Lead Tidbit Part of the answer is that the Torah shows us what G-d asked of the Avot and Imahot and how they reacted, and we are to learn from them what G-d wants of us and how we are supposed to react. Sometimes, the lessons are straightforward and literal. Sometimes they need reshaping and modification for our own situations. Sometimes they are even negative - meaning, don't do the same thing. Learn from the good and... less good, and become a better person and better Jew by being more like the fathers and mothers of our nation. When G-d commanded Avraham to leave his birthplace, etc. and go to Eretz Yisrael, G-d was speaking to every one of Avraham's descendants who live outside of the Land of Israel. When G-d told Avraham to "Walk before Me and be complete", He was commanding all Jews to bind themself to serve HaShem and to be complete of faith by prevailing in all tests of faith that Life throws your way (see Rashi). When Avraham went to fight a difficult war in order to save his nephew, we learn what we must be prepared to do for our family. When he refused financial reward from the king of Sedom and sanctified G-d's name by his behavior, then we have a role model for our own lives. What about leaving Eretz Yisrael during hard times?
Complicated. Mixed reviews among commentaries. So too with the Hagar and
Yishmael episode. [The Parshat Lech
Lecha
Homepage]
|
