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How could Avrohom keep the entire Torah (תורה) before it was given, including rabbinical laws? The key insight is that mitzvos represent eternal spiritual realities, not just historical commemorations, so Avrohom could access these truths through his genuine search. His entire 172-year journey—even his early idolatry—retroactively became service of God once he reached ultimate truth.
This shiur examines the puzzling verse "Eikev asher shama Avrohom bekolai" - that God blessed Yitzchok because Avrohom listened to His voice and kept His commandments, statutes, and laws. The Gemara (גמרא) states that Avrohom kept the entire Torah (תורה) even before it was given, including rabbinical prohibitions (derabanans). This raises two fundamental questions: why do the rewards depend on Avrohom doing more than required, and why does the Torah emphasize the derabanans first rather than the core mitzvos? The shiur analyzes the apparent contradiction between the Rambam (רמב"ם)'s statement that Avrohom recognized God at age 40, and the Gemara's teaching that he served God for 172 years (from age 3 to 175). The Rambam describes how Avrohom, even after beginning his spiritual search, continued practicing idolatry along with his family and community while seeking truth.
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Parshas Toldos - Bereishis 26:5
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