Balancing the Needs of Home and Community
Why did Abraham beg for mercy for the city of Sodom but not for his son Isaac?By Rabbi Joshua Heller:
Provided by the Jewish Theological Seminary, a Conservative rabbinical seminary and university of Jewish studies.
Ever since I was a child, I've struggled with a fundamental question about Abraham's personality, a question which is posed by this week's parashah, Vayera. When God comes to Abraham to inform him that the city of Sodom is to be destroyed for its wickedness, Abraham responds aggressively by shaming God into agreeing to spare the city if 50 righteous can be found within it, saying,"Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?" (Genesis 18:25). Then, with a bargaining style that would be the envy of any used-car buyer, teenager, or trial lawyer, he lowers the number to 45, to 30, to 20, to 10.
Abraham Takes Orders
In contrast, when God comes to Abraham and commands him,"Take your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and offer him as a burnt offering" (Genesis 22:2), Abraham does not respond and heads off to do God's will. How could Abraham care so deeply for strangers, and not fight for the life of his own son?
I stand further in awe of the zeal and single-mindedness that Abraham brings to his assignment. Rather than prolonging good-byes, he does not delay--arising and setting out first thing in the morning, and attending to many details himself. When God summons Abraham to offer up his son, (Genesis 22:1) God calls his name once, and Abraham responds "hinneni"--here I am. In contrast, when God's messenger calls upon Abraham to stop, at the last moment, (22:11), it is with a two fold repetition, "Abraham, Abraham"--Abraham must be asked only once to raise the knife, but twice before he will stay it.
Continue reading.
No comments:
Post a Comment