Towards the end of Chaye Sarah, Isaac and Ishmael come together to bury their father, Abraham in the cave of Machpelah (Gen 25:9). The parsha concludes with the listing of the generations of Ishmael and describing the land where they dwelled.
Towards the end of this week's parsha, Vayishlach, Esau and Jacob come together to bury their father, Isaac (Gen 35:29). The final chapter of the parsha is devoted to the generations of Esau and describing the land where they dwelled.
In the Torah, the lineage of the Jewish people is clear--the covenant between the Israelites and God is passed from Abraham to Isaac to Jacob. But while the children of Ishmael and Esau may not be of our tribe, they are our brethren and our neighbors. That is clear.
As both sets of brothers join together to honor their father, the Jews of Israel must find a way to come together; to be able to live side-by-side; to honor our ancestors. This is the message the Torah has for us in this generation.
08 December 2006
04 December 2005
Vayetzei
On his way to Haran, Yaakov stopped for the night. He dreamt of a stairway set on the ground with it's top in the sky. Malachim (angels/messengers) of God were going up and down. God says to Yaakov, "Your descendents will be spread to the west, east, north, & south...I will protect you and bring you back to this land." Yaakov awoke and said, "Surely, God is present in this place, and I did not know it." He named the place Bethel.
Yaakov continued on his journey, and came to a well, There, he saw Rachel, daughter of his uncle Lavan. She ran to tell her father of Yaakov's arrival, and Lavan took Yaakov into his house. Lavan had two daughters, Leah, the elder, and Rachel, the younger. After a month, Lavan asked Yaakov what he would like to be paid for his wages. Yaakov, who was in love with Rachel, said that he would work for 7 years in exchange for Rachel. Lavan agreed to this.
When the 7 years were up, Yaakov asked Lavan for Rachel to be his wife. Lavan had a party for them, and in the evening brought his daughter Leah to Yaakov as his wife. It was in the morning that Yaakov discovered that his bride was Leah, not Rachel. When he questioned Lavan about the deception, Lavan explained that it is their custom to marry off the older before the younger. He says that once the bridal week is over, he will give Yaakov the younger sister, as long as Yaakov works another 7 years for him. This Yaakov did.
Leah bore Yaakov 4 sons--Reuven, Shimon, Levi, and Judah. Rachel was barren, and envious of her sister. She gave Yaakov her maid, Bilhah as a concubine, saying, "...through her I too may have children." Bilhah bore Yaakov 2 sons--Dan and Naphtali. Leah then gave Yaakov her maid, Zilpah, as a concubine. Zilpah bore Yaakov 2 sons--Gad and Asher. Leah then bore Yaakov 2 more sons and a daughter--Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah. Rachel then bore Yaakov a son, Yosef.
After Yosef's birth, Yaakov told Lavan he wished take his family and return to his homeland. Yaakov work had caused Lavan's herd to greatly increase, and he did not want Yaakov to go. He asked Yaakov what could he pay him to stay. Yaakov asked not for payment, just to have every speckled and spotted and dark-colored animal. Lavan agreed to this, then took all the speckled, spotted and dark-colored animals, gave them to his sons and had them taken 3-days journey away from Yaakov. Yaakov put fresh shoots of poplar, almond, and plane, peeled them to their white parts and put them in the troughs of the goats. Any of the goats who mated by the rods brought forth streaked, speckled, and spotted young. He continued this practice, making sure the strongest of the flocks mated in front of those troughs with the shoots. Thus the weakest of the flock went to Lavan and the strongest of the flock went to Yosef.
Tired of Lavan's duplicitness, Yosef decided to sneak away--take his wives and children and all he had amassed and return to his homeland. Before leaving, Rachel stole her father's household idols. Lavan took after Yaakov, and asked him why he fled in secrecy. He says he will not harm Yaakov because the God of Yaakov's father had appeared to him to warn him against that action. But Lavan wanted to know why Yaakov stole his gods. Without knowing that Rachel had stolen them. Yaakov says that anyone found with Lavan's gods will be killed. Lavan searched the tents of Yaakov and Leah, but did not find the idols. He entered Rachel's tent. Rachel was sitting on the idols. She explained she couldn't rise, "...for the period of women is upon me." The idols remained unfound.
Yaakov complained to Lavan about his mistreatment of Yaakov, while Yaakov did nothing but good work for him. Lavan suggests they make a pact. They set up a stone pillar, a mound of stones, and shared a meal. They swear to not go after each other with hostile intent. In the morning, Lavan left to return home, and Yaakov continued on his way.
Yaakov continued on his journey, and came to a well, There, he saw Rachel, daughter of his uncle Lavan. She ran to tell her father of Yaakov's arrival, and Lavan took Yaakov into his house. Lavan had two daughters, Leah, the elder, and Rachel, the younger. After a month, Lavan asked Yaakov what he would like to be paid for his wages. Yaakov, who was in love with Rachel, said that he would work for 7 years in exchange for Rachel. Lavan agreed to this.
When the 7 years were up, Yaakov asked Lavan for Rachel to be his wife. Lavan had a party for them, and in the evening brought his daughter Leah to Yaakov as his wife. It was in the morning that Yaakov discovered that his bride was Leah, not Rachel. When he questioned Lavan about the deception, Lavan explained that it is their custom to marry off the older before the younger. He says that once the bridal week is over, he will give Yaakov the younger sister, as long as Yaakov works another 7 years for him. This Yaakov did.
Leah bore Yaakov 4 sons--Reuven, Shimon, Levi, and Judah. Rachel was barren, and envious of her sister. She gave Yaakov her maid, Bilhah as a concubine, saying, "...through her I too may have children." Bilhah bore Yaakov 2 sons--Dan and Naphtali. Leah then gave Yaakov her maid, Zilpah, as a concubine. Zilpah bore Yaakov 2 sons--Gad and Asher. Leah then bore Yaakov 2 more sons and a daughter--Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah. Rachel then bore Yaakov a son, Yosef.
After Yosef's birth, Yaakov told Lavan he wished take his family and return to his homeland. Yaakov work had caused Lavan's herd to greatly increase, and he did not want Yaakov to go. He asked Yaakov what could he pay him to stay. Yaakov asked not for payment, just to have every speckled and spotted and dark-colored animal. Lavan agreed to this, then took all the speckled, spotted and dark-colored animals, gave them to his sons and had them taken 3-days journey away from Yaakov. Yaakov put fresh shoots of poplar, almond, and plane, peeled them to their white parts and put them in the troughs of the goats. Any of the goats who mated by the rods brought forth streaked, speckled, and spotted young. He continued this practice, making sure the strongest of the flocks mated in front of those troughs with the shoots. Thus the weakest of the flock went to Lavan and the strongest of the flock went to Yosef.
Tired of Lavan's duplicitness, Yosef decided to sneak away--take his wives and children and all he had amassed and return to his homeland. Before leaving, Rachel stole her father's household idols. Lavan took after Yaakov, and asked him why he fled in secrecy. He says he will not harm Yaakov because the God of Yaakov's father had appeared to him to warn him against that action. But Lavan wanted to know why Yaakov stole his gods. Without knowing that Rachel had stolen them. Yaakov says that anyone found with Lavan's gods will be killed. Lavan searched the tents of Yaakov and Leah, but did not find the idols. He entered Rachel's tent. Rachel was sitting on the idols. She explained she couldn't rise, "...for the period of women is upon me." The idols remained unfound.
Yaakov complained to Lavan about his mistreatment of Yaakov, while Yaakov did nothing but good work for him. Lavan suggests they make a pact. They set up a stone pillar, a mound of stones, and shared a meal. They swear to not go after each other with hostile intent. In the morning, Lavan left to return home, and Yaakov continued on his way.
27 November 2005
Toledot
Yitzchak was 40 years old when he married Rivkah. Rivkah gave birth to twins, Esau and Yaakov. Yitzchak favored Esau and Rivkah favored Yaakov. Esau sold his birthright to Yaakov in exchange for lentil stew.
During a famine, Yitzchak and Rivkah went to Gerar, in the land of Abimelech, king of the Philistines. When any of the men asked about Rivkah, Yitzchak said she was his sister. But when Abimelech saw Yitzchak fondling Rivkah, he asked he why he did that. Yitzchak explained that he was fearful of his life. Abimelech then sent out the command to his people that anyone who touches Yitzchak or Rivkah would be put to death.
Yitzchak grew wealthy in Gerar, and the Philistines envied him, and stopped up all the wells dug in the days of Avraham. Abimelech sent him away. So Yitzchak went to the outskirts of Gerar and redug other wells from Avraham's time. Twice the herdsmen of Gerar disputed their claims to the wells. Finally, a well was dug that was left undisputed. Yitzchak then went to Beersheva, built an altar to God, and his servants began to dig a well. Abimelech came to him there and they swore an oath to each other, a pact of peace.
When Yitzchak was old, his sight failing, he called Esau and asked him to hunt down game and prepare his favorite dish. Yitzchak would then give Esau his blessing before he dies. Rivkah heard this and went to Yaakov. She told him to get two choice kids from the flock and she would prepare the delicacy for his father that Yaakov would then present to Yitzchak. After preparing the dish, Rivkah put Esau's clothes on Yaakov, and covered his hands and other hairless parts with the skins of the kids. Yaakov then went to his father, masquerading as Esau. Yitzchak gave this blessing to Yaakov, thinking he was Esau: "May God give you of the dew of heaven and the fat of the earth, Abundance of new grain and wine. Let peoples serve you, And nations bow to you; Be master over your brothers, And let your mother's sons bow to you. Cursed be they who curse you, Blessed they who bless you."
When Esau came to his father with his dish, Yitzchak realized he had been duped, but what was done was done. When Esau asked his father for a blessing, Yitzchak said he had given the blessing of mastery of all possessions to Yaakov. Esau pleaded with him, and Yitzchak gave him these words, "See, your abode shall enjoy the fat of the earth And the dew of heaven above. Yet by your sword you shall live, And you shall serve your brother; But when you grow restive, You shall break his yoke from your neck."
Esau swore to himself that after Yitzchak dies he will kill Yaakov. This was reported to Rivkah, who told Yaakov to flee to Haran, where her brother Lavan lives. She then told Yitzchak that she did not want Yaakov to marry a Hittite woman, as Esau did. Yitzchak sent for Yaakov and told him to go to Paddanaram, the land of his mother, and take wife from the daughters of Lavan, Rivkah's brother. When Esau realized that his father was displeased with his choice of wives from the Canaanites, he married Mahalath, the daughter of Ishmael.l
During a famine, Yitzchak and Rivkah went to Gerar, in the land of Abimelech, king of the Philistines. When any of the men asked about Rivkah, Yitzchak said she was his sister. But when Abimelech saw Yitzchak fondling Rivkah, he asked he why he did that. Yitzchak explained that he was fearful of his life. Abimelech then sent out the command to his people that anyone who touches Yitzchak or Rivkah would be put to death.
Yitzchak grew wealthy in Gerar, and the Philistines envied him, and stopped up all the wells dug in the days of Avraham. Abimelech sent him away. So Yitzchak went to the outskirts of Gerar and redug other wells from Avraham's time. Twice the herdsmen of Gerar disputed their claims to the wells. Finally, a well was dug that was left undisputed. Yitzchak then went to Beersheva, built an altar to God, and his servants began to dig a well. Abimelech came to him there and they swore an oath to each other, a pact of peace.
When Yitzchak was old, his sight failing, he called Esau and asked him to hunt down game and prepare his favorite dish. Yitzchak would then give Esau his blessing before he dies. Rivkah heard this and went to Yaakov. She told him to get two choice kids from the flock and she would prepare the delicacy for his father that Yaakov would then present to Yitzchak. After preparing the dish, Rivkah put Esau's clothes on Yaakov, and covered his hands and other hairless parts with the skins of the kids. Yaakov then went to his father, masquerading as Esau. Yitzchak gave this blessing to Yaakov, thinking he was Esau: "May God give you of the dew of heaven and the fat of the earth, Abundance of new grain and wine. Let peoples serve you, And nations bow to you; Be master over your brothers, And let your mother's sons bow to you. Cursed be they who curse you, Blessed they who bless you."
When Esau came to his father with his dish, Yitzchak realized he had been duped, but what was done was done. When Esau asked his father for a blessing, Yitzchak said he had given the blessing of mastery of all possessions to Yaakov. Esau pleaded with him, and Yitzchak gave him these words, "See, your abode shall enjoy the fat of the earth And the dew of heaven above. Yet by your sword you shall live, And you shall serve your brother; But when you grow restive, You shall break his yoke from your neck."
Esau swore to himself that after Yitzchak dies he will kill Yaakov. This was reported to Rivkah, who told Yaakov to flee to Haran, where her brother Lavan lives. She then told Yitzchak that she did not want Yaakov to marry a Hittite woman, as Esau did. Yitzchak sent for Yaakov and told him to go to Paddanaram, the land of his mother, and take wife from the daughters of Lavan, Rivkah's brother. When Esau realized that his father was displeased with his choice of wives from the Canaanites, he married Mahalath, the daughter of Ishmael.l
20 November 2005
Chayai Sarah
Sarah dies at the age of 127. Avraham buries Sarah in the cave of Machpelah in Hebron on land purchased from Ephron, son of Zohar.
Avraham sends his servant, the head of his household, to go to Avraham's homeland and bring back a wife for his son, Yitzchak. The servant traveled to the city of Nahor. In the evening, he stopped at a well outside of town and spoke to God. He said that he was there by the well where the women gather water. The woman who would answer his request for water with the offer to also give his camels water would be the one God has chosen Yitzchak. At that moment a beautiful virgin, Rivkah--granddaughter of Nahor, Avraham's brother--came to the spring. When the servant asked her for water, she gave him and then all his camels water to drink. The servant gave her gold jewelry and asked who she was and if he could perhaps stay at her father's house for the night. She told him who she was and offered him a place to stay.
Rivkah ran home to tell her mother's household what just transpired. When her brother Lavan heard the story and saw the gold jewelry, he ran to the well and invited the servant and his camels back to the house to bathe and eat. But before he would eat, the servant first identified himself, spoke of Avraham's riches, and told the story of his coming to find a wife for Yitzchak, and how he found Rivkah. Both Lavan, Rivkah's brother, and Betuel, Rivkah's father, grant her to be Yitzchak's wife. The next day, when the servant prepares to leave with her, her brother and mother ask that he allow Rivkah to stay with them for about ten days before leaving. The servant does not want to be delayed, so they ask Rivkah if she will go with him. She says she will go. Rivkah and the servant depart.
In the evening, Yitzchak was walking in the field when he saw camels approaching. When Rivkah saw Yitzchak, she got down off the camel and asked the servant "Who is that man?" The servant said, "That is my lord." Rivkah covered herself with a veil. The servant told Yitzchak all that he had done. Yitzchak brought Rivkah into his mother's tent and she became his wife. He loved her, and was comforted after his mother's death.
Avraham took another wife, Keturah. She bore him sons. Avraham gave gifts to those sons and sent them to the land of the East. Avraham willed all his possessions to Yitzchak.
Avraham died at the age of 175. Yitzchak and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah. Yitzchak settled near Be'er l'chai ro-ee. Ishmael's line is then listed. Ishmael dies at 137. He is gathered to his kin, who lived near Egypt.
Avraham sends his servant, the head of his household, to go to Avraham's homeland and bring back a wife for his son, Yitzchak. The servant traveled to the city of Nahor. In the evening, he stopped at a well outside of town and spoke to God. He said that he was there by the well where the women gather water. The woman who would answer his request for water with the offer to also give his camels water would be the one God has chosen Yitzchak. At that moment a beautiful virgin, Rivkah--granddaughter of Nahor, Avraham's brother--came to the spring. When the servant asked her for water, she gave him and then all his camels water to drink. The servant gave her gold jewelry and asked who she was and if he could perhaps stay at her father's house for the night. She told him who she was and offered him a place to stay.
Rivkah ran home to tell her mother's household what just transpired. When her brother Lavan heard the story and saw the gold jewelry, he ran to the well and invited the servant and his camels back to the house to bathe and eat. But before he would eat, the servant first identified himself, spoke of Avraham's riches, and told the story of his coming to find a wife for Yitzchak, and how he found Rivkah. Both Lavan, Rivkah's brother, and Betuel, Rivkah's father, grant her to be Yitzchak's wife. The next day, when the servant prepares to leave with her, her brother and mother ask that he allow Rivkah to stay with them for about ten days before leaving. The servant does not want to be delayed, so they ask Rivkah if she will go with him. She says she will go. Rivkah and the servant depart.
In the evening, Yitzchak was walking in the field when he saw camels approaching. When Rivkah saw Yitzchak, she got down off the camel and asked the servant "Who is that man?" The servant said, "That is my lord." Rivkah covered herself with a veil. The servant told Yitzchak all that he had done. Yitzchak brought Rivkah into his mother's tent and she became his wife. He loved her, and was comforted after his mother's death.
Avraham took another wife, Keturah. She bore him sons. Avraham gave gifts to those sons and sent them to the land of the East. Avraham willed all his possessions to Yitzchak.
Avraham died at the age of 175. Yitzchak and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah. Yitzchak settled near Be'er l'chai ro-ee. Ishmael's line is then listed. Ishmael dies at 137. He is gathered to his kin, who lived near Egypt.
13 November 2005
Direct Lines to God
In this parsha, God converses with Avraham twice, once with the discussion of Sodom and Gomorrah; once to tell him to sacrifice Yitzchak. God speaks with Avimelech in a dream vision. And then there are all of God's emissaries. Three "anashim"-men-come to see Avraham and give him news that he and Sarah will have a son. Two "malachim" -angels? messengers?-come to see Lot, taking him out of Sodom. A "malach" of God appears to Hagar, assuring her of the survival of her son, Ishmael. Another malach--or maybe the same one?-tells Avraham not to sacrifice Yitzchak, assuring him of many descendants.
So much communication between God and humans. Is is just a sign of the times--God's involvement in our story is crucial at this point? I really don't have any answers, I just was struck by this as I was writing the summary. I have seen commentaries on each individual part of the story, but not one noting how much Godly intervention there is. Something to investigate this week.
As usual, if you have any comments or ideas on this or any other part of the parsha, please add a comment. My summary is below, or you can read the entire parsha by clicking on the title of the summary. Let me know what you think.
So much communication between God and humans. Is is just a sign of the times--God's involvement in our story is crucial at this point? I really don't have any answers, I just was struck by this as I was writing the summary. I have seen commentaries on each individual part of the story, but not one noting how much Godly intervention there is. Something to investigate this week.
As usual, if you have any comments or ideas on this or any other part of the parsha, please add a comment. My summary is below, or you can read the entire parsha by clicking on the title of the summary. Let me know what you think.
Vayera
Three men came to Avraham in his tent. One told Avraham than he and Sarah would have son. Sarah heard this, and laughed in disbelief that she could bear a child at her advanced age.
God wants to know whether or not the people of Sodom and Gomorrah are still so sinful that they will be destroyed. Abraham argues with God, pleading for mercy for the sake of even 10 innocent people that may live there.
Two "malachim" (angels? messengers?) came to Sodom, and Lot invited them to his house. All men of Sodom circled Lot's house and demanded that he turn them over to him so they might "know him" (in the Biblical sense). The malachim told Lot to take his wife and daughters and flee for their lives and don't look back. God destroys Sodom and Gomorrah with brimstone and fire. Lot's wife looks back and became a pillar of salt.
Thinking no men were left on earth, Lot's daughters, on two successive nights, got their father drunk, lay with him and conceived a son by him.
While traveling, Avraham once again has Sarah pose as his sister. When King Avimelech of Gerar has Sarah brought to him. God comes to Avimelech in a dream. God understands that Avimelech did not know that Sarah was married to Avraham, a prophet. But now Sarah must be returned to Avraham. Avimelech released Sarah back to Avraham, along with sheep, oxen, slaves, and 1,000 pieces of silver.
Sarah gives birth to Yitzchak. Sarah has concerns about Ishmael, Hagar's son, and tells Avraham to send both of them away. Left alone in the wilderness, a malach (angel? messenger?) of God tells her not to be afraid, that a great nation will come from Ishmael.
Avraham rebukes Avimelech over a well that his servants had seized. This was the first Avimelech had heard of this. Avraham and Avimelech make a oath to each other, agreeing that the well dug at that place--called Be'er Sheva--was Avraham's well.
God tells Avraham to take Yitzchak to Moriah and offer him as a sacrifice. Avraham takes Yitzchak up the mountain. Avraham builds the sacrificial site, bound Yitzchak and lays him on top of the wood. As Avraham takes the knife to slay his son, a malach of God calls to him, telling him not to harm Yitzchak--it is now known that Avraham is in awe of God. Avraham sees a ram caught by it's horns, and offers it up as a sacrifice instead. Through the malach, God once again states Avraham's blessing, that his descendants will be "numerous as the stars of heaven and the sands on the seashore."
The parsha ends with the lineage of Nahor, Avraham's brother through both is wife Milcah and his concubine, Re'umah. Rifkah is the granddaughter of Nahor and Milcah.
God wants to know whether or not the people of Sodom and Gomorrah are still so sinful that they will be destroyed. Abraham argues with God, pleading for mercy for the sake of even 10 innocent people that may live there.
Two "malachim" (angels? messengers?) came to Sodom, and Lot invited them to his house. All men of Sodom circled Lot's house and demanded that he turn them over to him so they might "know him" (in the Biblical sense). The malachim told Lot to take his wife and daughters and flee for their lives and don't look back. God destroys Sodom and Gomorrah with brimstone and fire. Lot's wife looks back and became a pillar of salt.
Thinking no men were left on earth, Lot's daughters, on two successive nights, got their father drunk, lay with him and conceived a son by him.
While traveling, Avraham once again has Sarah pose as his sister. When King Avimelech of Gerar has Sarah brought to him. God comes to Avimelech in a dream. God understands that Avimelech did not know that Sarah was married to Avraham, a prophet. But now Sarah must be returned to Avraham. Avimelech released Sarah back to Avraham, along with sheep, oxen, slaves, and 1,000 pieces of silver.
Sarah gives birth to Yitzchak. Sarah has concerns about Ishmael, Hagar's son, and tells Avraham to send both of them away. Left alone in the wilderness, a malach (angel? messenger?) of God tells her not to be afraid, that a great nation will come from Ishmael.
Avraham rebukes Avimelech over a well that his servants had seized. This was the first Avimelech had heard of this. Avraham and Avimelech make a oath to each other, agreeing that the well dug at that place--called Be'er Sheva--was Avraham's well.
God tells Avraham to take Yitzchak to Moriah and offer him as a sacrifice. Avraham takes Yitzchak up the mountain. Avraham builds the sacrificial site, bound Yitzchak and lays him on top of the wood. As Avraham takes the knife to slay his son, a malach of God calls to him, telling him not to harm Yitzchak--it is now known that Avraham is in awe of God. Avraham sees a ram caught by it's horns, and offers it up as a sacrifice instead. Through the malach, God once again states Avraham's blessing, that his descendants will be "numerous as the stars of heaven and the sands on the seashore."
The parsha ends with the lineage of Nahor, Avraham's brother through both is wife Milcah and his concubine, Re'umah. Rifkah is the granddaughter of Nahor and Milcah.
04 November 2005
Lech Lecha
Let the leave-taking begin.....
God tells Abram "to leave his land, his kindred, his father's house and go to the land I will show you." Abram, along with Sarai, his wife; Lot, his nephew; and his whole entourage and went to Canaan. Along the way, Abram built two alters to God.
There was a famine, so Abram traveled to Egypt. As they approached Egypt, Abram told Sarai to tell the Egyptians that she is his sister, so they will not kill me. When the princes of the Pharaoh saw the beautiful Sarai, they took her to Pharaoh's house, giving Abram many sheep, oxen, donkeys, servants, asses and camels. Because of this, God put great plagues upon Pharaoh and his house. Pharaoh summoned Abram and said, "Why didn't you tell me she was your wife! Take her and go!" Pharaoh had Abram escorted out of Egypt with all he had acquired.
Abram and Lot traveled together, each with their immense flocks, herds, and tents. When a quarrel broke out between their herdsmen, Abram told Lot to choose which way to go, right or left, and he would go the other way. Lot chose to go east to Jordan, and he settled near Sodom. Abram settled in Canaan.
The alliance of the kings of Shinar, Ellasar, Elam and Goyim fought a series of wars with the alliance of the kings of Sodom, Ammorah, Admah, Tziboyim and Tzoar. Sodom and Ammorah were seized, with the victors taking all the property of the towns. Lot, Abram's nephew, became a captive and was taken away when the invaders left Sodom. When Abram heard this news, he gathered 318 men of his household and went in pursuit of the captors of Lot. Abram's force defeated the invaders, and Lot and all his property were freed.
The king of Sodom came out to meet him. King Melchizedek of Salem, a priest of "Ail Elyon", God Most High, brought bread and wine and blessed Abram: "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your foes into your hand." Abram gave him a tenth of all he possessed.
Some time after this, God came to Abram in a vision. God promised the childless Abram that he would produce heirs, "Look toward heaven and count the stars . . . so shall your offspring be." God once again promises that this land will be possessed by Abram's descendents. God tells Abram that his offspring "shall be strangers in a land not theirs, and they shall be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years," but in the fourth generation they will return.
Abram's wife Sarai, was barren. She told Abram to take her servant Hagar as a consort so that Sarai could have a son through her. When Hagar conceived, Sarai was lowered in her esteem. This upset Sarai, who treated Hagar harshly. Hagar ran away, but was convinced by an angel of God to go back, telling her that her offspring would be numerous and that her son, Ishmael, would be "a wild ass of a man; His hand against everyone, And everyone's hand against him; He shall dwell alongside of all his kinsmen." Hagar returned and Ishmael was born.
God reaffirms his covenant with Abram, changing his name to Abraham--"Ab-Raham," the father of many. As a sign of the convenant, God says that every male shall be circumcised when he is eight days old. God also changed Sarai's names to Sarah, and blessed her with the promise of a son, Isaac. Abraham laughs, unbelieving that a child could be born to a couple so old. God also blesses Ishmael with the promise that his offspring will be numerous and will become a great nation. But the covenant will be established with Isaac, who will be born in one year. Abraham had his son Ishmael and all the males in his household circumcised.
--------------------------------
When you start studying Torah as an adult, there's always this amazement of what is there and what isn't there. For example, the story of Abraham destroying his father's idols is midrash, a story. It's not in the text. But Abraham as warrior, defeating the armies of the 5 kings and the homage paid to him by the mysterious Melchizedek of Salem is something they never taught me in Hebrew school, although that is there.
Who is Melchizedek - King of Righteousness? He is a priest of God, the Creator--the same God as Abraham's God? He is from Salem--could that be Jerusalem, a city sacred to so many now and, maybe, then? How does he know of Abraham and his God? Is he a messenger of God, there to precede the giving of the covenant? Does he serve as a test for Abraham, who gives him a tithe, a tenth of all he possesses--a tithe to God?
I have no answers, just questions. If you have answers, share them. If you have more questions about this or anything else in the parsha, pose them. Just click on comments and spark some discussion.
Lech Lecha
God tells Abram "to leave his land, his kindred, his father's house and go to the land I will show you." Abram, along with Sarai, his wife; Lot, his nephew; and his whole entourage and went to Canaan. Along the way, Abram built two alters to God.
There was a famine, so Abram traveled to Egypt. As they approached Egypt, Abram told Sarai to tell the Egyptians that she is his sister, so they will not kill me. When the princes of the Pharaoh saw the beautiful Sarai, they took her to Pharaoh's house, giving Abram many sheep, oxen, donkeys, servants, asses and camels. Because of this, God put great plagues upon Pharaoh and his house. Pharaoh summoned Abram and said, "Why didn't you tell me she was your wife! Take her and go!" Pharaoh had Abram escorted out of Egypt with all he had acquired.
Abram and Lot traveled together, each with their immense flocks, herds, and tents. When a quarrel broke out between their herdsmen, Abram told Lot to choose which way to go, right or left, and he would go the other way. Lot chose to go east to Jordan, and he settled near Sodom. Abram settled in Canaan.
The alliance of the kings of Shinar, Ellasar, Elam and Goyim fought a series of wars with the alliance of the kings of Sodom, Ammorah, Admah, Tziboyim and Tzoar. Sodom and Ammorah were seized, with the victors taking all the property of the towns. Lot, Abram's nephew, became a captive and was taken away when the invaders left Sodom. When Abram heard this news, he gathered 318 men of his household and went in pursuit of the captors of Lot. Abram's force defeated the invaders, and Lot and all his property were freed.
The king of Sodom came out to meet him. King Melchizedek of Salem, a priest of "Ail Elyon", God Most High, brought bread and wine and blessed Abram: "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your foes into your hand." Abram gave him a tenth of all he possessed.
Some time after this, God came to Abram in a vision. God promised the childless Abram that he would produce heirs, "Look toward heaven and count the stars . . . so shall your offspring be." God once again promises that this land will be possessed by Abram's descendents. God tells Abram that his offspring "shall be strangers in a land not theirs, and they shall be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years," but in the fourth generation they will return.
Abram's wife Sarai, was barren. She told Abram to take her servant Hagar as a consort so that Sarai could have a son through her. When Hagar conceived, Sarai was lowered in her esteem. This upset Sarai, who treated Hagar harshly. Hagar ran away, but was convinced by an angel of God to go back, telling her that her offspring would be numerous and that her son, Ishmael, would be "a wild ass of a man; His hand against everyone, And everyone's hand against him; He shall dwell alongside of all his kinsmen." Hagar returned and Ishmael was born.
God reaffirms his covenant with Abram, changing his name to Abraham--"Ab-Raham," the father of many. As a sign of the convenant, God says that every male shall be circumcised when he is eight days old. God also changed Sarai's names to Sarah, and blessed her with the promise of a son, Isaac. Abraham laughs, unbelieving that a child could be born to a couple so old. God also blesses Ishmael with the promise that his offspring will be numerous and will become a great nation. But the covenant will be established with Isaac, who will be born in one year. Abraham had his son Ishmael and all the males in his household circumcised.
--------------------------------
When you start studying Torah as an adult, there's always this amazement of what is there and what isn't there. For example, the story of Abraham destroying his father's idols is midrash, a story. It's not in the text. But Abraham as warrior, defeating the armies of the 5 kings and the homage paid to him by the mysterious Melchizedek of Salem is something they never taught me in Hebrew school, although that is there.
Who is Melchizedek - King of Righteousness? He is a priest of God, the Creator--the same God as Abraham's God? He is from Salem--could that be Jerusalem, a city sacred to so many now and, maybe, then? How does he know of Abraham and his God? Is he a messenger of God, there to precede the giving of the covenant? Does he serve as a test for Abraham, who gives him a tithe, a tenth of all he possesses--a tithe to God?
I have no answers, just questions. If you have answers, share them. If you have more questions about this or anything else in the parsha, pose them. Just click on comments and spark some discussion.
Lech Lecha
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)