spirit

torah portion

A Complicated
Relationship

A

lthough Moses is often con-
sidered our consummate
leader, I would argue that
Abraham had the greater impact on
the world. He changed the course of
human history in last week’s Torah
portion, when he became the first
human being to understand God’s
eternal and undivided
nature. And this week, he
Abraham here reflects the
provides us with a blueprint
very real struggles that we
for our own relationships
often face in life. One of the
with God through three dis-
reasons our Torah is so pow-
tinct examples … one inspi-
erful as a sacred text is that
rational, one confusing and
it mirrors the nuance and
one dubious.
complexity of real life. In
The portion opens with
this case, perhaps Abraham
the mesmerizing tale of
Rabbi Mark
serves as exemplar of some
Sodom and Gomorrah —
Miller
decisions being morally
names that have become
ambiguous … and yet, we
synonymous with wicked-
need to make those deci-
ness — and God informs
sions and then live with the
Abraham about the inten-
consequences.
tion to destroy these cities. Rather
The parshah ends with one of the
than acknowledging God’s plan, or
most famous narratives in Jewish
cowering in fear of such ultimate
literature. Every time I read about
power, Abraham decides to stand
Abraham’s binding of Isaac so that
toe-to-toe with God (as it were) and
he can sacrifice him on a moun-
demand that God do better (Genesis
taintop, as God commands, I am
18:16-33). Instead of sweeping away
bereft. Such sadness, such misery,
innocent along with evil, Abraham
such terrifying images. Although
insists that God should act righ-
tradition has suggested that this was
teously — protecting the good is just only a trial to confirm Abraham’s
as important as terminating the bad. faith, many people don’t find that
Abraham gives us permission to
response comforting. Willingness to
argue with God, to get upset with
sacrifice a child is not ambiguous at
God … to view ourselves as partners all; it is simply malevolent. What can
in constructive dialogue with God.
we learn from this tale of woe?
He opens a theological door, and
Remember, Torah was never
Jewish tradition has always wanted
meant to be read as a historical doc-
us to walk through it by accepting
ument or as an infallible blueprint
responsibility for the world around
for our own actions. From ancient
us. We cannot simply blame God for days, our rabbis have always read
the problems we may see; it is up to
Torah as a book of wisdom, meant
us to fix them and demand better.
to inspire us to wrestle with its mys-
Unfortunately, after this act of
teries and derive our own human
remarkable courage, Abraham’s next conclusions. The Akeida stands as a
example for us is a puzzling one.
decisive reminder that even the best
Like he had done earlier (Genesis
people can fall prey to bad ideas and
12), Abraham tells a foreign king
wicked suggestions. None of us is
that Sarah is his sister, not his wife
merely good or bad — our impact on
— which almost leads to an unfor-
the world is measured by the deci-
tunate impropriety. Commentators
sions, large and small, that we make
have long struggled with Abraham’s
every day.
actions, and to this day, it is not
May we learn from the full range
clear whether he acted basely (sacri- of Abraham’s example and be worthy
ficing Sarah, or at least her honor) or of God’s enduring trust in us. •
nobly (trying to protect them both
from danger).
Mark Miller is senior rabbi at Temple Beth El in
Either way, it seems to me that
Bloomfield Township.

Parshat Vayera:
Genesis 18:1-22:24;
II Kings 4:1-37

FALL

CLEAN-UP

RUG CLEANING

2 FOR 1

Bring your rugs to any of our
drop-off locations and we’ll clean
every other one FREE!

CARPET CLEANING

3 ROOMS

89 . 99

$

some restrictions apply

some restrictions apply

1-800-HAGOPIAN (424-6742)

SCHEDULE ONLINE!

OriginalHagopian.com

OAK PARK  BIRMINGHAM CLARKSTON NOVI PLYMOUTH  UTICA ANN ARBOR

jn

November 2 • 2017

39

