The daily strengthening from The Rav, Rabbi Berland shlit"a — How did Abba Umna merit to receive “peace” from Heaven every day?

“And he shall surely heal” (Shemos 21:19)

Wednesday, 21 Tishrei 5785 — The Tzaddik gives over his life for Kiddush Hashem every minute, every second

These are his holy words:

Abba Umna would receive “peace” every day (Ta’anis 21b) even though he practiced bloodletting, even though he had a clinic. And why did Abba Umna merit this? Because he was a gilgul of Mamre (Gilgulei Neshamos of the Ram"a miPano, letter Mem), and Mamre was Avraham’s most faithful chassid.

Mamre circumcised himself after Aner and Eshkol—who had circumcised themselves before him—had already died. They died because they did it due to social pressure. In truth, they were against circumcision. They told Avraham: Don’t do circumcision—it’s not worth it for you. Do it discreetly; hide; do it in Egypt; do it in the Jordan. Why here? Circumcise there on some hill, on some mountain where no one will see you. Why are you doing it publicly? Everyone will come to fight with us.

Aner and Eshkol were truly against circumcision, and so they died. But Mamre, who said, “Now circumcise me,” even though two had already died before him—that is tremendous self-sacrifice. Two already died; who says you will live? That is literally danger to life. Yet Mamre said: No—under no circumstances. Circumcise me now. And therefore Abba Umna was the gilgul of Mamre, and he received a Bas Kol from Heaven every day.

Mamre in gematria is “rapa” = 281, “And he shall surely heal” (Shemos 21:19). And Abba Umna also became a doctor and received that “peace” every day.

Abaye could not understand how he received “peace” only on Erev Shabbos. After that came Rava, who received “peace” only on Erev Yom Kippur. And it is also known that the halachah follows Rava, because Rava is the gilgul of Lot—a spark from Lot. Rava came to rectify Lot; therefore Rava was in Bavel. He needed to rectify Bavel, to rectify Charan, to rectify those places—but the Tzaddik receives “peace” every day, because the Tzaddik gives over his life for Kiddush Hashem every minute, every second.

And this is what the meraglim did not understand.