1. AND G-D SAID TO ABRAHAM …’ (12:1).
Abraham. Possibly the most influential person in history.
He taught the world about G-d.
That there’s a G-d Who demands morality. And ethics.
And Abraham also taught the world about man. About human dignity.
How every human being is created in the Image of G-d.
… Us? We may not change the world.
But the Talmud (Ethics of the Fathers) teaches another way to be like Abraham.
… By changing ourselves.
By being generous. And humble.
Because with all his accomplishments, that’s how Abraham was.
… It’s something to think about.
When we think about the things that we have accomplished.
And sometimes we may get a little too proud. And a little too demanding of others.
… Then it’s time to be more like Abraham.
**2. STORY OF THE WEEK**
Rabbi Aaron Rokeach was known for his tremendous humility.
… Once, as he was getting into a taxi, he turned to his students with a smile.
‘See how a person has to bend down to get into a taxi?
… Life is like that too.
If you want to get anywhere – you have to be willing to bend down.
To lower yourself.
That’s the only way.’
3. AND ABRAHAM SAID TO LOT, PLEASE LET THERE NOT BE A DISPUTE BETWEEN US… (13:8)
It’s one of the so-called little lessons for life that we learn from Abraham.
That’s bigger than we think.
Something that’s really obvious to us. But somehow it’s the obvious things that we tend to forget.
Like how it doesn’t necessarily matter whose fault it is.
And it doesn’t always matter if it will cost me a little.
Maybe some inconvenience. Time. Or money.
… Avoiding an argument is worth a lot.
There’s a great quote that captures the idea:
“Apologizing doesn’t neccsarily mean that I was all wrong and you were all right. It means that I value our relationship more than my ego.”
4. A DEEPER LOOK
There’s something interesting in this week’s story about Abraham.
He doesn’t just take care of his guests. He “runs towards them”. He “hurries to do it.”
The Torah stresses that he did his acts of kindness quickly.
On one level it’s very practical – and very important – advice.
You have a good deed you want to? Great!
Do it quickly!
Because you never know what will happen if you delay.
Things happen. Distractions arise.
Life gets in the way!
And if you don’t hurry, it may never get done.
… The Jewish mystics explain it on a deeper level.
G-d isn’t a physical being. He is completely unlimited by space.
And unlimited by time.
Because both time and space are functions of the physical world. Not the spiritual.
We humans? We are physical beings. And from that perspective we’re limited by time and space.
But there’s more to us.
We also possess a neshama. A G-d like soul.
And every mitzvah we do, is an attempt to be more spiritual.
And that is why Jewish tradition emphasizes the idea of running to do a mitzvah.
It’s an attempt to be “above time”.
A reminder of how G-d like we really are – and should strive to be.
5. THE REAL MIRACLE WATER
A man went to a famous Kabbalist in the Israeli city of Safed. He had heard that the Rabbi had ‘miracle water.’ Water that the Rabbi blessed and was supposed to help people deal with their challenges. Especially, it was said, in terms of their relationships.
He told the Rabbi that he had a problem.
‘It’s my marriage. Somehow, we don’t have ‘shalom bayit’ – peace and harmony in our home. It seems like we’re always arguing.
I really need some of that ‘holy water’.
The Rabbi said the water could help. And gave him a bottle.
The man asked if there were any special instructions. Any special way to take it or deep thoughts he should have.
The Rabbi smiled. ‘Yes. Here’s what you do.
Next time you see that you are about to say something you will probably regret, quickly take a drink of the water.
But do not swallow it yet.
Keep it in your mouth. Hold it there. Until you calm down.
It will work wonders.
Guaranteed.’