Comments (0)Be A Blessing
Parshat Lekh Lekha
October 30, 2009Rabbi Gila C. Ruskin
Special to the Jewish Times
Be a blessing. What an odd imperative. Has anyone ever directed you to be a blessing? “Be a mentsch.” Yes, I’ve heard that. “Be a success.” “Be a contender.” But “Be a blessing?” In this week’s Torah reading, God has directed Abraham to go forth from his father’s house to the land that God will show him and then, in one short verse, lists in rapid succession the future promises: a great name, a great nation, that all the nations of the earth shall be blessed or cursed through Abram. In the middle of this verse God commands him to go out there and “be a blessing.”
For we descendants of Abram the imperative still stands. But how does one fulfill this? Observing the life of Abram, we can develop a “how-to” manual of ways to be a blessing.
Be generous. When Abram’s herdsmen and his nephew Lot’s herdsmen quarreled over grazing land, Abram offered Lot his choice of land for dwelling and grazing. When Lot chose the more fertile land, Abram was gracious.
Be patient. Although God had promised descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand of the seas, Abraham and Sarah had to wait for decades for this. Long after Sarah’s childbearing years, God sent the miracle of Isaac’s conception and birth. Abraham very patient.
Be faithful. When God commanded Abraham to take his beloved son Isaac up to Mount Moriah to be bound as a burnt offering, Abraham maintained the steadfast faith that “God will provide the lamb for the sacrifice, my son.”
Be diplomatic. In Canaan, and on a journey to Egypt, Abraham interacted with local chieftains. By being deferential and clever, he handled difficult political situations with wisdom. Treaties were established and boundaries respected. The tribal leaders were all invited to Isaac’s weaning.
Be prepared. Although he was hardly a military general, when the situation arose that Lot was captured in a battle between five kings, Abraham mustered his standing army of 318 men. Because he had prepared for any exigency, Abraham was able to redeem his nephew from custody.
Be hospitable. Even while recovering from a circumcision at age 99, Abraham sat at the portal of his tent, awaiting passersby who needed water, food and shelter.
Be humble. The king of Sodom offered ample booty, but Abraham replied that he would not accept a thread or a shoelace, because his wealth comes from God. When Abraham negotiated with Ephron for the Cave of Machpelah, Abraham paid the amount instead of exerting influence as a prominent chieftain.
Be present. As they ascend the mountain, moment when Abraham would certainly rather be elsewhere, he remains totally present with Isaac: physically, emotionally and spiritually. When Isaac calls him “Father,” he answers, “Hineni, b’ni” I am here with you, my son.” He then remains with him until descending the mountain.
Advocate against injustice. When God shares with Abraham the plan to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of their iniquities, Abraham seeks to understand how the Judge of all the earth could perpetrate such injustice. He advocates for the people of the doomed cities, requesting that God spare them if a mere ten righteous people be found within.
Be prescient. When Sarah dies, Abraham wisely sends his servant to find the proper wife for Isaac from the old country. He realizes that Isaac will need a strong partner, one untainted by idolatry and loyal to the covenant of the family and God.
There you have it, the “how-to” manual for how to be a blessing, in emulation of our revered ancestor, Abraham Avinu. Shabbat Shalom.
Rabbi Gila C. Ruskin is the spiritual leader of Temple Adas Shalom of Havre de Grace.