One of the ideas we have been discussing is the importance of continuity in Judaism. We discussed that there are 2 important parts to this. First, that some are born in and secondly that we all use our free will to choose to continue our beliefs and traditions.
Brian Rubin commented how our continuity is done differently than with kings. Kings are typically chosen by being the oldest son of the last king. The king is the king regardless of his beliefs and traditions. In the parshas, it is Isaac and Jacob, not the oldest sons, that are chosen to ensure our continuity. Our continuity is about keeping the same traditions and beliefs from generation to generation.
We discussed Rav Yeager’s commentary with respect to Abraham and Sarah. We discussed how there were false rumors that Abraham was unable to get Sarah pregnant and she went out and had an affair with someone else. But the truth is that Sarah was the one having trouble getting pregnant. In fact, Sarah suggested that Abraham get together with the maid servant, Hagar, in hopes of having a child.
We discussed how Abraham ended up having a child with Hagar, who was named Ishmael. Later in life, Abraham eventually did have a child with Sarah, who was named Isaac. Dave W brought up some of the differences between Ishmael and Isaac, in particular that Isaac was so willing at age 37 to sacrifice himself for Hashem. We discussed how Isaac was chosen by Sarah to be the one to ensure the continuity of our beliefs and ideas known as Judaism which began with Abraham.
We discussed some of the purpose that we have as Jews in the world, to be a “light” onto all nations. We brought monotheism to the world, and have a purpose to represent and be a manifestation of Hashem in the world as well. Abraham was focused on this idea and went on to have children with another wife after Sarah died, in order to spread himself to as many nations as possible. We discussed how we believe that today there is a little bit of Abraham in all corners of the world.
We discussed how everyone has and continues to have a purpose. David shared how his father, Dr. George N Schlesinger, would say there is no such thing as “retirement” in Judaism. When one reaches a certain age, they may decide to no longer have a certain job or career, but continue to have a purpose, which may include inspiring others. David shared about how his great grandfather was a Rabbi who never stopped inspiring others and having learnings at his house.
We discussed how after Isaac came back from his willingness to be sacrificed, Sarah had fulfilled her mission of having a child to ensure our community. She passed away shortly thereafter. On the other hand, Abraham wasn’t through. His purpose was to spread himself to as many future nations and corners of the world as possible, and he found another wife and had more children.
We discussed how the story of Isaac and Rebecca parallels the story with Abraham and Sarah. Just as Sarah saw it as her purpose to ensure our continuity, so did Rebecca. Rebecca chose Jacob for this role, and even went to the extent of disguising him to Isaac, in order that Jacob would be chosen. As we know, Isaac was not focused on continuity and showed a preference for his other son, Esau.
Of course, not all the descendants of Abraham turned out to ensure our continuity. We discussed how the descendants of Ishmael have gone on to become a people who do not share our values. These people believe it is desirable to die and kill others, as we have seen recently on a train in Jerusalem and in Paris. On the other hand, we discussed how the descendants of Esau have done teshuva and share some of our values. For the most part, we live in peace with the descendants of Esau, and many of them support us and Israel.
We discussed how ultimately it is preferable to change people, rather than get rid of them, and we have been able to be a great influence over our world and be a “light onto nations” as Hashem intended. This is particularly true for the descendants of Esau. Unfortunately, we have not been able to change everyone for the better. Our hearts go out to the victims of the recent terrorist incidents in Jerusalem and in Paris. It was recently veterans day, and I would like to thank those who help fight and defend our country, and well as those who help defend Israel.
There are several lessons in the parsha for all of us. Just as Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Rebecca all had a purpose, we all have a purpose in our own lives as well. We can see from the parsha, the importance of the role of woman. We can see that it is always important to have the whole story, and not to make judgement on bits and pieces as people did when Sarah became pregnant the first time. And finally we can see the importance that we each do our own part to help ensure our continuity.
We discussed how Abraham ended up having a child with Hagar, who was named Ishmael. Later in life, Abraham eventually did have a child with Sarah, who was named Isaac. Dave W brought up some of the differences between Ishmael and Isaac, in particular that Isaac was so willing at age 37 to sacrifice himself for Hashem. We discussed how Isaac was chosen by Sarah to be the one to ensure the continuity of our beliefs and ideas known as Judaism which began with Abraham.
We discussed some of the purpose that we have as Jews in the world, to be a “light” onto all nations. We brought monotheism to the world, and have a purpose to represent and be a manifestation of Hashem in the world as well. Abraham was focused on this idea and went on to have children with another wife after Sarah died, in order to spread himself to as many nations as possible. We discussed how we believe that today there is a little bit of Abraham in all corners of the world.
We discussed how everyone has and continues to have a purpose. David shared how his father, Dr. George N Schlesinger, would say there is no such thing as “retirement” in Judaism. When one reaches a certain age, they may decide to no longer have a certain job or career, but continue to have a purpose, which may include inspiring others. David shared about how his great grandfather was a Rabbi who never stopped inspiring others and having learnings at his house.
We discussed how after Isaac came back from his willingness to be sacrificed, Sarah had fulfilled her mission of having a child to ensure our community. She passed away shortly thereafter. On the other hand, Abraham wasn’t through. His purpose was to spread himself to as many future nations and corners of the world as possible, and he found another wife and had more children.
We discussed how the story of Isaac and Rebecca parallels the story with Abraham and Sarah. Just as Sarah saw it as her purpose to ensure our continuity, so did Rebecca. Rebecca chose Jacob for this role, and even went to the extent of disguising him to Isaac, in order that Jacob would be chosen. As we know, Isaac was not focused on continuity and showed a preference for his other son, Esau.
Of course, not all the descendants of Abraham turned out to ensure our continuity. We discussed how the descendants of Ishmael have gone on to become a people who do not share our values. These people believe it is desirable to die and kill others, as we have seen recently on a train in Jerusalem and in Paris. On the other hand, we discussed how the descendants of Esau have done teshuva and share some of our values. For the most part, we live in peace with the descendants of Esau, and many of them support us and Israel.
We discussed how ultimately it is preferable to change people, rather than get rid of them, and we have been able to be a great influence over our world and be a “light onto nations” as Hashem intended. This is particularly true for the descendants of Esau. Unfortunately, we have not been able to change everyone for the better. Our hearts go out to the victims of the recent terrorist incidents in Jerusalem and in Paris. It was recently veterans day, and I would like to thank those who help fight and defend our country, and well as those who help defend Israel.
There are several lessons in the parsha for all of us. Just as Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Rebecca all had a purpose, we all have a purpose in our own lives as well. We can see from the parsha, the importance of the role of woman. We can see that it is always important to have the whole story, and not to make judgement on bits and pieces as people did when Sarah became pregnant the first time. And finally we can see the importance that we each do our own part to help ensure our continuity.
This is a summary of what we discussed. No halachic rulings are intended or should be inferred.
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