by Rabbi David Woznica
“Go forth from your native land and from your father’s house to the land I will show you” (Genesis 12). These are the words God speaks to Abram (Abraham’s original name) in this week’s Torah portion, Lech Lecha. It’s also the first divinely commanded journey.
God then makes a series of promises and predictions to Abraham. Now, nearly 4 millennia later, let’s see what happened.
“And I will make you a great nation”
The Jewish nation (as a people) have had great influence on the world. That is acknowledged by both those who admire the Jews and by those who don’t.
“’I will bless you”
While Abraham faced many challenges he led a blessed life, filled with meaning and material success.
“And I will make your name great”
Abraham is seen as the Father of the Jewish people and his name is great. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam trace their roots to him. Jews of every denomination invoke Abraham’s name in their daily prayers.
“I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you”
This promise and prediction has the greatest moral implications and history has reflected its’ accuracy. The nations of the earth that have seen Jews as a blessing (welcoming Jews and giving them equal rights) are among the best countries in which to live. The United States, France, Canada, the United Kingdom, among many other countries, value liberty and freedom for all their citizens. And those countries have prospered.
Conversely, countries historically hostile to Jews (that have “cursed” the Jews) such as Iraq, Algeria, Yemen, Russia (this list, alas, could fill this page) are plagued with terrible human rights records. The nations that tortured and degraded Jews have been cursed and are not places where those seeking freedom pine to live.
It would behoove the leaders of nation’s bent on harm to Israel or to Jews to reverse course and instead see Jews and Israel as a blessing. As great a benefit as it would be to the Jews, the benefit to the citizens of those nations would be exponential.
“And all the families of the earth shall bless themselves by you”
Israel has been a light to the nations, and Abraham was the vehicle to bring the idea of one transcendent God who cares most about righteous behavior of humanity. That promise shapes much of our world today and should animate all who embrace these ideals to advance it further.
Shabbat Shalom.
