I hope that you all have enjoyed hearing from some of the amazing educators at RMBA. The beauty of Torah is how many perspectives and approaches we can all bring to the table. Just as we design for our students, different personalities and perspectives are vital as we create a unique landscape for our students to explore their Jewish identity and roles. That is exactly how I feel about the book of Bereishit.
In this week’s parsha, Parshat Lech Lecha, we find Avraham being guided by Hashem to leave his homeland, then his family, only to stumble through a famine, head to Egypt, get kicked out in an attempt to protect his wife and then to find himself in the midst of a war amongst the dueling nations. It does not come as a surprise that Avraham would be somewhat skeptical as to the validity of the image of Avraham and Sarah being the start to the Jewish people.
וַיֹּאמַ֑ר אֲדֹנָ֣י יֱהֹוִ֔ה בַּמָּ֥ה אֵדַ֖ע כִּ֥י אִֽירָשֶֽׁנָּה׃
[Avraham] said to Hashem, “How will I know that I will inherit [the land].
Avraham is told by Hashem to collect a cow, a goat, a ram and two birds that will ultimately be cut in half and laid on the ground forming a pathway between the animals. Avraham will be directed to pass through this pathway and ultimately forge a bond, a covenant, with Hashem known as the Brit Ben HaBesarim, the covenant of the parts. This unusual moment has no replica anywhere else in the Torah and comes as a bit of a shock to most of us. What exactly is taking place here?
The Netziv, Rav Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin, the Rosh HaYeshiva in Volozhin, wrote a commentary on the Torah called HaEmek Davar, the depths of the words. He has a fascinating explanation as to what is taking place. The Netziv explains that Avraham was indeed worried as to how he could be the one to inherit the land of Israel if it was currently inhabited by other nations who have a deeper claim to the land. Hashem responded by asking Avraham to conduct a ritual correlated with the animals usually brought at korbanot, whose root word indicates that this act is meant to build a true connection between Hashem and the Jewish people. That connection is what represents the Jewish people’s bond to the land.
The Netziv is highlighting two important ideas. First, that our connection with the land of Israel stems from our connection to Hashem and, second, that our connection can only be forged through actions that bind us together. In an age where connections are limited to pushing a like button or following someone on social media, this message is important for us to open ourselves to listening to. Yet, that is not where this scene ends.
The parsha should move on to the next scene but doesn’t. What comes next, says the Netziv, is why this moment is captured in our parsha.
וַיְהִ֤י הַשֶּׁ֙מֶשׁ֙ לָב֔וֹא וְתַרְדֵּמָ֖ה נָפְלָ֣ה עַל־אַבְרָ֑ם וְהִנֵּ֥ה אֵימָ֛ה חֲשֵׁכָ֥ה גְדֹלָ֖ה נֹפֶ֥לֶת עָלָֽיו׃
The sun set and a deep sleep fell onto Avraham and a great dark dread fell upon him.
The scene of fear, dread, uncertainty and worry sets the stage for Hashem to declare to Avraham that His covenant with him will last forever and represents His ultimate commitment to the Jewish people. Seems like Hashem thought that meeting Avraham, alone, in a dark alley would elicit the most comforting of feelings. Not sure if I would feel the same.
The Netziv explains that Hashem designed the experience purposely. It is easy to have faith and believe when everything is clear, well drawn out and in front of you. Turn off the lights, and everything changes. Avraham was thrown into a deep sleep, unprotected from the elements around him and not being able to clearly see. Yet, even in that moment of sheer fright, Hashem paints a picture of redemption and salvation. True emunah, faith, doesn’t come when it is easy. It comes when things are the hardest.
Over the past few weeks we have banded together as a community and Jewish people in support of our brothers and sisters in Israel. We have launched campaigns, we have prayed, engaged in learning and we have shown the world what it means to be part of the Jewish people. As we continue to strive for our efforts and their merits to be what ends this war, I have found myself wondering, “What then?” What happens when this war ends, when the people of Israel are able to return to their regular lives and when the world’s tensions quiet? Will we still be as dedicated to learning, tefillah, chesed, community integration and speaking out against injustice especially when it doesn’t hit close to home?
Avraham needed to learn what real faith in Hashem meant when all seemed lost and the path forward was dark and unclear. He needed to learn that so that he would have the ability to retain that faith especially when the sun shone bright. It is easy to pray when we are suffering and in need. It is difficult to pray when everything seems good. Avraham reminds us that both are required as we forge a real lasting relationship with Hashem.