In the Merit of Avraham

I’m penning these reflections after visiting the Shiva house of Rabbi Avi Goldberg. Rabbi Avraham Goldberg, a father of eight, was a military rabbi and captain in the IDF reserves who taught at the Himmelfarb Yeshiva High School in Jerusalem, he fell in battle in southern Lebanon, leaving behind an impressive legacy of bringing God’s compassion and concern for other. Like so many other soldiers who gave their lives, each story and person’s loss is so tragic. A life cut short. Hashem seems to take the best of the best.

A loss not only to family but the community and country.   This week, we will read Parshat Lech Lecha. God tells Abraham, “Go from your land, your birthplace, and your father’s house, to the land I will show you.” This raises a profound question: why did God ask Abraham to leave behind everything familiar—his land, his home, his father’s house? Was it about embarking on Aliyah, embracing vulnerability, or cultivating sensitivity to others’ needs? There’s something deeply significant about the Land of Israel, and while there may be many reasons, Abraham’s journey marked the first Aliyah. His steps set the foundation we all walk today, whether physically in Israel or in spirit, aspiring to that connection.

When Abraham arrives in Canaan, he faces a famine—a reminder that life in Israel is seldom easy. This leads him to Egypt, where he encounters new trials yet returns to the land with wealth and the challenges of family strife. In many ways, Aliyah mirrors these trials; one may face struggles earning a livelihood, challenges with children or differences in paths. Then, we see Abraham go to war to rescue his nephew Lot, embodying the sometimes unavoidable necessity of conflict to uphold justice. God ultimately establishes a covenant with him, promising the land of Israel to his descendants, and we witness the story of Ishmael’s birth, Sarah’s pregnancy, and the commandment of circumcision. These events shape this week’s parsha and offer timeless lessons.

Why was Abraham chosen as our forefather? The answer is hinted at in this passage: he taught his children kindness and the ways of God.

In the lead-up to the story of Sodom, God said to himself, Shall I conceal from Abraham what I am unto? And he said, Abraham shall become a great and mighty nation. He will be a central figure in history. All the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him. They will all consider themselves his successors.

Genesis 18:19, “For I have chosen him so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just.

And it is this little passage that is so telling. And as we, The Abrahams, to this day, we, the Jews, follow this little message to teach our children to perform righteousness and justice. The rest is just commentary.

Reflecting on this, we see a contrast from last week’s parsha, Noah. Rabbi Sacks notes two forms of governance or word order: before the flood, extreme individualism led people to prioritize their interests over their fellow man, resulting in destruction. Afterwards, the Tower of Babel represents a collective effort—yet another flawed system. Here, we see the dangers of both extremes: unbridled capitalism and rigid collectivism (aka Communism). Judaism, however, uniquely balances individual empowerment with community responsibility. Abraham epitomised this balance, combining an individual solid moral compass with devotion to the collective good.

Further reading: Individual and Collective Responsibility | Noach | Covenant & Conversation | The Rabbi Sacks Legacy

This spirit resonates today in the bravery of Israel’s soldiers, who, like Abraham, set aside their individual lives to defend their homeland. Rabbi Avi Goldberg embodied Abraham’s legacy. Stories shared at his Shiva reveal his dedication to students and his remarkable empathy, always knowing how to support both friends and strangers. His widow, Rachel, bravely thanked God for the 21 good years they shared. It’s heartbreaking to see lives cut short, yet we honour their sacrifices for our people and our land.

Recently, I read about the life of Alex Singer in the Book “Building Lives, The Story of an American Who Fell Defending Israel”. (Avi Goldberg, too, made Aliyah from the US)

Alex Singer was killed in a battle with terrorists in Lebanon in 1987 on his 25th birthday, not quite three years after he had made Aliyah. Alex affected many people during his life — through his words, writing, and art, but most of all by his personal example and actions. Alex’s joy in life and his integrity in pursuing his ideals inspired all he touched. His mission was to protect Israel and his home, to help build a Jewish state that would be able to face the challenges of a modern world, and to demonstrate the light that Judaism can bring to people’s lives.

Alex wrote a letter to his brother Saul in 1983 on the eve of his Aliya.  He stated:  “The purpose of my aliya will be a combination of wanting a greater chance to make my Judaism one of joy rather than one of burdens, of wanting to be part of Israel’s development both as a state and as a beacon, and of feeling that it is the duty of the individual Jew to help the Jewish people.”

https://www.alexsingerproject.org/

These stories of Avi, Alex, and countless others embody the strength and commitment to the Land of Israel that began with Abraham. Each generation brings forth new “Abrahams” who walk this path, embracing sacrifice, devotion, and an unbreakable connection to our land and people.

Through the courage of these modern-day Abrahams, we find hope and resilience in the ongoing battle between good and evil. Reflecting on the Parsha, I recall Abraham’s war to rescue Lot. The lessons from that story remain relevant today. Last year, and unfortunately still, we rally around the hashtag #BringThemHome, a poignant reminder of our pain and anxiety, and it is disheartening to see today that this call persists.

Abraham was the first to challenge the idols of his time, and similarly, the Jewish and Israeli people continue to confront the moral failings that threaten our world today. Despite the darkness of hatred and terror that seems to overshadow our efforts, we remain driven by a vision for a better and fairer world. Israel plays a pivotal role in addressing pressing global issues, including climate change and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

I invite you to read my blog, “Challenging the Idols of Our Time—Climate Change and Collective Responsibility,” where I expand on this.

https://upgradingesg.substack.com/p/challenging-the-idols-of-our-time

One phrase often misinterpreted is “Tikkun olam,” commonly mentioned in our daily prayers. When we examine it closely, we see that it speaks of repairing the world under the canopy of God, reflecting a divine mission to bring justice and healing to our fractured world. This message was central to Abraham’s mission: to promote Tikkun olam under the guidance of a just and benevolent God. Today, this call resonates deeply, reminding us of our collective responsibility to pursue justice and repair the world.

In conclusion, as we reflect on Abraham’s legacy and the sacrifices made by those who answered the call of “Lech Lecha,” let us honour their courage by committing ourselves to the principles of justice and compassion that define our shared identity. May we find strength in their stories and work together toward a brighter future.

I originally penned these words last year. Sadly, they are still relevant today.

The Relevance of War

This is cause for reflection, especially today, as we seek to return and rescue the hostages held by Hamas and the Palestinians. May it be soon. May it be today. #bringthemhome

The war mentioned in the story of Abraham’s rescue of Lot from the four kings (Genesis 14) in Parsha Lech Lecha can offer several relevant lessons for today:

1. Courage and justice: Abraham displayed great courage by taking on a challenging military operation to rescue his nephew, Lot. This underscores the importance of standing up for what is just and protecting one’s family and community in the face of adversity.
2. Unity and alliances: Abraham formed alliances with neighbouring leaders like Mamre, Aner, and Eshkol to successfully wage this war. This teaches the value of working together and forming alliances to achieve common goals and face external threats.
3. Responsibility and compassion: Abraham’s willingness to rescue Lot highlights the moral responsibility we have toward our relatives and fellow human beings. It serves as a reminder to show compassion and help those in need.
4. The cost of war: The war itself had consequences, including suffering and loss of life. This reminds us of the tragic human costs of conflicts and the importance of seeking peaceful resolutions when possible.
5. Leadership and strategy: Abraham’s leadership and strategic thinking played a crucial role in the success of the rescue mission. This illustrates the importance of wise leadership and thoughtful planning in addressing challenges and conflicts.

These lessons can be applied to situations of conflict, both on a personal and societal level, in contemporary times. The story encourages values like courage, unity, compassion, and responsible leadership, which remain relevant for addressing conflicts and challenges in the modern world.

I thought these words extracted from Chat GPT provide vital relevancy for today as Israel is besieged by biased media.

I’d like to highlight the powerful words of Dr. Phil and Noah Tishby, who have passionately addressed these issues. Dr. Phil emphasizes the need to focus on the moral compass of the American public, particularly in universities, to counteract the spread of darkness, hatred, and ignorance.

Dr Phil https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN-nHjmhBlA

Noah Tishby https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyrHWQ5vO18/

Here are some of her emotive words:

“What we experienced on and since October 7 was sadly, predictable. We’ve warned of the danger of radical Islam or, more accurately, the radical Islamic Nazism that is constantly lurking at Israel’s borders. And we’ve warned of the ongoing grooming of Western civilization — through universities, the media, and social media. We warned what the phrase “from the river to the sea Palestine will be free” looks like. It means “itbach al Yahud” — “slaughter the Jews.”

This demonization of Israel is not “progressive”; it’s not peaceful, and it absolutely won’t Free Palestine. It is a modern-day blood libel calculated to incite, pave the way for, and then justify — a genocide.

We’ve seen it for over three and a half thousand years of Jewish “lived experience”. It’s the generational trauma that is in our bones. We understand it. That is our “Jewish privilege.” We knew where it would lead, and we are devastated to be proven right.

Israel is one of the greatest stories ever told and its vilification is one of the greatest smear campaigns in the history of the world. But we have news for you: when we say Never Again, we mean it. When you tell us you want to kill us, we believe you. And when you set out to do it in the most horrific ways, we will defeat you.

We stand shoulder to shoulder with the families of Israelis and Americans held hostage by the Hamas terrorists and demand they return the hostages now! Bring them home!

Above all, I am grateful that for the generations to come, the Jewish people will still live, love, and thrive and reach out a hand to the world. And Hamas will be nothing but a footnote in history, just like those who tried to exterminate us before.

Written in October 2023!! More relevant than ever