A particular compelling story in this week's Torah portion is that of Hagar and Yishmael, who was sent away at Sarah's urging by Abraham, as detailed in this week's parsha, Parshas Vayero (Bereshis 21:8-20. Bereshis 21:8-20
I have always found the emotions and events in this week's parsha vividly compelling. Even as I accepted the need for sending away Ishmael, I was always haunted by this set of biblical imagery.
As I assumed the responsibilities of fatherhood, my empathy with the suffering of Yishmael and Hagar became almost painful. One day, the doors of a yeshiva closed behind me and one of my children. We left with heavy hearts and a refund check.
Youth at Risk and This Week’s Torah Portion (Vayero)
Through the book of Genesis, the narrative focuses first on the ancestors of mankind and then upon the ancestors of the Jewish people. After an initial compelling story, those whose history parted with that of the Jewish people such as Ishmael and Esau fade out with a detailed genealogy that is devoid of personal narrative in the written text.
A particular compelling story in this week’s Torah portion is that of Hagar and Yishmael, who was sent away at Sarah’s urging by Abraham, as detailed in this week’s parsha, Parshas Vayero (Bereshis 21:8-20. Bereshis 21:8-20
I have always found the emotions and events in this week’s parsha vividly compelling. Even as I accepted the need for sending away Ishmael, I was always haunted by this set of biblical imagery.
As I assumed the responsibilities of fatherhood, my empathy with the suffering of Yishmael and Hagar became almost painful. One day, the doors of a yeshiva closed behind me and one of my children. We left with heavy hearts and a refund check.
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