Rav Avrohom Gurewitz, rosh yeshivah of Ner Moshe and prolific mechaber of the Ohr Avrohom series and more, was in his late eighties, still going strong, still learning and writing seforim, when — recovering from a hospital stay and about to return home — he was suddenly gone, the open notebook on his desk bearing witness to his latest work. Yet he left in his wake a million sparks that he personally ignited, encouraged, and fanned
And if I have merited to express some theory or understanding in words of Torah, or to find some novel concept in the words of the Rishonim and Acharonim which, if written, will be helpful to others, then it is certainly my obligation to do so. And through this I, too — Avrohom, descendant of Avraham Avinu — will merit to somewhat illuminate the darkness and obscurity that covers the earth, as long as we are placed in the world of tohu vavohu in this bitter exile.
These words are written as part of the introduction to the sefer Ohr Avrohom, by Rav Avrohom Gurewitz ztz”l, on sugyos haShas. The essay begins by quoting the midrash which teaches that the words “yehi ohr — let there be light” refer to Avraham Avinu.
Avraham Avinu was the very definition of light.
Why is this?
Rav Gurewitz suggests that it’s because Avraham Avinu didn’t just learn Torah.
He taught Torah.
He let others see the brilliance that he himself perceived.
