Sefat Emet

My grandfather and teacher, of blessed memory, said in the name of the holy Rabbi of Kotzk, regarding "אלי" (concerning me), that it is written this way because when he had a personal interest at stake, he did not feel his own interest. And it seems that the Torah repeated the entire passage because of this—as our Rabbis, of blessed memory, said, "the conversation of the servants [of the Patriarchs] is more pleasing [than the Torah of their children]"—for he, too, feared that he might have some ulterior interest, and that through it he might spoil the mission. For he knew with certainty that the will of Avraham Avinu (Avraham our Father) would be fulfilled by HaShem, may He be blessed; he only feared lest he himself cause some flaw in carrying out the mission. This is what is meant by "my way has prospered"—he reviewed the entire matter for himself and became aware of his own interest. And when his personal interest was removed, he merited to complete the mission properly. This was also because he knew that all the success came through the merit of Avraham Avinu, even though he himself was also a tzaddik (righteous one). So, too, every person must know that he is a sheliach (emissary) of HaShem, may He be blessed, in this world. And in accordance with his awareness of this, all his deeds should be directed toward this purpose. He should also know that whatever he merits to accomplish comes about because it is His, may He be blessed, will that His will be done. Then, "the desire of HaShem will prosper in his hand."