Welcome back to ModPop Torah! This week we read parshat Chayei Sarah. The portion opens with Sarah’s death and her burial. Later on, we read that Abraham tasks one of his servants, this is commonly believed to be his servant Eleazar, to get a wife for his son Isaac. Abraham’s only requirement is that he not bring Isaac back to his birthplace. His servant is to get a wife from Abraham’s birthplace and to bring her back to them.
Eleazar made his way to Nahor and stopped at a well outside of the city. His test for a proper wife was the woman who would give him water if he asked and would give his camels water without being asked. His only criteria were where she came from, and that she treated strangers with loving-kindness. This is just one example of Judaism encouraging us to treat others with unwavering kindness. We are encouraged to surround ourselves with people who put others first and who take care of others.
We should also strive to be those people. We should give water to others with no questions asked. No matter someone’s past, what they look like, where they come from, what they believe, we should help them. If we see someone who trips and falls in the street and needs assistance, we aren’t going to say, “Hey, fill out this quick questionnaire about your religious, and political beliefs, your criminal history, and your current welfare status”. We help because we are good people and helping people and caring about all people are good things to do.
Later in Chayei Sarah, we read that Abraham dies. After he dies, both Ishmael and Isaac come together to bury their father. It is no secret that Ishmael and Isaac have a rocky past. From the beginning, they were doomed to be enemies. Their mothers resented one another and they were doomed to repeat that history. Despite their differences, they were able to come together to bury their father because they knew it was the right thing. They knew that not only was it the right thing to do for their father, but for their relationship with one another.
Just as we need to be kind to everyone we meet, there are times when we need to put our differences aside to work together. We do not need to agree on everything. We don’t even need to like everyone. However, we do need to be able to put aside our differences, have civil conversations, and work together to better our communities.
This past weekend was a big day for our country, no matter who you voted for. On Saturday, November 7th, 2020 at around 11:30 am, Joe Biden was announced as the 46th president of the United States of America. It’s okay to be happy and excited, but it’s also okay to feel sad. But, it is absolutely not okay to continue carrying on the hatred that has plagued our nation over the past four years. We may have different opinions on some things like policies, and that’s okay. However, what’s not okay is if your opinions and beliefs deny people of their basic human rights. That kind of hatred is never okay and it definitely isn’t tolerated here on MPT.
Hopefully, you were able to hear Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and President-elect Joe Biden speak Saturday night (if not, or if you want to rewatch them, here are Kamala Harris’ speech and Joe Biden’s speech). They both spoke well and their speeches had a similar theme, hope. Kamala Harris spoke about building a better future together and she encouraged little girls to follow their dreams and to dream big. She said, “While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last-because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities.” She used her platform last night to spread words of kindness, warmth, and hope.
Joe Biden’s speech was both a message of hope and an olive branch. He did not belittle the supporters of his opponent or boast or brag about his victory. Instead, he addressed those who voted for President Trump and said, “I understand your disappointment tonight, I’ve lost a couple of times myself. But now, let’s give each other a chance. It’s time to put away the harsh rhetoric, lower the temperature, see each other again, listen to each other again. And to make progress we have to stop treating our opponents as our enemies. They are not our enemies, they are Americans.” This is such a powerful statement. Over the past four years, the divide in our country has only gotten greater and stronger. We have seen a rise in hatred and violence. People aren’t afraid to be mean, hateful, racist, homophobic, etc. because they have seen those in power use the same rhetoric. They felt encouraged to be hateful.
I, like many people, had been watching way more news than I normally do this past week (specifically CNN). There was a conversation brought up on Saturday that has stuck with me. It was after Joe Biden was announced as the President-elect and the anchors were talking about conceding. They also talked about President Trump’s current behavior and related it to that of a 7-year-old child. They said it’s understandable behavior for a child to get upset at a loss and maybe act out a little because children are still learning to understand, manage, and express their emotions. As two individuals who have worked with children for many years, Amanda and I can confirm that this is true. Kids don’t always know how to express their emotions, especially the big ones. The CNN anchors then went on to say that this behavior, while understandable for a child, is not okay for a 74-year old man. This man has done nothing with grace or decorum within the past few weeks alone. All he has done is thrown temper tantrum after temper tantrum and pointed his finger and blamed everyone else. This behavior for someone in his position is inexcusable and unacceptable. I don’t care what “side” you are on, no president should behave in this manner.
It seems that President Trump clearly does not understand the importance of conceding. Making a concession speech is not necessarily a speech to declare you a loser. It is a speech to help unify the nation. Elections are so divisive, and this was no different. But, in order to get anything done, we need to unite again as one nation and work together. This is what concession speeches are for. CNN put together a video speaking with speechwriters from both parties that really addresses the importance of concession speeches and I highly recommend you watch it.
Chayei Sarah teaches us the importance of kindness. It was literally the only characteristic Eleazer was looking for in a woman when choosing a wife for Isaac, that’s how much he valued it. It is time that we, once again, are reminded of the importance of kindness. We might not always agree on everything (again, which is okay unless it deals with basic human rights) but we must lead with kindness. Have discussions and debates instead of arguments. Listen instead of yell. If we want to get anything done as a country or even as a community, we need to all work together. Also, no one wants to be friends with a big meanie head anyway…just saying.
We’ll see you next week!
Amanda & Marissa
