VaYeira- The Sacrifice

As I write this entry, my thoughts are filled with the war Israel is fighting against HAMAS terrorists in Gaza, and terrorists in Syria, Yemen, and Lebanon. The atrocities HAMAS perpetrated on innocent civilians are unbelievable. I worry for the Israeli soldiers. I worry for the 240 innocent hostages. This tragic reality has made me reform my thoughts about today’s Torah reading.

Bird’s Head Haggadah,  1290, Southern Germany

“Akeidat Yitzchak” is a distressing story. It is read daily in our morning prayers. It is a cornerstone of our literature and has figured in Jewish art throughout the centuries.  

 God promises Avraham they will be the parents of a great nation. A nation so numerous that the population would exceed the number of stars in the sky. Avraham and Sarah wait decades to have a child. First, they have a child with a “surrogate” mother- Hagar. Then, years later, they have another son. Sarah is 90 years old when she gives birth to Yitzhak, or Isaac. As time passes, Sarah disapproves of Ishmael as a role model for Isaac and has Avraham send him and his mother away. 

Later, God tells Avraham to take Isaac to Mount Moriah and sacrifice him there. Avraham doesn’t argue. To protect Sarah, Avraham doesn’t tell her what he and Isaac are about to do. He and Isaac walk up the mountain together. Can we begin to imagine what Avraham is thinking? He is with his son. The son he has raised. The son whom he loves. Avraham protects Isaac as long as he can, carrying the dangerous materials, the knife and the fire, while Isaac carries the kindling.  As they go up together Isaac asks, “Avi, (my father, or Daddy,) where is the sacrifice?” Avraham answers that God will provide. And it’s all true. God provides a sacrifice. And Isaac survives.

 

Beit Alpha Synagogue Mosaic 5th C. CE

Can we relate to a father sacrificing his child? I think of the parents who have children serving in the Israel Defence Forces today. Parents give birth to sweet, innocent babies. As they grow up, Israeli babies and exceptional Jewish babies from outside of Israel become soldiers. Parents with conflict in their hearts send them to protect our nation of Israel, praying that it will be OK. That their children will be safe. That the nation will be fine. The children go, knowing this is their role as Israelis and Jews. How can we send our children into that kind of danger? We can’t. We don’t want to. But we do.

I transfer these thoughts to Avraham. Avraham and Sarah were chosen to begin a new nation. They were selected because they believed in one God, in justice, in honour, and in the sanctity of life. The nation they created would become “a light unto the nations.” When Avraham made a covenant with God he was ready to sacrifice what he held most dear to ensure the survival of the promised nation.

Rembrandt, 1636

Isaac trusted that his father and God were right. If Isaac was to be part of the covenant, he had to participate in the way he was called upon to participate. He had to be ready to sacrifice himself. And Sarah? Sarah had to stay home, to worry, pray, and wait, as parents of soldiers do today. 

Abraham and Isaac, Rembrandt, 1645

We raise our children for joy and peace. But at a breaking point, we have to send them to fight. October 7, 2023 was a breaking point. This war is a fight for our survival. We each do what we can. Some of us, with pain in our hearts, see our children go to war. Some write letters of protest, attend rallies, pray, send money, send food, send clothing, provide shelter, or art, or babysitting, or music, or a hug and a shoulder to cry on. It’s all important. We win when we are united.

Listen to this beautiful song by Lea Shabat called “Avraham.”

https://www.google.com/search?q=lea+shabat+sings+%22Avraham%22&rlz

May we see peace. May our hostages be returned healthy in mind and body. May we experience no more war.

Shabbat Shalom, Laya

Lyrics:

Avraham, what courage, How you walked until the end.

In the morning you woke up, How did you feel going up?

How many tears I have shed over you? And shed on myself through you?

Avraham, How you were one, And after One, you followed

Outside of everyone, You heard only Him

Avraham,  And Yitzchak knew nothing,  And he walked with his father

What is more than a father, Each one walked with his father

How many tears have I shed over you? And shed on myself through you?

Avraham

Miracles and Humility

art by Laya Crust

This year, 2017 or 5777, we read the Torah portions for Tazria and Metzora on the same Shabbat. Both of the protions deal with the laws pertaining to an affliction called “tza’arat” which is commonly translated into the English word “leprosy”. It isn’t the same as leprosy however. It was a condition that affected people’s skin. But it could also affect their homes and their walls. It was a punishment for certain sins,particularly speaking negatively about another person.

The haftarahs take place during the time of Elisha the prophet. Jerusalem was under seige and the Jews were starving due to fammine. In the haftarah  Tazria, a young Jewish slave recommends that her Aramean master go to Elisha to be cured. Her master, Naaman.  follows her advice and is indeed cured.

art by Laya Crust

The second haftarah tells the story of four lepers who are sent outside the gates of Jerusalem- they are essentially in quarantine. They are starving as are the Jews in the city. They come across an abandoned Aramean camp filled with food, clothing and precious goods. After having their fill of food they tell the city about the camp and this alleviates the starvation.

One element the two stories have in common is that the lowest, most overlooked members of the population are key to saving the protagonists. In Tazria a young slave girl helps an Aramean army captain become cured of tza’arat. In Metzorah four banished men save the people of Jerusalem.

art by Laya Crust

Yom Ha’Atzmaut- Israel’s Independence Day- is a reminder that the smallest can overcome greater forces. Tiny, unprepared Israel overcame huge enemy forces in 1948. In 1967 once again Israel conquered the attacking surrounding countries. It happened again in 1973. These victories were miraculous, and are evidence of God’s invisible help. To recognize that we say the “Hallel” prayers on Yom Ha’Atzmaut. 

The victories, although miraculous, did not come easily or without a steep and painful price. Many lives were lost defending Israel- most of them the lives of young soldiers cut down at the beginning of their paths. The day before Yom Ha’Atzmaut we observe Yom haZikaron and recognize the sacrifices of those who died defending  Israel’s sovereignity and right to exist; and defending the lives of Israeli citizens. Following is an 11 minute film dedicated to those fallen heroes, posted by United With Israel.

https://unitedwithisrael.org/watch-a-moving-tribute-to-fallen-idf-soldiers/

Throughout Israel on Yom Ha’Atzmaut there will be barbecues, music, parties and celebration. Light up YOUR barbecue- and celebrate too!

With blessings for peace, Laya