From the Rabbi’s Desk
Rabbi Manes Kogan
Vayera
Today’s Torah portion, the fourth in the book of Genesis, is a very rich one. Actually, the Torah reading for both days of Rosh Hashanah is taken from our portion. The last chapter of the portion, the Akedah, is so overwhelmingly important and complex that it is usually is chosen by Rabbis as the main theme in a Devar Torah preparation.
However, I would like to deviate today from this main topic and share with you some insights about the first verses on chapter 18 and the first verses on chapter 19 of the book of Genesis.
Our Rabbis showed the parallel between the two chapters. In both, visitors who carry a special message make their appearance. In the first story they are received by our patriarch Abraham and in the second story, when they come to Sodom, they are received by Abraham’s nephew, Lot.
Let’s review the texts. Regarding Abraham we read:
"Hashem appeared to him in the plains of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance of the tent in the heat of the day: He lifted his eyes and saw - And behold! three men were standing over him. He perceived, so he ran toward them from the entrance of the tent, and bowed toward the ground: And he said, "My Lord, if I find favor in Your eyes, please pass not away from Your servant.": "Let some water be brought and wash your feet, and recline beneath the tree: I will fetch a morsel of bread that you may sustain yourselves, then go on -- inasmuch as you have passed your servant's way." They said, "Do so, just as you have said." (Genesis 18: 1-5)
Regarding Lot we read:
"The two angels came to Sodom in the evening and Lot was sitting at the gate of Sodom; now Lot saw and stood up to meet them and he bowed, face to the ground: And he said, "Behold now, my lords; turn about, please, to your servant's house; spend the night and wash your feet, then wake up early and go your way!" And they said, "No, rather we will spend the night in the square.": And he urged them very much, so they turned toward him and came to his house; he made a feast for them and baked matzos, and they ate" (Genesis 19:1-3)
On chapter 18, the Torah tells us a story that will have a transcendental impact on the future of the Jewish people: the prophecy of Isaac’s birth. The second story, not less important, is about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorra. However, the Jewish commentators, chose to focus on the apparently insignificant first verses of both chapters in order to teach us about "Hachnasat Orchim" – the rules of hospitality.
Let’s analyze some of the classic commentators
On the words: "He lifted his eyes and saw" and "He perceived, so he ran toward them" we read:
"And saw ... He perceived. The word is repeated because two things happened. First Abraham saw them coming. Then they stopped at a distance and he perceived that the reason they did so was to indicate that they did not wish to trouble him. In response, he ignored his pain and dashed toward them to invite them in (Rashi)"
The Talmud on the other side interprets the words "Adonai":
According to most interpretations, the word "Adonai" in this passage is sacred, referring to God. In taking leave from God, Abraham implored Him to pass not away from Your servant, but wait while he attended to his guests. Abraham's action shows that "hospitality to wayfarers is greater than receiving the Divine Presence" (Shevuos 35b; Shabbos 127a).
And let’s focus on a great interpretation of Midrash Tanchuma:
Abraham's departure from God was not disrespectful, however, because he knew that by hurrying to serve God's creatures, he was serving God Himself (Tanchuma Yashan).
Our Torah portion ends with the greatest sign of devotion and religiosity in the binding of Isaac, the Akedah. However, it starts with simple hospitality, to teach us that we can not go for big projects if we are not ready to make our ideas work in the everyday sphere.
The Torah, however, teaches us another important lesson in the way it compares Abraham hospitality with Lot’s one. Related to this last point a story is told about Rabbi Levi Yitzhak of Berdichev who came, on one of his trips, to a small city and asked to be hosted in the house of one of the richest men in town. The man turned him down and suggested that he to go to the Synagogue and sleep there with the other beggars. After a while the rumor spread that the holy Rabbi Levi Yitzhak was in town. The rich man ran to offer the distinguished guest to stay at his home when he realized that the important guest was the same one he had turned down a few hours before. The rich man apologized and offered to accommodate Rabbi Levy in his ample home. Rabbi Levi Ytzhak answered him: ‘here we see the difference between Abraham our forefather of blessed memory and his nephew Lot. Regarding Lot we read in the Torah: "..two angels came to Sodom in the evening and Lot was sitting at the gate of Sodom...", but regarding Abraham we read: "He lifted his eyes and saw - And behold! three men were standing over him".
Lot saw angels and he treated them as important guests. Abraham, on the other side, saw tired men. Abraham did not make any difference among his guest. All of them were important, all of them were worthy of his dedication.
As Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel explained, the moral and spiritual stature of a family, of a Rabbi, of a congregation, of a community is measured not by how they treat the people of renown, the rich, the young and the strong, but how they treat the anonymous, the poor, the unpopular, the old and the sick.
If everybody wants to be surrounded by young, rich and wise people, who will take care of the less fortunate?
Many of us volunteer in one way or another for the benefit of the community, at the Interfaith Hospitality Network, at RAM, at the Free Clinic, at the Pastoral Counseling Center, etc. However, I believe that our social involvement is (and if not should be) an extension of the kindness and consideration we show to our own members in our own congregation. I am convinced that the inclusiveness we look for in the outside world needs to be preceded by our inclusiveness at Beth Israel.
And in this regard, I believe, we are doing a great job and we should be very proud of our congregation and of ourselves. When it comes to money and social status, Beth Israel is certainly not ranked among the top congregations in the state of Virginia. However, when we talk about kindness, warmth and dedication to our own members and to others, our Synagogue has a lot to offer and knows how to lead with the example. People come here and look the way we treat each other, how we try to work hard to improve ourselves and how we try to keep a low profile when it comes to criticize others, how we try to be humble and generous, to promise small and deliver big.
This is Abraham’s lesson in today’s Torah portion. We are far of being him, but as his descendants we will try our best to follow his path. May our efforts be crowned with success!
Shabbat Shalom