[Avodah] Middos of the Avos

[Lisa Liel]

On 9/6/2011 3:46 PM, Yitzchak Schaffer wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> A question WRT the middos commonly attributed to the Avos (Avraham 
> <==> chesed, etc.). What is the nature of the relationship of these 
> middos to their respective figures? The two possibilities that 
> occurred to me:
>
> - Their souls were pre-wired for perfection in these middos
> - The individuals cultivated their respective middos to a phenomenal 
> degree
>
> And if the latter, why was it that these middos were chosen?
>
> I seem to recall hearing this discussed before. I also think I recall 
> seeing the Nesivos Shalom discuss the relation of each Av to his 
> wife/wives in terms of the middos: Avraham contrasting with Sarah 
> (throw out Yishmael), etc.
>

We don't really know a lot about the Avot as people.  I mean, if we have 
5 days worth of Avraham Avinu that's a lot.  I don't think the question 
is really pertinent, because all the Torah has given us is that which 
will display those middot.  The essence of Avraham Avinu which has been 
given to us is one of chesed.  Had Hashem chosen to pick different 
middot of his to show us, we'd have seen something else.

The Torah isn't a history book.  Which doesn't mean that it isn't 
historically accurate, but its purpose is didactic; not descriptive.

Lisa