Dvar Torah for Parshat VaYera

A free translation of Likutey Moharan I, 60:2-3

In order to understand the Torah properly according to your level, you have to have the proper wealth... To have that wealth you must have length of days....'

One has to see to it to lengthen and expand his days. Because everyone, everyday, starts the day in a bind: so much to do, to learn, to pray, and not enough time. But you must start, little by little, and afterwards things move along and the day 'expands.' That's what you have to do, hour-by-hour, add to the holiness. And tomorrow, start again: expand the day, little by little, adding holiness to each passing hour.

To have this 'length of days,' this aging in kedushah (holiness), you must have fear of God. For fear of God protects you from poverty, which prevents you from understanding the Torah to the best of your ability. That poverty, God forbid, is induced by "false charisma, the vanity of attractiveness" (Proverbs 31:30). For there are all types of poses and posturing that people affect in order to impress members of the opposite sex. But fear of God is the antidote, as the above verse concludes, "...a God-fearing woman, she shall be praised."

That is why when the Patriarch Avraham came to territory of the Philistines and sensed on his exalted level the taint of desire, he realized that fear of God was lacking there (Genesis 20:11). By spending time and lengthening his days there, Avraham brought the Philistine king and his people to a greater level of fear of God (verse 8). He thus acquired greater wealth (verses 14-15) that enabled him to gain and share with others deeper insights into Torah, the service of God (verse 17).

Agutn Shabbos!
Shabbat Shalom!