http://whatthetorahteachesusaboutsurvival.com/Torah_Commentary/Entries/2011/11/11_Serving_files/widget36_markup.html

http://whatthetorahteachesusaboutsurvival.com/Torah_Commentary/Entries/2011/11/11_Serving_files/widget36_markup.html Click on the link to read. I salute all the wonderful people who serve/served to preserve our freedoms! I salute you!

http://whatthetorahteachesusaboutsurvival.com/Torah_Commentary/Entries/2011/11/3_Becoming_files/widget37_markup.html

http://whatthetorahteachesusaboutsurvival.com/Torah_Commentary/Entries/2011/11/3_Becoming_files/widget37_markup.html

Begin the journey of life!

Becoming

 When we begin Lech Lecha, our parashah for the week, Abraham is 75 years old.  It is at this time in his life when Adonai tells him to go to where you will be, find yourself, begin becoming... all these and others are interpretations of Lech Lecha.  Our parashah takes us from this point in Abraham’s life up to his circumcision.  The circumcision being a symbol of the covenant Adonai made with Abraham and the Jewish people.  In between, a lot happens in his life, including his and Sarah’s renaming by Adonai.  They were Abram and Sarai, you may recall.  

        Abraham was told by Adonai to go “to the land that I will show you” - Canaan - and relatively soon afterwards, there was a severe famine, so he took Sarah, Lot, and those with them, to Egypt.  This happens, recorded story-wise, just after Abraham arrives in Canaan, where Adonai tells Abraham to go, and then blesses Abraham.  Did you ever think about why,  just after he did what he was told, and received blessings from Adonai for doing so, then builds an altar and praises Adonai, Abraham goes to Egypt?  From what is written, Abraham’s going to Egypt was done without any complaints or even questions for Adonai.  Abraham didn’t even appear to wonder about this.

        How many of us could take this situation in stride and not complain, not ask Adonai questions, and not even wonder?  Let us not forget, by this time in his life, Abraham had experienced quite a lot - he was 75-years old, after all.  He also had been teaching others about Adonai before his own personal, unequivocal encounters with Adonai.  We know he taught others about Adonai, because the Torah records in Genesis 12:5 how Abraham basically took his wife, nephew, wealth, and “the souls they made in Haran”.  At the end of the last parashah, we are told Sarah was barren, so we know the “souls they made” weren’t their own children.

        It is also curious that when Abraham arrived in Canaan, he and his family moved around and didn’t settle anywhere there.  This happens virtually at the beginning of the recorded story of Abraham.  Everything that happens to Abraham and his family in this parashah, he simply, humbly, graciously, and matter-of-factly seems to accept.  We are talking about such things as the famine, the Pharaoh’s taking Sarah for himself, war, and the kidnapping of Lot, amongst other things.  By themselves, all of these would be considered very traumatic events.  

        It isn’t so much Abraham doesn’t participate in attempting to fix his own problems, but why doesn’t he even ask Adonai for help?  In fact, the only thing Abraham questions Adonai about, until the end of our parashah, is when he asks Adonai about his heirs.  He only did this because Adonai kept telling him his offspring would inherit Canaan.  Ishmael is born to Hagar and Abraham in this parashah, and Adonai tells him, no, he isn’t the one who will inherit Canaan; rather, he will have a son with Sarah, his 89-year old wife, the child will be named Isaac, and it will be Isaac and his progeny who will be the ones to inherit Canaan, and who will keep the covenant.  It is at this point we learn of an emotion felt by Abraham:  that of joy due to Adonai’s promise of a son through his wife Sarah.  Just before this, Adonai changed Abraham’s and Sarah’s names to reflect they will be the father of nations, and the princess of nations, respectfully.

        Another time in this parashah we are told of an emotion of Abraham’s, which is that he was full of dread when Adonai showed him the future of our people in Egypt.  Genesis 15:12 tells us “...a dread! great darkness fell upon him.”  This tells me, at least, Abraham not only was more concerned with those who would come after him than he was for himself, but also, his heart deeply felt for others, to the point of feeling deeply depressed in learning the fate of his offspring.  Both times we are told of Abraham’s emotions, they were profound emotions felt for others.

        We learn quite a lot from this parashah, but what I want to point out is Abraham’s unconditional love for Adonai, along with his complete trust, faith, and awe of Adonai.  Abraham teaches us that no matter how much we may be blessed by Adonai, there will still be pain and trauma in our lives.  Abraham was tested - why should we be any different?   He teaches us we are each important to this world not only because of what we do and say, but more importantly because of our connection to each other, and to our future.  

        No matter how blessed we are, we must receive these blessings for the purpose of giving to others.  Each person is not a type of contained vessel, but more akin to a mirror.  It isn’t about the light we receive, but how well we reflect and share the light.  Had Abraham’s life been easy, wonderful, and carefree after he had reached Canaan, and had personal conversations with Adonai, the lesson would have been entirely different.  Adonai told Abraham not only that he would be blessed, but he should bless others, as others would bless themselves through him.  He was told he should “be a blessing” in Genesis 12:2.  

        Clearly, this means he would not only receive abundance from Adonai, but also that he should receive in order to share.  He understood that everything we have comes to us because Adonai allows it; therefore, do not be afraid to share what you have with others, as it will only lead to receiving even more.  Be a part of a continuum, not a hoarder of blessings.  It is precisely because of the traumatic moments in his life that allowed others to practice sharing their own blessings with him.  

        Sometimes things will go well for us personally, and other times, not so much.  When you are the one used to giving, it may be very difficult to accept there are times you will need to be the one to allow others to do the same for you.  If you are a giver, you understand what I am speaking of here.  Each of us has multiple opportunities to experience both giving and receiving.  If you don’t ever receive, you aren’t allowing others to experience the joy of giving.  As strange as it may feel or sound, it is actually selfish not to allow others their chance to help you in whatever way possible.  It is a flow of energy which we are a part of, spiritually speaking.  If some people were only givers, and others only receivers, we would effectively be a bunch of endpoints of energy.  Abraham understood and accepted this graciously.  

        He didn’t even take the reward offered to him after the war of the kings.  He was offered all the money, cattle, and “objects,” and asked only to allow the king making the offer to retain his subjects.  Had Abraham accepted this, or even part of it, he would have been taking from those who were already down and out.  This was not the time to be the receiver, as one shouldn’t take from another if it will cause the other hardship.  He understood there are also limits to when we should receive.  He expected nothing, as he helped in the war because it was the right thing to do.  He participated in life because he understood he was part of the flow of energy.  

        He did accept money and bounty from the Pharaoh of Egypt for his attempting to marry another man’s wife.  Abraham, by accepting what Pharaoh offered, knew he wouldn’t be putting Pharaoh in the position of losing so much he would jeopardize his kingship, and he also knew Pharaoh needed to give at that point in order to try to make amends.    Abraham lived his life as an example of leadership at its best.  

        Abraham was sent to his destiny, not his destination.  He was journeying towards his future, and in so doing, was always evolving, always becoming.  

        I hope I have given you a lot to think about!  I’d love to know what you think!  

        Shabbat Shalom!  May you be blessed, and may your life be a blessing!

Spiritually Yours,

Laura Weakley