D'var Torah - October 15, 2010

D'var Torah - "Welcoming the ‘Stranger’"   Parashat Lech Lecha – Genesis/Bereishit Chapters: 12:1 – 13:18 (Triennial Cycle #1),  October 15, 2010

In one of the most famous parashiyot, God sets Abraham on his Jewish journey:

Genesis 12:1-3 “God said to Abram, 'Go away from your land, from your birthplace, and from your father's house, to the land that I will show you.  I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you great. You shall become a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, and he who curses you, I will curse. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you.’”

And Abraham leaves, although reluctantly (in the Midrash --- be there Friday night for a Midrashic Shabbat).  He begins his and our trek into Jewish history which is to ultimately find us in the land – the land that was promised by God (“Promised Land” - Israel). 

Abraham left all he ever knew because he heard God’s call to him (today we might consider someone hearing God’s voice as needing institutionalization.  Nevertheless, whether with faith or obedience, he leaves.

What does he leave?  A place that worshipped idols (Midrash again).  A place and a people that did not share his values or morals, beliefs or principles.  A place from which he would never return, severing all ties to his past but for his own relatives.

Today, we live in a different environment.  As Jews, we have a place that exists as a home for us all.  But most of us choose not to leave for Israel and aliyah.  Rather, we choose to remain among and related to and friendly with and integrated with our non-Jewish neighbors, spouses, families, etc.  Today, we look at Jewish survival differently from Abraham and perhaps his generation.  We see ourselves thriving here in a mixed community – and creating greater understanding and building bridges in many ways – across divides of religion, color, birthplace nationality, etc. 

But the dream of Abraham remains our dream: to continue to thrive as a Jewish people with our special customs, practices, beliefs, and values we hold dear.

Our mixed society can be our strength; and as long as we understand our own commitment to building that society and our unique contributions to it, we will all strengthen the fabric that is our world.

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Mark S. Kram, Temple Beth Or, Miami, FL

Shabbat Shalom!