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Parshat Vayera: Genesis 18:1-22:24;
II Kings 4:1-4:37.
NOW ENROLLING
A
braham, the protagonist of this
action between father and son, between
week's Torah portion, was per-
the architect of a revolution and the one
haps the most radical reformer
who will ultimately be responsible for its
in all of history. The doctrine he
perpetuation.
espoused — monotheism —
The idea behind this is simple,
was counterculture and revo-
yet profound.
lutionary in all of its tenets,
Education lies not in the words
and he solely shouldered the
that we say; it lies in the examples
responsibility for its propaga-
that we set. While words may
tion and promulgation.
suffice to convey hollow ideas
Abraham, then, was an
and lifeless messages, they are
educator who was deter-
ineffective in transmitting life and
mined to disseminate his
vibrancy.
beliefs and ideals to the wid- Rabbi
The transformation of a genera-
est possible audience. In fact, Mendel S tein tion of polytheists and idolaters
it was specifically the guid-
into devout believers, dedicated
ance and teachings he offered
to the service of one God, could
that served as the basis for his relation-
not come about through polemic and
ship with God.
debate. Abraham's influence was a credit
"For I have cherished him," said God,
to the life path he chose to take and the
"because he instructs his sons and his
example he chose to set, not to the mes-
household after him that they should
sages that he chose to deliver. His legacy
keep the way of the Lord to perform
is found in his actions, not in his words.
righteousness and justice From all
The message for us is clear.
of the tremendous achievements that
There is only so much that a school-
Abraham had accomplished and from all room can offer in terms of educating our
of the refined character traits possessed,
children. If we hope for our children to
God saw his influence on his household
be passionate about their Jewish identity
and his progeny as his primary virtue.
and to embrace leadership roles in the
One would expect that the pages
Jewish community, we must ourselves be
dedicated to detailing his life would be
living examples of Jews who are proud of
replete with his inspirational messages
our heritage.
and guiding insights, an anthology of
Often, when approached by parents
sorts of his seminal ideas and teachings.
concerned with the degree of their chil-
Surely, the greatest record of Abraham's
dren's Jewish involvement and participa-
influence would be the powerful speech-
tion, the Rebbe — Rabbi Menachem
es he would have delivered and the sage
M. Schneerson, of righteous memory
counsel he would have offered the mem-
— would suggest the parents begin by
bers of his household.
intensifying their own religious obser-
Those familiar with the Torah account vance and spiritual engagement
will know, however, that this is anything
While imparting knowledge is an
but the case. There is but one dialogue
integral part of Jewish education, the life,
between Abraham and Isaac recorded in
enthusiasm and pride that Judaism offers
the Torah, and its context seems some-
can only be transmitted through living
what incidental.
examples.
On his way to being sacrificed upon
If it is specifically life that begets life,
the altar, Isaac asked of his father: "Here
and energy that begets energy, then it is
are the fire and the wood, but where
only Jewish life that will beget Jewish life,
is the lamb for the burnt offering?" To
and Jewish energy Jewish energy. *
which Abraham responded: "God will
Rabbi Mendel Stein is development director at
provide for Himself the lamb for the
burnt offering, my son:' Beyond this con- Detroit's Lubavitch Yeshiva-International School for
Chabad Leadership in Oak Park.
versation, we know nothing of the inter-
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October 29 2015
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43