Over these last terrible weeks, so many people in our community and around the world have been struggling with very big questions as they try to get a grasp on the war in Israel. I cannot remember another time in my rabbinate when I’ve heard from so many people, both strangers and within our community, who want to talk about the war and ask not just what should we do now, but how did we get here in the first place.
Social media is filled with memes, maps and factoids about the history of Israel, and quite a few of them bring us right back to where we are this week in the Torah.
Last week in the Torah portion, we read of God calling to Abram and promising him a land where he and his descendants would flourish and become a blessing. This week, in Vayeira, we start to see that becoming a reality as Sarah gives birth to Isaac, ensuring that the first Jewish family would continue on.
It is also in these two Torah portions that we hear the stories of Hagar and Ishmael, who play a critical role in the Muslim faith in which Ishmael serves as both a prophet and ancestor to Muhammed. Hagar and Ishmael are sent away to the desert, while Abraham, Sarah and Isaac’s story moves forward together and becomes the story of our people.
If one wished to use the Torah as a prooftext for the current situation in Israel, there are multiple moments to point to. One could use it to try and prove who was physically in the land first, or where the Jewish and Muslim story started, or who made an actual purchase of the land. The list goes on and on.
But — and it feels strange as a rabbi to even say this — I’m going to strongly encourage us not to study the Torah for those answers right now. This is not the time to use the Torah as a historical prooftext, to determine original ownership of the land or where negative relationships started.
The war in Israel is complicated and, certainly, history is a part of that, but the minute we try to prove a point by seeking facts in the Torah text, we have set ourselves up for distraction, if not downright failure. More importantly, it does not help us as we try to desperately explain to others why Israel has the right to defend herself, why the saving of the hostages is of the utmost importance, and why many of us as American Jews are feeling so isolated and afraid right now.
History matters, yes, but if we’re going to immerse ourselves in learning about Israel, which we absolutely should, both for our own edification and to help combat the ignorance and anti-Zionist voices that are becoming ever louder, we’d be better off focusing on more recent history than our ancient past.
This is not to say that the Torah is not of the utmost importance. But, for now, let’s use it to draw comfort, wisdom and hope. Let’s look at this week’s portion and feel inspired by Abram and Sarai’s hospitality, awed by the miracle of Isaac’s birth, impressed by Abraham’s attempt to change God’s mind about destroying Sodom and Gemorrah.
We need to be able to lose ourselves in the beauty of these teachings so we can have the strength to face the difficult days ahead.
Rabbi Amy Feder serves Congregation Temple Israel and is a past president of the St. Louis Rabbinical and Cantorial Association, which coordinates the d’var Torah for the Jewish Light.
