The Weekly Sedra – Lech Lecha – Children’s Rights

Sholom Aleichem. Ever heard a kid cry “I want it to be sunny!” when it is raining or “I want it to be yesterday!” when it is today? A patient caregiver will sit down and try to explain to the child the futility of crying for things that are beyond our control. A not so patient caregiver will simply ignore the wailing till it stops. There are those children whose kvetching has tremendous meaning. Please read on:

In this week’s Torah portion, Parshas Vayeiro, we continue the story of our patriarch Avrohom. While recovering from circumcising himself at the age of 99, Avrohom receives a visit from G-d. G-d reveals Himself at a new level of revelation previously not experienced by Avrohom.

The birthday of the fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Sholom Ber Schneersohn (a/k/a the Rebbe Rashab 1861-1920) is the 20th of Cheshvan which always falls out around the time this portion is read. When the Rashab was a child of four or five years old he was crying while having a birthday visit with his grandfather, the third Chabad Rebbe, known as the Tzemach Tzedek. “Why are you crying?” asked his grandfather. “I am crying,” answered the child, “because G-d revealed Himself to Avrohom and not to me!”

The Tzemach Tzedek didn’t ignore his crying grandson or minimize his feelings. He answered the child in all seriousness, “When a Jew who is a tzaddik [perfectly righteous] decides to circumcise himself at the age of 99, he is worthy of G-d revealing Himself to him.” This conversation is no baby talk. There was a serious desire from a four year old kid to perceive G-dliness like Avrohom our patriarch did and a serious answer from a righteous grandfather in his late seventies as to why Avrohom deserved to receive a visit from the A-mighty. What can be learned for those of us who might be older according to our passport but still kids in so many ways, not all of them complementary, and for those of us who have indeed achieved in our lives but aren’t quite done achieving yet?

The Rebbe explains: If one desires a good thing (I don’t mean nonsensically good like a piece of candy or chocolate cake) but one isn’t worthy of it, what should one do? An adult who is “childlike” in knowledge might feel unworthy of enjoying a relationship with G-d. The aforementioned story teaches us that everyone, including children, has the right to ask for the best and most meaningful things in life, like a visit from G-d Himself.

What about an accomplished adult? Should an accomplished adult expect the finer things in life? (Again, no reference to material baubles, but rather fulfillment and meaning) The aforementioned story has the answer by turning our focus to Avrohom:

At the age of 99, after enduring numerous life threatening tests of faith in G-d, Avrohom had achieved a high degree of perfection. Indeed, the Mishna tells us that at the age of 100 one has achieved a level of completeness in one’s Divine service whereby the challenges of this world are no longer relevant. Avrohom was one year away from the prize. Yet when G-d instructed him to circumcise himself, a task which required great discipline and faith in G-d, Avrohom didn’t hesitate.

Circumcision was not only a physical act, it was also a spiritual one whereby Avrohom removed the “foreskin” on his heart which prevented him from achieving even greater things in his service of his Creator. Avrohom could have said, “Enough! I am good enough already and don’t need to be circumcised!” The aforementioned story teaches us that Avrohom didn’t hesitate and showed his true devotion to G-d and his commandments. The net gain was that Avrohom received a visit from G-d Himself after having broken out to a new level of achievement in his service of G-d due to his circumcision.

Undoubtedly, true service of G-d needs to be all inclusive. One can’t say I only serve Him by being good to others and one can’t say I only serve Him by praying and studying His Torah. One has to be the genuine article, or at least strive to be. And even if one has achieved already, one can always achieve more. Go for it!!

Before you close this email or put down this paper, I want to ask you to please do a mitzvah of any sorts for the sake of Ruchama Aliza Sara Chana bas Esther Lieba who is fighting for her life. Together, we can influence G-d to send her a complete recovery now.

May G-d guard our brethren in Israel and the world over from harm and send us Moshiach speedily. May He protect the armed forces of Israel and the United States wherever they may be. Shabbat Shalom!! Chazak!!! L’Chaim!!!!

This Torah Thought is dedicated in loving memory of Schabse Noach ben Moshe z“l and in honor of the immediate complete restoration to good health of two small children, Ruchama Aliza Sara Chana bas Esther Lieba (www.babyaliza.com) and Brocha Rivka bas Esther Yehudis, amongst ”sha’ar choilei Yisroel!”