ספר בראשית פרק
יח פסוק כג וַיִּגַּשׁ אַבְרָהָם וַיֹּאמַר הַאַף תִּסְפֶּה צַדִּיק עִם רָשָׁע: (כד) אוּלַי
יֵשׁ חֲמִשִּׁים צַדִּיקִם בְּתוְֹ הָעִיר הַאַף תִּסְפֶּה וְלֹא תִשָּׂא
לַמָּקוֹם לְמַעַן חֲמִשִּׁים הַצַּדִּיקִם אֲשֶׁר בְּקִרְבָּהּ: (כה) חָלִלָה
לְּךָ מֵעֲשׂת כַּדָּבָר הַזֶּה לְהָמִית צַדִּיק עִם רָשָׁע וְהָיָה כַצַּדִּיק
כָּרָשָׁע חָלִלָה לָּךְ הֲשֹׁפֵט כָּל הָאָרֶץ לֹא יַעֲשֶׂה מִשְׁפָּט:
I’m grateful to be a descendant of Avraham who demonstrated his care and love for all of humanity and did everything in his power to avoid killing innocent ‘civilians.’ He dared to stand up against G-d and his compassion extended even beyond Divine compassion. This attitude of care for human life has been reflected in the Jewish people ever since Avraham set his example to plead for the people of Sodom.
The Role Model of Jewish Leadership Shows Compassion and Care for
Humanity
Rabbi Yonatan Sacks explains how Avraham’s encounter with Hashem
was the very first time a human being challenged G-d Himself. The people of
Sodom were not Avraham’s brothers and sisters, so he was going beyond even what
he did in rescuing Lot when he prayed on behalf of the people of Sodom. He did
so because he understood the idea of human solidarity, immortally expressed by
John Donne: No man is an island, Entire of itself … Any man’s death diminishes
me, For I am involved in mankind (John Donne, Devotions Upon Emergent
Occasions, Meditation XVII). G-d himself hinted to Avraham to challenge him saying,
וַהָשֵׁם אָמָר הַמְכַסֶּה אֲנִי מֵאַבְרָהָם אֲשֶׁר אֲנִי עֹשֶׂה: (יח) וְאַבְרָהָם הָיוֹ יִהְיֶה לְגוֹי גָּדוֹל וְעָצוּם וְנִבְרְכוּ בוֹ כֹּל גּוֹיֵי הָאָרֶץ:
Avraham’s pleading to protect the lives of the people of Sodom obviously wouldn’t be able to change Hashem’s mind, so why did Hashem reveal His plan to destroy Sodom to Avraham? Rabbi Sacks explains that since Avraham was to become the role model and initiator of the Jewish people, he had to have the courage to challenge G-d if his descendants were to contest human rulers. We Jews walk in Avraham’s footprints and rather than accepting the evil in the world, we challenge it in the name of what the world ought to be. This is a critical turning point in human history: the birth of the world’s first religion of protest – the emergence of a faith that challenges the world instead of accepting it. Avraham took moral responsibility and became the first role model of Jewish leadership (Based on Rabbi Yonatan Sacks, Covenant & Conversation, Answering the Call, וירא Vayera • 5774).
Why is the World Blinded from Perceiving That Israel Has the Right to
Defend Itself?
By giving the civilians in Gaza warnings of forthcoming attacks and
encouragement to leave to save their lives, IDF continues Avraham’s legacy. By
disclosing their upcoming move and sacrificing the benefit of surprise attacks,
the Israeli army allows themselves to be at a disadvantage for the sake of humanity.
Is it IDF’s fault that Hamas cares less about the lives of their own people
than Israel does? Why is Israel being condemned when the civilians of Gaza
could be saved if only the Hamas terror group wouldn’t continue to use the
residents of Gaza as human shields and prevent them from evacuating to the
south, by threats and placing barriers? If the various defenders of human
rights would care just a tiny bit about Israel’s right to exist, as well as
about the lives of the civilians in Gaza, then instead of sending them
financial help used for terrorism against Israel, they would help those who
don’t support Hamas relocate to a safer place. Unfortunately, in war, it is
impossible to avoid casualties. Why can’t the world media understand the difference
between purposely targeting civilians like Hamas, and Israel who are trying to
avoid hurting the innocent by all means? Why are world leaders blinded from
perceiving that Israel has a right to defend itself and that Hamas couldn’t
care less about their own people, whose lives they purposely endanger, to force
IDF to cause casualties? Why is Israel accused of war crimes, genocide, ethnic
cleansing, and more when we are up against a heinous enemy no less evil than
the people of Sodom upon which the compassionate G-d decreed total destruction?
Anyone Who Deviates from Evil is Deemed Insane
I believe the answer to all these questions is found in the Talmud which predicts the various signs of redemption. One such sign of redemption is that truth will be lacking.
תלמוד בבלי מסכת סנהדרין דף צז/א והאמת נעדרת שנאמר ותהי האמת נעדרת (וסר מרע משתולל) מאי ותהי האמת נעדרת אמרי דבי רב מלמד שנעשית עדרים עדרים והולכת לה מאי וסר מרע משתולל אמרי דבי רבי שילא כל מי שסר מרע משתולל על הבריות…
…And the truth will be lacking, as it is stated: “And the truth is lacking [ne’ederet], and he who departs from evil is negated” (Yeshayahu 59:15). What is the meaning of the phrase: And the truth is lacking [ne’ederet]? The Sages of the study hall of Rav said: This teaches that truth will become like so many flocks [adarim] and walk away. What is the meaning of the phrase: “And he that departs from evil is negated”? The Sages of the study hall of Rabbi Sheila said: Anyone who deviates from evil is deemed insane by the people (Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 97a).
Yes, truth is lacking and those deviating from evil are certainly called insane today. When a bill repealing sections of the 2005 Disengagement Law was passed in its first reading in the Knesset plenum in March 2023, labor leader Merav Michaeli told Army Radio it “gives the crazy settlers permission to do whatever they want in Judea and Samaria, and to hell with Israel’s security.” Would Merav dare to claim that the disengagement from Gush Katif (the thriving Israeli communities in Gaza) brought greater security to Israel and the world?
Gratitude
Focus for the Week of Parashat Vayera
- Give Thanks to the Soldiers – Fill your heart with gratitude for our dear soldiers and guards who risk their lives to protect us. Whenever you pass by a soldier, thank him for protecting you. You can also express your gratitude by bringing the soldiers goodies, or even more important vital things like masking tape, a tourniquet, a first aid kit, and black markers. Pray for the protection of our soldiers daily and dedicate learning and mitzvot to their safety.
- Notice how the Current War is Making People Rise to Their Higher Selves – Since this war began I’ve noticed how people including myself are trying to better ourselves. After initially having said “no” to welcoming a difficult person to my home as a Shabbat guest, because I was so overwhelmed with all my responsibilities, I immediately regretted it and called her back to invite her. The guest was very grateful and exclaimed, “Thank you, this is really the right thing to do at this time.” Her words reflected my own penitent thoughts. This war is helping us become better people and do the right thing, however challenging it may be.
- Discern the Goodness of the People in Your Lives – Pay attention to how the current war is affecting the people around you to become better people. Notice their effort to be more kind and helpful. Feel gratitude for the nice things people in your life are doing or saying and express your gratitude to them.
- Smile – and show a positive attitude to everyone who crosses your path.
- Thank Hashem for the War – How can we thank Hashem for our current grueling war situation where blood is being spilled and our lives and especially the lives of the soldiers are in danger? This level of gratitude is a tall order to fill. Rebbe Nachman of Breslev teaches that before a person is granted a miracle, he is tested with trouble. The bigger the miracle he is about to receive, the bigger the test and trouble. When we look at our troubles, trials, and tribulations, through the eyes of emunah and thank Hashem for them, because we strongly believe that everything Hashem does is for the best, then we merit a major miracle. With this attitude of gratitude, let’s try thanking Hashem for all our hardships, even for the war.
- Try Making the Following Statement of Emunah – “Hashem, I know that everything You do is absolute loving kindness. And I know that You always do what’s best for me. Therefore, I know that this awful war is for my ultimate good, to test my emunah and correct my soul. I want to express my appreciation!” When the person decides to be strong in emunah, the din/judgment turns into rachamim/mercy; the severe judgments become loving-kindness. The belief in Hashem turns the harsh trial into a tremendous deliverance! He who is happy with tribulations sees salvation. One who withstands tribulations receives miracles. (Rebbe Nachman, Sefer Hamidot).
- Accept Hardships and Stop Complaining – Besides the war, I’ve been going through some difficult upsetting challenges lately. My natural inclination is to complain about it, and the people who are causing me these hardships. After having fallen into that trap, I pulled myself up and thanked Hashem for my challenges realizing that surely, this annoying hardship was sent by Hashem for a reason. Most likely I must go through this pain to atone for mistreating someone inadvertently. So, instead of being upset about it, I work on welcoming this suffering, realizing how it cleanses my soul!
- Keep the Attitude of Gratitude – Whenever we find ourselves in a very difficult situation without understanding the process let us keep the attitude of gratitude and connect the seemingly inexplicable with trust in the Creator! When we preserve the attitude of gratitude under duress, then with Hashem’s help the most beautiful outcome manifests.
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