CHASSIDIC PEARLS BY RABBI LAZER BRODY PARSHAS VAYEIRA

"And they shall keep the ways of Hashem" (Bereishit 18:19). Rebbe Nachman of Breslev teaches that by virtue of emuna, the complete and steadfast faith in Hashem, a person merits children (Sichos HaRan, 34). At a superficial glance, Rebbe Nachman's teaching seems odd. After all, the entire world has children; yet few have attained true emuna. Rebbe Nachman's intent must therefore be much deeper than what appears on the surface, as we will explain: When the Torah states, "And they shall keep the ways of Hashem" the Torah is testifying that Avraham's (Abraham) offspring will guard and observe Hashem's commandments. Hashem explains that Avraham is destined to father a great and spiritually lofty nation by virtue of the fact that he educates his offspring to follow in the ways of Hashem; he does this most effectively by teaching them emuna. Yet, there are other nations that also follow in the ways of Hashem in that they do good and charitable deeds, such as sending relief to disaster areas or feeding the poor. Why don't they become a "chosen people"? What's the inherent difference between them and the Jewish People?