Dear Friends,
I often wrestle with what it must have been like to be Abraham. He was told by G-d who he had no knowledge of (except perhaps through his father’s idol worship) to leave home and begin a new people. He made an agreement with a Divine Being that would become the basis of three major world religions. Can you imagine the risks involved in doing this? His father had just died and he had to begin a whole new life. So…as we read this weekly portion, what do we learn from it?
I would like to propose that this may have been one of the first examples of someone looking outside of the box at the possibilities that life can offer if we are willing to look at life from a new and fresh perspective. How many of us need to leave the comfort of our own ideas, perceptions, and understandings, and think about other ways of viewing things? Abraham is challenged to stretch himself and look at wholly and holy new opportunities to enrich his life and the lives of his descendants. He also learns that this Being that has challenged him to step outside of his comfort zone and not be limited to the teachings of his father, is also a Being who he will challenge. As we read the portion, Lech Lecha, and beyond, we will see that Abraham challenges G-d when he disagrees with G-d. How many of us have the intestinal fortitude and/or time to challenge either ourselves or those with whom we have relationships?
I hope that as we read this portion we will be inspired to look at new and creative ways of living our own lives. I hope we will challenge the assumptions which sometimes keep us from making changes and growing. I hope we will challenge ourselves to attend worship services more often, perform that extra mitzvah that can help repair a piece of our world, make that phone call to say hi to an old friend, or seek forgiveness from someone or forgive someone. At this time in our lives, how exciting it can be if we try something new and give ourselves the opportunity to think about new adventures and/or options to pursue both professionally and personally?
Nothing is more challenging to me that a car ride to college with one of our kids when we are together for several hours and we have meaningful conversations which cause both of us to look at things from a new perspective. Perhaps the lesson of Abraham is to be open to change in our lives and through changing our lives, helping to change the world…Perhaps real holiness occurs when we challenge each other in respectful ways that help each of us to learn more about each other and ourselves.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Bruce Aft