The Tree of Life

motzei Shabbos reflections: Vayeira 5784

“If the Holy One, blessed be He, were to require all my members, I would not delay.” – Targum Yonaton on Genesis 22:1, sefaria.org

According to Targum Yonaton, Ishmael challenged Isaac, concerning the inheritance, claiming that because he was more righteous he should receive the inheritance. “Izhak responded and said, Behold now, today I am thirty and six years old; and if the Holy One, blessed be He, were to require all my members, I would not delay” (ibid; see above). The following test ensued, to see if Isaac was sincere in his words – he was to be brought up as an offering on Mount Moriah.

This rendering is the perspective given from the vantage point of Isaac, who went willingly with his father Abraham. We are not our own; and, our children are gifts from G-d. Abraham’s acknowledgment of G-d’s commandment to give up what was most precious to him, namely his son, Isaac, was a demonstration of this tenet. In a way, he would have only been giving back to G-d what had been given to him. (This may be challenging to understand, unless one reflects upon this).

The Torah states, v’haelokim nisa, that G-d tested Abraham, thus connoting the ordeal that Abraham was being placed under to test his character, commitment, and devotion to H’Shem. Commentary explains that the Hebrew word, נסה (nisa) is rendered by the Midrash as having the connotation of being “elevated,” like a נס (banner). Each of Abraham’s ten trials elevated him in character to a new level, a heightened spiritual stature, until the tenth test, wherein he reached the pinnacle of his personal development in regard to his faith in H’Shem.

Yet, Isaac was willingly about to give up his own life in order to serve H’Shem. And, who amongst Israel would be willing to yield their life to G-d’s decree? Without realizing it, whatever situation that we are put in life, this is where G-d expects us to be. We do not know what may be required of us.

H’Shem’s blessing is upon us, when we serve Him wholeheartedly; regardless of the outcome, we may be assured that it is ultimately for our benefit, as well as others. Despite how we might think, if circumstances appear to be negative, we should think, “into your hand, shall I entrust my spirit.” Our personal salvation is dependent upon nothing more than G-d’s attention to every detail in our lives. He would not give us a challenge that would be more than we are able to face.

parasha Vayera 5784

weekly Torah reading: parasha Vayera 5784- Abraham’s Tenth Trial

“And He said, “Take your son, your favored one, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a [olah] burnt offering on one of the heights that I will point out to you.” – Genesis 22:2, JPS 1985 Tanach

The pinnacle of Abraham’s trials occurred when he was commanded to bring his son, Isaac up onto a mountain as an offering. Isaac was heir to the legacy of Abraham, in line to serve as patriarch of the next generation. Yet, despite the incongruency of the command, with the promise of the blessing to have many descendants, Abraham responded out of obedience to H’Shem. One might equivocate, stuck in cognitive dissonance; yet, not Abraham, who trusted that there must be a hidden reckoning of the two mutually exclusive communications from G-d. On the one hand, Isaac was to be his heir; on the other hand, Isaac was to be brought up as an offering.

This was the tenth and final test of his faithfulness towards G-d. Unparalleled resolve was necessary on the part of Abraham, to follow through with G-d’s commandment to bring his son, Isaac as an offering to the mountain shown to him. Prior to this, Abraham trusted in G-d, to follow His directives, despite all of the challenges, ramifications, and risks involved. Now, he acceded to the command to give up Isaac, his only son, who was destined to carry on the legacy, mission, and message of the One True G-d.

How can this be? Abraham reconciled the dilemma in his mind, realizing that H’Shem would bestow His grace upon Isaac. in a miraculous way. Abraham trusted in H’Shem; knowing that He would be able to resurrect Isaac, as implied by the Zohar, whereof the beracha (blessing), “Blessed is He who quickens the dead,” is attributed to Abraham, right before he was about to offer up Isaac.

Catalyzing Change

In the film Bonhoeffer, the German anti-Nazi pastor, who founded the Confessing Church that opposed Nazism, is being compelled to join the German military resistance against the Nazis. He is hesitant at first, until he is shown secret documents and photographs detailing the atrocities committed against the Jewish people. This evidence catalyzes his conscience to accept becoming part of the resistance against Hitler. And, it is the continued documentation of the horrors of the Holocaust that serve as a testimony to the horrendous crimes of the Nazis.

Flash forward to the current cultural climate, wherein the atrocities of Hamas are being ignored, denied, and overlooked in favor of ideological deception. What will it take to compel others to see the ugly truth? As awful as the evidence is to view, if this is what it takes to incline others to reconsider their support for Hamas, and vilification of Israel, then it may be a necessary step, in order to promote moral clarity.

If the Leftist ideologues and pawns are able to still have their conscience twinged, then, perhaps there is hope for some of them. They are awash in a sea of inhumanity, perhaps, without realizing that their own inhumanity is seriously at risk. Change starts within a person, inasmuch that his or her beliefs can be challenged. This is a must, to make the effort to bring the truth to those who have been deceived, as well as challenge the deceivers (read: “ideologues”).

In regard to intervening, when attempting to compel someone in a cult to “wake up to the agenda” and lies of the group, it is necessary to present the evidence that will serve as “disconfirming information,” in that person’s belief system, in order to compel that person to see the light. That is what must also be done for those who are caught up in the cult of the so-called social justice movement commonly referred to as Wokism.

A Morsel of Bread

It occurred to me, that there is a simple lesson that can be drawn from Abraham’s encounter with the three angels. When Abraham says to them, “I will fetch a morsel of bread” for you, he was speaking out of modesty, as well as deference to his angelic visitors. Commentary reads, that the righteous say little and do much. So, when Abraham brough back a meal that constituted a small feast, his actions served as a testimony to his righteousness.

In practical application, my thoughts are the following: When attempting to dialogue with others about important topics, especially, if viewpoints collide, giving someone a little bit of information, i.e., only “a morsel,” may eventually make a greater impact, if said with thoughtfulness, out of respect toward the other person. This may be better than attempting to overwhelm the other person, perhaps, inadvertently, with too much information, that might only compel the other to become defensive.

I speak from experience, inasmuch that I fear that I often end up overwhelming others with too many words, as if I am trying to assert myself and my own viewpoints. I think that it better to let others reflect on a few choice words, spoken in sincerity. With that in mind, words will not seem bitter in taste to the other person. And, perhaps, the ideas conveyed will also be more easily digested.

Although, this brief rendering of a practical application of Torah may seem like a tangent, I felt compelled to speak my mind, in hopes that these words in and of themselves will make an impression on others. Especially, because this is such a significant topic – how to converse with others in a divided world – I hope that this could make a small dent in the rampant divisiveness between individuals, and groups of people today. Respectfully yours, Tzvi Fievel

Abraham’s Calling

weekly Torah reading: parasha Lech Lecha 5784

“Now the L-RD said unto Abram: ‘Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto the land that I will show thee.’” – Genesis 12:1, JPS 1917 Tanach

According to the Midrash, Abraham arrived at the realization that there was only one G-d, Who was the Creator and Ruler of all things. He realized this monumental truth, based upon his rational inquiry into the nature of all things. Although his father was an idolater, and the land from where he was from was steeped in idolatry, he was a thinker extraordinaire, who went above and beyond the narrative norm, in search of the truth. Abraham pondered upon the brilliance of the sun that disappeared at night, and the moon that diminished at dawn. Therefore, Abraham realized that there must be a Creator the rules both the sun and the moon.

Another explanation given, as to how Abraham became the first monotheist, is based on a mashal (parable): A sojourner once passed a palace that had a candle burning inside. He asked himself, isn’t there someone in charge of this building? In like manner, Abraham thought to himself, that, surely, there must be someone in charge of the world. In response to Abraham’s inner question, H’Shem replied, “I am the Master of the world.” (Bereishis Rabbah 39).

Going beyond the plain sense of the midrash, the meaning may be further rendered as such: the candle in the mashal (parable) may be understood as symbolic of the soul. According to this rendering, then, Abraham was really asking, Who is the Lord of my life? Abraham demonstrated that H’Shem was the L-Rd of his life, when in faith, because of his prior introduction to G-d, he responded immediately to G-d’s call. When Abraham was called by H’Shem, lech lecha, to go to a land that would be shown to him, he left everything behind him for the sake of the journey.

Pray for the Captives

Thus saith the L-RD: even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered; and I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.”

– Isaiah 9:25, JPS 1917 Tanach

Some Things Never Change

Claims of genocide in Gaza? I addressed this lie, about a decade ago, in a letter-to-the-editor at a campus newspaper, wherein an OpEd writer made the claim:

dvar Noach 5784

“The dove came back to him toward evening, and there in its bill was a plucked-off olive leaf. Then Noah knew that the waters had decreased on the earth.” – Genesis 8:11, JPSN

According to Genesis Rabbah, the olive leaf that the dove brought to Noah was plucked from a tree on the Mount of Olives, inasmuch that “the land of Israel was not inundated by the Flood” (Ramban, Genesis 8:11, sefaria.org), based on the verse, “a land not rained upon in the day of indignation” (Ezekiel 22:24). This implies a parallel between the judgment that fell upon the earth in Noah’s time, and that of the future, although not in the form of an actual flood, as promised through the sign of the rainbow.

Another view contends that “The gates of the garden of Eden were opened for the dove and from there she brought the leaf” (ibid.). This can be construed as an allusion to Gan Eden in Heaven, implying a connection to the peace of renewal bestowed upon the world, after the flood, as compared to the peace of restoration brought with the promise of chayei olam (eternal life) for the righteous, after the Geulah (Redemption) and Tehillas haMeisim (Resurrection of the Dead).

After the flood, the Ark rested upon Mt. Ararat, the highest mountain in the world at that time. In the future, after the flood of opposing voices to G-d that will carry many astray, the prophet Isaiah writes of those who remain true to H’Shem, “Even them will I bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer; their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices shall be acceptable upon Mine altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples” (Isaiah 56:7, JPS 1917 Tanach).

Lettered

This flock has followed

in the footsteps of shepherds –

ever since its inception, told

in pages that have been lettered

with divine truths, folded

within the collective memory

of a people emboldened

by faith, prayer, and a history

of covenantal relationship

with the Almighty.

Israel will Prevail

In the still of the night,

in the early hours of the morning,

when there is no sign of light,

there is no time for adorning

oneself with endless fantasies

of who one would like to be,

by ignoring the actualities

that exist for all of humanity.

Rather, there is only time

to huddle with the teams of angels

assigned to strengthen the line

of defense against the enemy.

The true test of life

with all of its challenges

is how we deal with strife,

as the world rearranges

itself, turning chaos into order,

when the kedoshim prevail

over the destructive forces

that threaten Israel.