What does Abraham Teach us about Veteren's Day?
Sermon 11-14-08 “What does Abraham teach us about Veteran's Day?”
Last Sunday, CBS show “Sunday Morning” had a great segment on Veterans:
“Giving Thanks To Vets, Vegas-Style” Nov. 9, 2008
Since 2001 more than one-and-a-half million Americans have served in
Seven thousand miles and a world away, Sheldon Adelson (a veteran himself) is on a mission: to make our troops a priority again. And he wants us to start with a simple "thank you," because he thinks they aren’t being thanked enough. He and his wife Miriam wanted to set an example, so they opened their hearts - and their wallets - and that's saying something, considering Sheldon Adelson is CEO of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, and worth an estimated $26 billion.
Adelson started bringing wounded veterans to
From the moment they landed - the thanks started pouring in … first from a surprise guest, Lance Armstrong. "As an American, as a father of three young kids, thank you," he told them. "Thank you for your service, and thank you for helping to defend our freedom and our great country." This was nothing compared to what was waiting for them at the Venetian … a full-blown walk of heroes. "It seemed to me that every person in Las Vegas was there to meet us, clapping and cheering," said one veteran. "
There have been three trips so far, with more planned. To the Adelsons, it's not about the money: "The reason why we're willing to come and talk about it is not because we want any 'Atta boys' for it. What we wanna do is say to other people, 'Why don't you do something, too?' "Somebody's gotta put their arm around them and say, 'We love you, we care for you, and here's our way of saying 'thank you.'"
"A simple 'thank you' means the world," said a veteran. "You know, it doesn't have to be extravagant. No matter what's going on in your life, no matter how bad your day may be, when somebody just turns around and shakes your hand, they look you in the eye and they say 'Thank you,' those two words mean a lot to me, personally, and to other Marines that I've spoken to." "There's no greater feeling than knowing that you give something that not only your mother's proud of, not only your sister says, 'Good job,' but the entire country says, 'Thank you,'" said Ray Hubbard. "Every time they say it, I say, 'It was a pleasure to serve, and thank you.'"
Adelson – filling his own jets to take vets and their wives to Vegas – all expenses paid. Wounded veterans hit the jackpot with a free trip to Las Vegas.
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Adelson must have known this parasha well – this week’s Torah portion – Vayera. It’s chock-filled with material from the announcement of Isaac’s future birth to the destruction of Sodom & Gemarrah. Why? Because he exhibits one of Abraham’s key qualities – his concern for others, and his great sense of hospitality for the stranger.
Parshat Vayera begins:
"God appeared to Abraham in the groves of Mamrei, as he was sitting at the door of the tent in the heat of the day. [PAUSE] He lifted his eyes and saw three men standing near him. [PAUSE] He saw them, and ran from the door of the tent to greet them. And he bowed down to the earth. He said, "If I have found favor in your eyes please do not bypass your servant." "Let a bit of water be brought and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree." (Bereishit (Genesis) Chapter 18, verses 1-4).
It seems as if God starts to appear to Abraham and then in the middle of it all he gets up to run after some travelers! Is this appropriate conduct towards the Almighty? Would you put God on “on hold”?
And what was the purpose of God’s visit? What did God want to say to Abe? There are several questions:
1) Why did God visit Abraham then?
2) What message did God wish to convey to Abraham?
3) What is the point of this narrative?
The central theme of the story is God’s and Abraham’s kindness and compassion. Abraham as the paradigm of hospitality, of kindness to strangers, care for the disadvantaged and weak. See the manner in which God visits the sick Abraham. See the way that Abraham, recovering from an operation, responds with haste and enthusiasm as he runs to draw guests into his home. The words “run”, “quick” are repeated over and over as Abraham hurries to attend to these strangers’ every need. He personally supervises the kitchens; he acts as a waiter serving their food. He also accompanies them on their way to their next destination, not letting them leave without an escort.
We learn that the value of hospitality overrides the Holy presence of God. God waited, preferring that Abraham attend to needy strangers than attend to Him. God will wait!
What did God want to tell Abraham when he appeared? We have a possible answer. The moment the three visitors leave, God says:
“Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do ... for I have singled him out that he may instruct his children ... to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is just and right ... And the Lord said ‘The outrage of Sodom and Gemorra is great, and their sin so grave’” (18:16-20)
God was about to tell Abraham how he was planning to destroy Sodom. But why does he bother to tell Abraham at all? Was it not because God knows who Abraham is – a man of high ethical standards!!! God taught him to do that which is “just and right.” God wants Abraham to understand why God deems it “just and right” to destroy an entire city. And that is because Abraham is the one man on earth who epitomizes kindness to all. In other words, regardless of who you are, you are invited into his home unquestioningly; and you are escorted back into the desert after. But if you are the paradigm of unhospitality, you’re a goner!
So, when God finally tells Abraham his secret about destroying those cities, Abraham’s reaction is loaded with passion and outrage:
“... Abraham came forward and said ‘Will you sweep away innocent along with the guilty? [Abraham negotiates:] What if there are fifty innocent people within the city; will you then wipe out the place and not forgive it...? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to bring death upon innocent as well as the guilty... Shall the Judge of all the earth not deal justly?’” (18:23-25)
Abe even challenges God’s ethics! But the people of Sodom & Gemarrah practiced the grossest lack of hospitality. Abraham couldn’t even come up with 10 decent people to save the city.
His outrage is well-founded for he was a person of compassion. This is the role model of our faith and no less, of our spiritual father.
But among the most unfortunate things at times today is the LACK of hachnasat orchim that our government and our population had for returning vets. WWI and WWII were different. Soldiers returned as heroes and were celebrated as such. One picture burned into our psyches is a sailor grabbing a young girl in the crowd of a parade in NY in 1945 and embraced her in a long kiss.
For Vietnam vets it was different. Those that went were drafted. They had no choice but to go. Sure there were also volunteers who wanted to do our country’s bidding and serve. Today’s veterans were volunteers most, but also young men and women who repeatedly returned to battle in a war which many question and all want to get out of.
Is it so far out of our consciousness not to treat our vets as Abraham treated complete strangers. Abraham believed that the only way for him to attain godliness was through acts of goodness and kindness. We see that he was unconcerned with the identity or status of his guests and focused on their needs. We learn that kindness needs be extended to all – regardless of personal creeds or lifestyles.
Our veterans served our nation proudly and deserve the love, respect and admiration we should give. We owe them. They earned it. That includes care, health care, rehabilitation and preparing them to re-enter society. To build their lives, have families, find careers, build homes and raise kids. Continue to give to their country as we do by being productive members of society. For them, beyond the heroism of war.
Where are more Adelsons – for every conflict?! And what is our role in welcoming our veterans back?
The lesson for us is clear. As Abraham's descendants, we have inherited this trait of kindness and can attain godliness by showing goodwill to our fellow man. I believe that this is the message that we must all take from this week's parasha. So tonight, we pay honor to those who wore the uniform of our country. Thank you! Thank you! We Honor you for your sacrifices and for your devotion. May we act as the children of Abraham – offering the same kindness and compassion that Abraham would have.
AMEN