Parshat Va’era: I Can Be Great!

In Parshat Va'era, Hashem speaks to Moshe and says, “Va’eira el Avraham, el Yitzchak, ve’el Yaakov” — “I appeared to Avraham, to Yitzchak, and to Yaakov.” On this pasuk, Rashi comments simply: Va’eira el ha’Avot — “I appeared to the avot.”

At first glance, Rashi’s words seem puzzling. Of course Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov are the avot. Everyone knows they are our forefathers. Rashi’s role is to clarify and enlighten — what new insight is he adding here?

My father, Rav Yitzchok Fingerer, shlit"a shared a beautiful teaching from the Chatam Sofer that sheds new light on this Rashi. In this context, the word Avos does not merely mean “forefathers.” It comes from the root avah — desire, yearning, and longing.

Rashi is teaching us something profound: Hashem did not appear to Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov simply because they were the Avos. He appeared to them because of their avah — their deep sincerity and burning desire to grow, to become great, and to connect to Him.

Hashem revealed Himself to them because they wanted greatness.

That’s a message that speaks directly to each of us.

Hashem doesn’t only connect to people who are already great. He connects to those who want to be great. If we have a sincere desire to grow — if we genuinely want to come closer to Hashem — we can accomplish far more than we imagine. Hashem wants us to try. All we need to do is take the first step, and Hashem helps with the rest.

A Powerful Story of Desire

A wealthy man once visited the Novardok yeshivah. He approached the Rosh yeshivah and explained that he had a daughter in shidduchim and wanted the very best bachur in the yeshivah for her.

The Rosh Hayeshivah walked with him through the beit medrash. He pointed to one bachur and said, “This one is the biggest matmid — the most diligent learner in the yeshivah.”

They walked further. He pointed to another bachur and said, “This one is the greatest lamdan — the strongest learner.”

Then he pointed to a third bachur and said, “And this one is the greatest tzaddik.”

The wealthy man, growing impatient, turned to the Rosh Hayeshivah and said, “Rebbi, that’s all very impressive — but who is the best bachur in the yeshivah? Which one should marry my daughter?”

The Rosh Hayeshivah paused, then pointed to a quiet bachur sitting alone in the corner of the beit medrash.

“Him,” he said. “He is the best bachur in the entire yeshivah.”

The man was confused. “Rebbi, you showed me the biggest matmid, the biggest lamdan, and the biggest tzaddik. This bachur isn’t the best in any of those categories. What makes him so special?”

With a twinkle in his eye, the Rosh Hayeshivah replied, “This bachur is the biggest mevakesh. He has the strongest desire to learn, to grow, and to understand Torah. More than anyone else here, he wants to get closer to Hashem. And because of that desire, I am confident he will eventually surpass all the others.”

You may be wondering who that quiet bachur was.

That young man became Steipler Gaon, Rav Yaakov Yisroel Kanievsky, zt”l — one of the most revered gedolei Yisroel, and the father of Rav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l.

What made the Steipler so great? Not extraordinary brilliance or natural advantage — but avah. A burning desire. Sincerity. Effort. A relentless yearning to grow closer to Hashem.

That lesson is for all of us.

Hashem is looking for our sincerity. He wants to see us trying. Every step we take toward growth is precious in His eyes. Let’s believe in ourselves. Let’s strive for greatness. And let’s show Hashem that we truly want to come closer to Him.

Because when we desire greatness — greatness becomes possible.

Aryeh Fingerer is a passionate Jewish speaker who connects with readers around the world through his meaningful and relatable divrei Torah. He’s dedicated to spreading positivity and strengthening our bond with Yiddishkeit through stories, insights, and timeless Torah values.
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