Noah. Noah was in his generations a man righteous and whole-hearted; Noah walked with G-D.<\/td> <\/td>\u05d0\u05b5\u059a\u05dc\u05b6\u05bc\u05d4 \u05ea\u05bc\u05bd\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc\u05b0\u05d3\u05b9\u05a3\u05ea \u05e0\u05b9\u0594\u05d7\u05b7 \u05e0\u05b9\u0597\u05d7\u05b7 \u05d0\u05b4\u05a5\u05d9\u05e9\u05c1 \u05e6\u05b7\u05d3\u05b4\u05bc\u059b\u05d9\u05e7 \u05ea\u05b8\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05a5\u05d9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05b8\u0596\u05d4 \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05d3\u05b9\u05bd\u05e8\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u0591\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05be\u05d4\u05b8\u05bd\u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05e7\u0596\u05d9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05dc\u05b6\u05bc\u05da\u05b0\u05be\u05e0\u05b9\u05bd\u05d7\u05b7:<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

failed to intercede on behalf of his generation and did not ask G-d for His kindness for his generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the covenant, Abraham became the conduit through which G-d\u2019s kindness was revealed on the earth. Thus, he became the father (ruler) over a multitude of nations. We see this reflected in the story of Abraham, who boldly conversed with G-d regarding the impending judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah advocating fervently for mercy. Abraham\u2019s actions demonstrate a profound understanding of how G-d intends His grace to be applied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This also explains why the people after Abraham\u2019s circumcision lived shorter lives. Abraham became the role model for goodness in the world and only those emulating him (to a certain degree) actually benefited from G-d\u2019s kindness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another explanation of this relationship refers to Abraham being the father of all converts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As explained, before Abraham\u2019s circumcision all humanity could benefit from G-d\u2019s kindness regardless of their behavior. This is the reason why we don\u2019t find converts before Abraham\u2019s circumcision. Nobody had a reason and the will to convert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after Abraham\u2019s circumcision, there was a descent in humanity\u2019s capability to benefit from G-d\u2019s kindness. Chassidism teaches that every descent has to be for a later ascent, even to a higher level than before the descent. What\u2019s the ascent for humanity generated by Abraham\u2019s circumcision? The idea of conversion and Noahides. That\u2019s why we find people with a reason and the will to convert nowadays or to become a Noahide[1]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Shift from Universal to Specific Grace<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To further explain this second idea in the relationship between the Covenant and being \u201cfather to a multitude of nations\u201d, we can dwell on the fact that G-d told Abraham in Genesis 17:19-21<\/a> that his true descendant would be that this only applies to Isaac.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


<\/strong>And G-D said: \u2018Nay, but Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son; and thou shalt call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his seed after him.<\/td>		 <\/td>\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b9\u05bc\u05a3\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u0597\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05d1\u05b8\u05dc\u0599 \u05e9\u05b8\u05c2\u05e8\u05b8\u05a3\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05ea\u05b0\u05bc\u05da\u05b8\u0597 \u05d9\u05b9\u05dc\u05b6\u05a4\u05d3\u05b6\u05ea \u05dc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8\u0599 \u05d1\u05b5\u05bc\u0594\u05df \u05d5\u05b0\u05e7\u05b8\u05e8\u05b8\u05a5\u05d0\u05ea\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05be\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05de\u0596\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u0591\u05e7 \u05d5\u05b7\u05bd\u05d4\u05b2\u05e7\u05b4\u05bd\u05de\u05b9\u05ea\u05b4\u05a8\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05be\u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea\u05b4\u05a5\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b4\u05ea\u05bc\u059b\u05d5\u05b9 \u05dc\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b4\u05a5\u05d9\u05ea \u05e2\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc\u05b8\u0596\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05d6\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05a5\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d0\u05b7\u05bd\u05d7\u05b2\u05e8\u05b8\u05bd\u05d9\u05d5<\/td><\/tr>
And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee; behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.<\/td> <\/td>\u05d5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05de\u05b8\u05e2\u05b5\u05d0\u05dc\u0598 \u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05de\u05b7\u05e2\u05b0\u05ea\u05b4\u05bc\u0592\u05d9\u05da\u05b8\u0592 \u05d4\u05b4\u05e0\u05b5\u05bc\u05a3\u05d4 | \u05d1\u05b5\u05bc\u05e8\u05b7\u05a3\u05db\u05b0\u05ea\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u0597\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05e4\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9\u05ea\u05b4\u05a5\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u059b\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d1\u05b5\u05bc\u05d9\u05ea\u05b4\u05a5\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u0596\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d1\u05b4\u05bc\u05de\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u05a3\u05d3 \u05de\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u0591\u05d3 \u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05e0\u05b5\u05bd\u05d9\u05dd\u05be\u05e2\u05b8\u05e9\u05b8\u05c2\u05a4\u05e8 \u05e0\u05b0\u05e9\u05b4\u05c2\u05d9\u05d0\u05b4\u05dd\u0599 \u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc\u05b4\u0594\u05d9\u05d3 \u05d5\u05bc\u05e0\u05b0\u05ea\u05b7\u05ea\u05b4\u05bc\u0596\u05d9\u05d5 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d2\u05a5\u05d5\u05b9\u05d9 \u05d2\u05b8\u05bc\u05d3\u05bd\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc<\/td><\/tr>
But My covenant will I establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.\u2019<\/td> <\/td>\u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05be\u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea\u05b4\u0596\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b8\u05e7\u05b4\u05a3\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05be\u05d9\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u0591\u05e7 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05e8\u05a9 \u05ea\u05b5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b5\u05a8\u05d3 \u05dc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8\u05a4 \u05e9\u05b8\u05c2\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4\u0599 \u05dc\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05e2\u05b5\u05a3\u05d3 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d6\u05b6\u05bc\u0594\u05d4 \u05d1\u05b7\u05bc\u05e9\u05b8\u05bc\u05c1\u05e0\u05b8\u0596\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b8\u05bd\u05d0\u05b7\u05d7\u05b6\u05bd\u05e8\u05b6\u05ea<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This means that access to the Divine energy is only available to Isaac and, later, to Jacob. This caused all other people to be excluded. That kindness which they once had access to\u2014despite often being misused\u2014is now inaccessible. Particularly among the descendants of Esau, there are those who recognize this absence and consequently seek conversion to Judaism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once someone converts to Judaism, they are metaphorically reborn. This concept is stated in the Talmud, Yevamot 22a:10: \u201cAnd the legal status of a convert who just converted is like that of a child just born.\u201d When someone is reborn in this manner, they adopt Abraham as their spiritual father (Rambam, Laws of Bikkurim, 4:3) and, like the physical descendants of Abraham, gain access to this Divine energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are also non-Jews who, for various reasons, cannot or do not wish to convert and formally join the Jewish people. However, they believe in the G-d of Israel and are aware of the grace that G-d extends to Israel, to them, and the world. They recognize that G-d desires the world to be a habitable place, as written in Isaiah 45:18.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n


<\/strong>For thus said G-D, The Creator of heaven who alone is For thus saith the L-RD that created the heavens, He is God; that formed the earth and made it, He established it, He created it not a waste, He formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD, and there is none else.<\/td>		 <\/td>\u05db\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9\u05be\u05db\u05b9\u05a3\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05e8\u05be\u05d3\u2019 \u05d1\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b5\u05a8\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05b8\u05bc\u05c1\u05de\u05b7\u059c\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d4\u05a3\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b8\u05bd\u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05e7\u05d9\u05dd \u05d9\u05b9\u05e6\u05b5\u05a8\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u059a\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b9\u05e9\u05b8\u05c2\u05d4\u05bc\u0599 \u05d4\u05a3\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05db\u05bd\u05d5\u05b9\u05e0\u05b0\u05e0\u05b8\u0594\u05d4\u05bc \u05dc\u05b9\u05bd\u05d0\u05be\u05ea\u05b9\u05a5\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u0596\u05d4\u05bc \u05dc\u05b8\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05a3\u05d1\u05b6\u05ea \u05d9\u05b0\u05e6\u05b8\u05e8\u05b8\u0591\u05d4\u05bc \u05d0\u05b2\u05e0\u05b4\u05a5\u05d9 \u05d3\u2019 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b5\u05a5\u05d9\u05df \u05e2\u05bd\u05d5\u05b9\u05d3:<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A place where righteousness and justice prevail, where people treat each other well, is a place where G-d desires to dwell because He seeks a relationship with His creation. Those who are not part of the Jewish people can achieve this by connecting themselves to Abraham\u2014specifically, to Abraham\u2019s descendants, the people of Israel\u2014who can transmit this grace. By learning and observing the Seven Noahide Laws as transmitted by the Masoretic[2]<\/a> tradition, Noahides can build a meaningful relationship with G-d.

In that sense, Abraham is the spiritual father of Noahides because he taught his children to do Justice and Righteousness, as we can read in Genesis 18:19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n


<\/strong>For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of the L-RD, to do righteousness and justice; to the end that the L-RD may bring upon Abraham that which He hath spoken of him.\u2019<\/td>		 <\/td>\u05db\u05b4\u05bc\u05a3\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d3\u05b7\u05e2\u05b0\u05ea\u05b4\u05bc\u0597\u05d9\u05d5 \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u05a9\u05e2\u05b7\u05df\u05a9 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05a8\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b0\u05e6\u05b7\u05d5\u05b6\u05bc\u059c\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05be\u05d1\u05b8\u05bc\u05e0\u05b8\u05a4\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05be\u05d1\u05b5\u05bc\u05d9\u05ea\u05d5\u05b9\u0599 \u05d0\u05b7\u05bd\u05d7\u05b2\u05e8\u05b8\u0594\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e9\u05b8\u05bd\u05c1\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u0599 \u05d3\u05b6\u05bc\u05a3\u05e8\u05b6\u05da\u05b0 \u05d3\u2019 \u05dc\u05b7\u05bd\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05c2\u05a5\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05e6\u05b0\u05d3\u05b8\u05e7\u05b8\u0596\u05d4 \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05e4\u05b8\u05bc\u0591\u05d8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u0597\u05e2\u05b7\u05df \u05d4\u05b8\u05d1\u05b4\u05a4\u05d9\u05d0 \u05d3\u2019 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc\u05be\u05d0\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4\u05b8\u0594\u05dd \u05d0\u05b5\u05a5\u05ea \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05e8\u05be\u05d3\u05b4\u05bc\u05d1\u05b6\u05bc\u0596\u05e8 \u05e2\u05b8\u05dc\u05b8\u05bd\u05d9\u05d5:<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before the covenant with Abraham, G-d\u2019s grace was available to all, but due to misuse and the great merit Abraham had, G-d decided to channel this grace through Abraham. Converts reconnect with this grace by becoming spiritual descendants of Abraham, while Noahides align themselves with Abraham\u2019s descendants to maintain their relationship with G-d. Thus, Abraham\u2019s role as the father of many nations is both a literal and a spiritual truth, encompassing all who seek to walk in the path of G-d\u2019s grace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> This also explains why we don\u2019t find that so many people from the Arab world want to convert. Because Ishmael, Abraham\u2019s first son, was born before the circumcision. This represents that he had a connection to that stage of humanity where G-d\u2019s kindness was available. But we do find people coming from Esav willing to convert, because he was born after Abraham\u2019s circumcision, that means, Esav came from a stage in humanity where G-d\u2019s kindness was directed only through man\u2019s good actions. In other words, G-d\u2019s kindness was directed and not available for all: a deep descent in humanity. This descent itself is for a higher later ascent.[2]<\/a> The term \u201cMasoret\u201d (also spelled \u201cMasorah\u201d or \u201cMasores\u201d) refers to the Jewish tradition of the transmission and interpretation of the Hebrew Bible. It is a Hebrew word that means \u201ctransmission\u201d or \u201ctradition.\u201d The Masoretic tradition encompasses the meticulous transmission of the text of the Hebrew Bible, including pronunciation, annotations, and liturgical and legal interpretations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Genesis 17: 4 \u2018As for Me, behold, My covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be the father of a multitude of nations.   \u05d0\u05b2\u05e0\u05b4\u0595\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b4\u05e0\u05b5\u05bc\u05a5\u05d4 \u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea\u05b4\u0596\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b4\u05ea\u05b8\u05bc\u0591\u05da\u05b0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05b4\u0595\u05d9\u05ea\u05b8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u0596\u05d1 \u05d4\u05b2\u05de\u05a5\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05d2\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05d9\u05b4\u05bd\u05dd The Relationship Between G-d\u2019s Covenant with Abraham and His Role as the Father of Many Nations We see from the wording of the… Read More \u00bbFather of Many (5744)<\/span><\/a>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":28127,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","episode_type":"audio","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3176],"tags":[1008,3214,1747,3272,1483],"series":[],"class_list":["post-27359","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles","tag-avraham","tag-conversion-2","tag-eisav","tag-english","tag-ishmael"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/tuviaserber.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Avraham.jpg","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/tuviaserber.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/avatar1400.jpeg","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"light","subscribeUrls":{"castbox":{"key":"castbox","url":"","label":"CastBox","class":"castbox","icon":"castbox.png"},"rss":{"key":"rss","url":"","label":"RSS","class":"rss","icon":"rss.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/tuviaserber.com\/en\/feed\/podcast\/rabino-tuvia-serber","embedCode":"

Father of Many (5744)<\/a><\/blockquote>