In Parsha Lech Lecha, Breisheet 15:1 God appears to Avram in a vision and tells him: “Fear not Avram, I am your shield, your reward is very great.”

What was Avram afraid of?

In Breisheet Raba 44:5, three fears are suggested.

Rabbi Levi’s first reason: Avram was worried that perhaps he killed a righteous person in one of the wars that he fought.

Rabbi Levi’s second reason: Avram was afraid that the descendents of those who were killed would come after him.

The Rabbis taught that Avram was worried that he used up all of his reward in this world and that he would have no reward in the world to come.

The Midrash explains how God calmed Avram’s fears-

In response to Rabbi Levi’s first point, God answered Avram: “Don’t worry, you didn’t do anything wrong. I intended to kill all of those people and none of those people were righteous.

In response to Rabbi Levi’s second point, God answered: “Not only am I protecting you, I am literally your shield, no weapns will be able to hurt you”.

In response to the Rabbis’ point God said: “Your reward is very great- both in this world and in the next world”.

Nechama Leibowitz points out that the first point is based on ethical motives, Avram was worried that he violated human relationships. The second point is based on political considerations and the dangers of war. The third point projects a religious motivation, the relationship between a person and God.

Today, in the State of Israel, there is still a concern for ethics, politics and religion. The Israeli army is one of the most ethical armies in the world. However, the Jewish people still have Avram’s concerns of were we ethical enough, will the enemies still be attacking innocent civilians even in times of peace, as well as what is our relationship with God every day of our lives including during times of war.

May the State of Israel be fully protected by God the way that Avraham was and may God continue to be our shield as we say in our prayers three times a day “Baruch Atah HaShem Magen Avraham”, “Blessed are you, God, the shield of Avraham".