Vayeira

Vayeira Shabbat November 3, 2012

 (G 18: 2) Vayomer kach-na et-bincha et-yechidecha asher-ahavta et-Yitzchak velech-lecha el-eretz haMoriyah veha'alehu sham le'olah al achad heharim asher omar eleicha. And G-d commands and instructs Abraham, "Please take your son, your only one, who you love – Yitzchak (Isaac) - and go to the land of Moriyah. Sacrifice him as a burnt-offering on one of the mountains which I will designate to you." G-d truly tests Abraham’s devotion and reverence by commanding him to sacrifice Isaac atop Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. So Abraham (The Father) bounds & places his son, Isaac upon the altar, and raises the knife to sacrifice and slaughter his own……………… A Booming Voice is heard from above, the heavens,..To stop Abraham, and to miraculously grab A passing Ram by the horns, and spare his own child, and offer the Ram as the SACRAFICE! This just really appears as yet one more “test” G-d puts in front of Abraham..to test his reverence and to show that to the population of Abraham’s Kingdom, Or is it? Actually this quote unquote test, showed NO Altruistic, selfish benefit for Abraham or could be seen in that manner –This was THE TEST! Alienated on top of a mountain with NO witnesses! If he, Abraham offered his son as a sacrifice (something G-d despised), it would show that Abraham followed the prior tests that G-d put forth upon him as proof, as if he killed his son, all the work towards the reverence of G-d and monotheism would be gone and the preverbal torch would be extinguished……………… G-d spared Isaac’s life and let Abraham know that he did INDEED pass this 10th test with an A plus and honestly proved himself to ALL, especially to that of G-D! G18:16 - 18 And G-d declares, “That because you performed this deed, and did not withhold your son, Isaac, I will greatly bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars of the sky, and like the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will inherit the gate of their enemies. Through your children, will be blessed all the nations of the world, because you heeded MY voice." Allow me to share and paraphrase the following from THE SCROLL – CHABABAD.ORG, “The Chassidic masters say that when we have the opportunity to give and there is NO glory, and it does not feel glamorous, and there is NO reciprocity in sight, we have been given a gift. It’s the chance of egoless sacrifice.” PRETTY POWERFULL AND IMPACTFUL! (Pause, SILENCE) As Jewish people (or any persons for that matter), when do WE really and honestly turn to G-d and revere and well…. talk out loud…be it in prayer, be it in silence, be it daily, be it in our homes, or in are OUR Shuls, be it when we hurt, be it when we are in desperate NEED and have “may be” disbelief or in Awe! Life! Life Cycles; good, indifferent and not so good: This brings us to… Catastrophic Happenings, such as Mother Nature brings the Word, “G-d” to one’s very tongue and lips, “WHY G-D!?” In the United States East Coast, WE were just hit with a catastrophic happening and horror- SANDY! (Silence) Over 50 people reported to date have died; people have lost homes, pets, family members, power, and so much more…..Their Physical MEMORIES and family heirlooms! I am sure the utterance of the almighty was yelled out, whispered, some in sincere prayer and reverence to G-D, and others mumbling and screaming due to their hurt, their losses, and their frustrations. (whew) My heart, love and sincere prayer extend to ALL people/animals involved. Be they Jewish, green, polka dotted, stripped, and black.white,yellow.brown.magenta, and of all other beliefs. The New Jersey Coast basically is NO longer that of the old painted picture or photos! The Subways in NY ceased operations. The 3 or 4 major airports serving the area closed. WALLSTREET CLOSED! Life was most definitely altered and put on hold! Wait for just a moment; “my words..”Life was ….Put on hold”…I stand corrected; Just the opposite; Life is sacred and we, the people do act upon….act upon circumstances and hopefully go on AND LIVE! I am confident in this time of need of our brothers and sisters on The Eastern Sea Board, Millions of people are speaking to G-d….many questions/few answers yet,…… BUT contact to G-d!! The acts of Mother Nature, helps bring out our direct communications to G-d, and some of us do happen to speak daily, “ Thank G-d for allowing me to wake up with 2 arms,2 legs……” But when acts or I should say, FREAKS of Nature occur; it brings us closer in a sense to G-d and OUR VERY OWN Spirituality! We, as Jewish People believe in G-d, AND ….OUR AWARENESS is often questioned when “something” of magnitude transpires. A Test, like that of Abraham?!!! I can’t give a 100% answer of , YES!!!!! “A” test, yes….But of what magnitude??? What I can tell you is ,…. The speaking to, the awareness of, the sincere prayer, the inquiries, the eyes, the hearts and the souls when CATASTROPHY hits, we ALL turn to G-d! Be it a test of our belief, of our strengths, of our weaknesses, or a just an occurrence that has US thinking ………… OUR ALMIGHTY G-D!!!! I ask of all you in our congregation, to please pray for, AND if you are able to give a small (or any) donation to help all people in need that are and were effected by Sandy, to please do so…anonymously! And that is a TRUE GIFT indeed! -Amen