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What distinguishes an eved l'melech from an eved l'adon in divine service? Tosafos (תוספות) explains that Shem served Hashem (ה׳) as a king whose glory comes from his subjects, while Avrohom achieved true avdus where the servant's entire identity derives from his master. This resolves why Avrohom could ask for guarantees about inheriting the land - an eved l'adon may request continued service, just not personal rewards.
This shiur examines a fundamental Tosafos (תוספות) in Gemara (גמרא) that distinguishes between two levels of divine service: eved l'melech (servant to a king) and eved l'adon (servant to a master). The discussion begins with Tosafos's question regarding why Shem said 'Baruch Hashem (ה׳) Elokei Shem' while Avrohom said 'Adonai Hashem,' noting that the term 'Adon' implies a relationship rather than just philosophical recognition of God's existence. The core difference emerges: Shem perceived Hashem as a melech (king), where the king's glory derives from his subjects' greatness. This led Shem to bless Avrohom first, then Hashem, reasoning that honoring the subject enhances the king's glory. However, Avrohom understood the relationship as eved l'adon, where the servant's entire definition comes from the master, not vice versa. This fundamental error cost Shem the kehunah, as priesthood requires total devotion to Hashem without seeking personal definition or glory.
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