Va'era: The Good Old Days

וארא אל אברהם אל יצחק ואל יעקב וגו' ושמי ד' לא נודעתי להם. וגם הקמתי את בריתי אתם לתת להם את ארץ כנען וגו' והבאתי אתכם אל הארץ וגו' ונתתי אותה לכם מורשה אני ד'. 

And I appeared to Avraham Yitzchak and Yaakov, but through My Name ‘Hashem’ I was not known to them. And I also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan. And I will bring you to the land, and I will give it to you as an inheritance, for I am Hashem

Hashem tells Moshe that although He appeared to the Avos (Patriarchs), He did so with the name ‘Shakai’, not the name ‘Hashem’.

Rashi explains that Hashem is effectively saying: "I promised many things to the Avos, but I did not yet fulfill them." The name ‘Hashem’ represents the fulfillment of those promises, which is now coming to fruition.

However, Rashi cites a Medrash that adds a complex layer to this revelation: Chaval al d’avdin v’lo mishtakchin... “Woe to that which was lost and will never be found. Many times I revealed Myself to them as E-l Shakai and they did not ask Me, ‘What is Your Name?’ yet you asked, ‘What is His Name?’”

Read simply, the Medrash seems to be criticizing Moshe for a "lack of belief" by insisting on knowing God’s Name.

However, Rav Shimon Schwab zt”l explains this Medrash on a deeper level. Hashem, as it were, is lamenting the passing of an era. The Avos knew Hashem and knew of His promise to one day redeem His people and give them Eretz Yisroel, yet they never personally witnessed it. Despite this, they believed with perfect faith that it would one day occur.

This represents "living with Hashem through Emunah." It is a unique relationship defined by the ability to trust before seeing results—living with, and yearning for, a closeness with Hashem even in the dark.

Now, however, is the time for Hashem to deliver. The era of mere trust is over; now is the time to show Klal Yisroel the actual redemption.

Hashem is lamenting the past, a time when Emunah predominantly defined the relationship. Now, the Jewish People will see Him clearly. The relationship will shift to one of fulfillment and results, as opposed to simple faith.

Of course, the ultimate purpose of faith is to reach the level of absolute knowledge. Yet, there is a special sweetness and innocence in pure faith—in relying on Hashem before we see the outcome. The Medrash is teaching us that as we transition forward into clarity, this unique dimension of relationship is lost.

This insight can serve as a profound inspiration for our current situation. We often feel that if only we witnessed open miracles, it would be so much easier to serve Hashem. Rav Schwab teaches us that our current reality—living with faith—is an opportunity we must cherish. This is once again the "era of trust," where we have the unique ability to show Hashem how much we yearn for Him without seeing Him openly.

In the future, when things are clearer, the mandate will be different, and the expectations will be higher. Let us maximize our service of Hashem now, so we can one day look back at this time as the "good old days." May we merit the "good new days" of Moshiach speedily in our times!

Have a wonderful Shabbos.