Chayei Sarah תרמ"ה 3
ישכם עושים חסד ואמת את אדוני כו'.
"If you are doing chesed and emes (kindness and truth) with my master…"
Eliezer, the servant of Avraham, asks Lavan and Besuel whether they will act with kindness and truth toward his master Avraham. The Sefas Emes reads this not merely as a request, but as a hint that they would be granted a share in bringing chesed and emes into the world.
פי' שיהי' להם חלק לעשות החסד ואמת בעולם כי האבות המה עמודים שהעולם עומד עליהם ויודע הי' אליעזר שצריך להיות נולד מזה יעקב אבינו בחי' אמת כמ"ש תתן אמת ליעקב וזהו הגידו לי שהוא לשון המשכה כמ"ש בזוה"ק:
The meaning is that they would have a portion in performing chesed and emes in the world. For the Avos (forefathers) are the pillars upon which the world stands, and Eliezer knew that from this match Yaakov Avinu - the aspect of emes - was destined to be born, as it is written, "Give truth to Yaakov" (Michah 7:20). This is the meaning of "tell me," which is a language of drawing down (hamshachah), as is explained in the Zohar.
The Avos are the foundations of the world, each embodying a middah (trait): Avraham - chesed, Yitzchak - gevurah, and Yaakov - emes. Eliezer understood that this very shidduch would ultimately bring Yaakov, the bearer of truth, into the world. The word "haggidu" (tell me) shares a root with drawing down an influence from above, so Eliezer was really asking that the channel of chesed and emes be drawn into the world through this union.
Summary: Eliezer's request that Lavan's family act with chesed and emes was really a plea to draw the trait of emes - which would crystallize in Yaakov Avinu - down into the world, since the Avos are the pillars upon which all of creation stands.
On these themes in Chayei Sarah
- The three levels of blessing in the Avosתרנ"א · Essay 2
- Earned chesed versus unearned giftsתרמ"ח · Essay 3
- The Avos awaken teshuvah; din yields to chesedתרנ"ח · Essay 2
- Avraham as the channel for Hashem's chesedתרל"ב · Essay 2
- Earning Kindness Through Serviceתרמ"א · Essay 4
- Light Learned from Servants' Speechתרמ"א · Essay 2
See also across the library
Chesedחסד
- The Akeidah refines Avraham's chesed into Yaakov's truthVayeira · תרנ"ח · Essay 2
- Dual Camps of Chesed and TruthVayishlach · תרמ"ו · Essay 1
- Balanced Divine AttributesVayeshev · תרמ"ג · Essay 1
- Kindness and Truth in BurialVayechi · תרמ"א · Essay 2
- Humility Attracts Divine KindnessVayishlach · תרל"ח · Essay 2
Truthאמת
Yaakov Avinuיעקב אבינו
The Avos & Zechus Avosזכות אבות
- Yaakov's truth transcends nature, an endless inheritanceToldot · תרנ"ט · Essay 1
- Divine Mercy Beyond JusticePesach · תרנ"ה-תרנ"ו · Essay 10
- Torah recaptured: refining holy sparks belowYitro · תרנ"ג · Essay 2
- Daily Awakening of Jacob’s SpiritVayechi · תרנ"ג · Essay 1
- Holiness of the LandVayishlach · תרנ"ב · Essay 2