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Akeida
Akeida: Business
as Usual
Rebbetzin
Esther Shurin
We who live here in Israel are going through some
very difficult times. I am reminded of Rabbi Soloveitchik’s
and Rav Hutner's famous question on the Akeida.
After Avraham comes down from Har HaMoriya, he hears
about his brother Nachor's family and of the birth
of Rivka. Rashi explains the connection between
the 2 stories as coming from Avraham's thoughts
of what would have happened had Yitzchok died childless,
and his concern now that Yitzchok should marry.
However, Rav Hutner and Rav Soloveitchik ask, why
is the report of Nachor’s family part of the Rosh
HaShana Torah reading? On Rosh HaShana, we are only
interested in recounting the Akeida itself, not
the narrative following it. It must follow that
the story of Nachor and his family is an integral
part of the Akeida itself. How so?
Rabbi Berzon Z”L in his book Dovev Mesharim explains
this idea. Avraham Avinu goes through many difficult
times; he leaves his family and his homeland; he
suffers through many trials and tribulations; he
has to relocate due to famine, he remains childless
until the great age of one hundred, and then, after
all that, as his son is growing up, he is asked
sacrifice him as an offering to Hashem. He goes
through this trauma too, with his great belief and
love for Hashem; then, Yitzchok is saved and he
returns from this scene to hear the news: Nachor
is alive and well far away in Haran, with many children
and a seemingly easy and uncomplicated life, enjoying
his success oblivious to Avraham's suffering. Nachor's
easy and contented life is part of Avraham's Akeida;
Avraham must deal with the great burden of being
the chosen one while the rest of the world goes
about its business happily and without thought for
Avraham's ordeal.
The Jewish people have suffered many Akeidot throughout
our history; our great trouble now is only the latest
in a series of tests that Hashem has put us through.
Maaseh Avot Siman LeBanim, our ancestors’ experiences
are models for our own; even when we do not understand
why Hashem puts us through these troubles, we must
be steadfast in our faith as Avraham and Yitzchok
were in theirs. The unfeeling attitude of the rest
of the world is just one aspect of the Akeida, and
we must believe that the redemption is coming soon.
In the meantime, it is important for us here to
know that our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora
are aware of and involved in our troubles. Do not
let us go through this Akeida alone.
See Andrew White's, 'Solidarity
with Israel' |
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