Two Minute Torah Podcast

Lekh Lekha 5770 by Cantor Robert Scherr

In a bar somewhere, Noah and Abraham (nee Avram) are having a beer.

"I was just sitting there," said Noah, "Trying to stay out of trouble as I always do, when suddenly I heard a voice out of nowhere, and the next thing I knew, I was a boat builder! The voice gave me great detailed plans. I'm thinking of trying more of these do-it-yourself projects."

"You know, it was about the same for me," said Avram. "I was minding my own business when suddenly I heard a voice: ÔLeave your native land and your father's house.'"

"Where did you have to go?" asked Noah.

"That's just it, Noah," said Avram. "He didn't say, really, only a land that I will show you."

"Wow, sounds just like me," Noah said. "I had no idea where or how long I was going to be stuck in that ark. But I knew I couldn't say no."

Avram nodded, "God promised me ÔI will make of you a great nation, I will bless you, and I will make your name great.' That sounded like an offer I couldn't refuse!"

"And was there a catch?" asked Noah. "Just the opposite," Avram replied. "God said those who bless me will be blessed, and those who curse me will be cursed, and all the families of the earth will be blessed by me. How cool is that?! And do you know what I learned that was really awesome? Not only God does the blessing. We humans can bless! God said to me, ÔHeyeh b'rachaÑbe a blessing.' At first, I didn't get it. But as I was walking with Sarai and my nephew Lot and his family, I suddenly got why God said that. You know, when I was a kid, I figured out that my father's idols were really just a gimmick. There's no power in wood or stone statues. But there is great power in the human potential to act with godliness Ð that's what be a blessingÑheyeh brachaÑis all about. When we honor and love our parents, that's being a blessing. When we are kind, or when we do deeds of tsedek to make the world a better and more equitable place, that's being a blessing."

"Avram," said Noah," May I ask you something personal?"

"Sure," said Avram.

"What's up with the Brit Milah idea? I mean, is circumcision really a blessing?"

"Well," replied Avram, "I was quite frightened myself at first. But you see, this is part of being a blessing. Everyone, at least every male, physically carries the sign of the Covenant. I am always reminded that covenant is who I amÑwho we are as a people. In the jmost elemental way, it is who I am, and so it will be for all generations: each man will realilze that he is, with his body as well as his soul, a covenanted person. And now forever, as each father circumcises his son, he will know he is passing that covenant to the next generation. Parents in every generation will know that they are passing to their sons and daughters the ability to hear the same voice that I heard: heyeh brachaÑgo forth, my child, and wherever you go, be a blessing!"