Vayeira 5770

So, we're back this week with Parshas Vayeira. Sorry for the break last week. I had a few things come up, and I didn't get a chance to really look at the parsha enough to give anything original--or at least original to me. I didn't want to just post what everyone else was posting, so I just abstained. There's always next year.

So this week's parsha has a few interesting things. We see the destruction of Sodom and the rescue of Lot, the birth of Isaac, and the Akeidah--the binding of Isaac. There are many things that can be discussed and many questions that can be asked. A question that enters my mind when reading this parsha that I have heard echoed by others has to do with Abraham's priorities. In the second aliyah, G-d tells Abraham that He is going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham's response is to argue with G-d in an effort to prevent the destruction for the sake of the few righteous people who may live there. This seems to go along very well with Abraham's demeanor; however, in the final aliyah, G-d asks Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. And, Abraham agrees without question.

And so our question is why would Abraham fight so hard for the sake of people who may not even exist, yet not say so much as a word when it comes to taking the life of his own son?

To find the answer, we have to examine the ways G-d broaches each subject--that of Sodom and Gomorrah, and that of Isaac--to Abraham. Before G-d goes to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, He considers whether or not to hide His actions from Abraham. G-d says, המכסה אני מאברהם אשר אני עשה--Shall I conceal from Abraham what I am doing? Rashi elucidates this, explaining that G-d is saying that it would be improper for Him to destroy Sodom without Abraham's knowledge. I called him Abraham, the father of a multitude of nations. Now, can I destroy the sons without informing the father, who loves Me? [from Gen. Rabbah 49:2]

And so G-d informs Abraham of what He is about to do: ויאמר יה זעקת סדם ועמרה כי רבה וחטאתם כי כבדה מאד ארדה נא ואראה הכצעקתה הבאה אלי עשו כלה ואם לא אדעה--And the Lord said, "Since the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah has become great, and since their sin has become very grave, I will descend now and see, whether according to her cry, which has come to Me, they have done; I will wreak destruction upon them; and if not, I will know." Abraham responds by approaching G-d to defend the city on behalf of the righteous that may be living among the wicked. While the city is ultimately destroyed, Abraham succeeds in convincing G-d to pardon the city if just ten righteous people were present. Once G-d agrees to this, Abraham stops pleading his case, and G-d departs.

By the Akeidah, we see G-d's interaction with Abraham a little differently. He comes to Abraham, saying, קח נא את בנך--Please take your son. And the very next verse reads, וישכם אברהם בבקר--And Abraham arose early the next morning. He agrees to the command without so much as a word. And, therein lies the rub.

The difference between the two is how G-d approached Abraham. In the first instance, He called upon Abraham to act as a Defender for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah--He divulged His intentions to Abraham with the purpose of hearing Abraham's side of the case. In the second instance, however, G-d came to Abraham simply with a command--with a test. And it says, ויהי אחר הדברים האלה והאלקים נסה את אברהם ויאמר אליו אברהם--And it came to be after all these things that G-d tested Abraham, and He said to him, "Abraham."

Abraham proceeded without hesitation because G-d asked him to do something. G-d did not ask for Abraham's opinion or thoughts on the matter, He simply asked him to do it--and Abraham did. He fought for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah because he understood that G-d was coming to him in a different capacity. Given his demeanor, I think it is obvious that Abraham would have argued against sacrificing his own son given the chance. He understood--and so should we--that when G-d commands you to do something, you do it. Part of believing and following the word of G-d is the faith that He will take care of you if you make the effort to keep his commandments. Abraham had this faith, and he passed the ultimate test.

May we use his example to find it in us to have that sort of perfect faith. We have to trust that whatever situation G-d puts us in is ultimately for the best, and if we just follow His Torah, He will take care of us.