Torah Portion

Spiritual Excellence
Is To Be Treasured

exclaimed, "Will the Judge of the whole
world not do justice?"
The sheer forcefulness of Abraham
and Sarah's spirit attracted the loyalty
and devotion of their contemporaries.
They attracted converts to their way of
life, not necessarily because of their con-
vincing arguments, but for their persua-
uring the course of these
sive acts. Former pagans embraced this
weeks, we read the story of
new and strange doctrine, which taught
Abraham. Abraham is not a
the worship of one God and the fulfill-
prophet, a lawgiver, or a mir-
ment of His moral law, because of
acle worker. Nor does Sarah, his wife,
Abraham's contagious enthusiasm.
demonstrate exceptional powers or
In the physical world, only illness is
supernatural gifts. What distinction
contagious — good health cannot be
earns for them the designation
transferred. If we associate
of the "first Jewish family?"
ourselves with people of good
Why were they so noteworthy
health, their physical fitness is
in their own generation and
not thereby transmitted to us.
designated as models, exem-
But in the spiritual realm,
plars, of that greatness which
wholeness and good health
the Jewish people was to seek
and spiritual excellence are
in all the generations that fol-
contagious and infectious if
lowed?
they are maintained with suf-
WA.
Spiritual greatness is obvi-
ficient fervor and vigor.
RABBI IRWIN
ously the composite of many
I believe that the reason
qualities, and it would be haz-
GRONER
why Abraham was called the
ardous to reduce it to one sin-
Special to
first Jew and achieved his
gle trait. But despite this risk,
The Jewish News unique position of eminence
one notes a predominant char-
in the history of his people
acteristic that was a guiding principle in
was largely because of this quality of his
the lives of Abraham and Sarah, a fierce
spirit. His name is associated with the
and unwavering enthusiasm for virtue.
emphasis on man's responsibilities to
It would not be correct to say that
society, to the world, to God.
Abraham had an interest in justice. He
One does not have to be a learned
had a passion for justice; he demanded
scholar to detect a lack of enthusiasm for
it with forcefulness, vehemence and dar-
virtue or spiritual excellence in modern
ing. He was not a philosopher who con-
society.
sidered the nature of good and evil with
A glance at the world around us
detached speculation. He loved right-
reveals a paradoxical distribution of the
eousness with an intense and persuasive
praiseworthy quality of enthusiasm. It is
enthusiasm. He had an obsession for
regrettably absent in the righteous
righteousness.
endeavors of civilization. It is disturbing-
Hospitality was practiced by many
ly present in its wayward and illicit
families in the ancient Near East, but
enterprises.
Abraham was unique in that great com-
The forces of darkness possess enthu-
mitment with which he carried out this
siasm in great abundance. The forces of
task. When the "strange visitors" arrived
progress often are lacking in fervor. The
at his tent unexpectedly, Abraham "ran"
causes of evil are associated with thrills
to receive them and to serve them food.
and excitement. The cause of goodness
"And he stood by them under the tree,
seems dull and unexciting.
and they did eat." According to tradi-
Righteousness has lost its attractiveness
tion, Abraham's home was constructed
since the days of Abraham. We need to
with four separate entrances, one on
recapture it. ❑
each side, so that the weary wanderers of
the desert would have easier access to it,
regardless of the direction of their
approach.
Abraham's passion for justice contains
What qualities distinguished
such great fervor and zeal that he even
Abraham and Sarah from the rest
dared to question the inscrutable ways
of their generation?
of the Almighty. When God was about
Why is enthusiasm so vital to
to bring destruction upon the cities of
the achievement of a moral life?
Sodom and Gomorra, Abraham
How can we transmit to our
children the pleasure and joy of
Irwin Groner is senior rabbi of
doing good?

Shabbat Lech Lechah:
Genesis 6:9-11:32;
Isaiah 54:1-55:5.

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