November 5, 2011 | 8 Cheshvan 5772 | Genesis 12:1-17:27

During one of my early trips to Israel, I remember listening to a lecture by a highly regarded Orthodox Rabbi who was explaining the power of the words in the Shema that command us to, “Teach these words to our children and to speak them” (Deuteronomy 6:7). Like some in the Orthodox community, this Rabbi and his family lived in a very cloistered neighborhood where exposure to the outside world was carefully controlled.  

In a presentation to our group, he spoke about a difficult situation that he and his teenage son found themselves to be in. While on a business trip in the heat of summer at the seaboard community of Eilat, they needed to get from point A to point B, which inevitably meant walking along the beachside boardwalk. With values like modesty at the forefront of their minds, they worried about what they might confront along their beachside walk. As related by this rabbi, they tackled this obstacle by moving forward with their journey all the while talking words of Torah. Through their grappling and questioning, he related, they were so caught up in their thoughts that they spent their entire walk looking down at the ground and didn’t have much of an opportunity to see young men and women in typical beach attire.

As I listened to this story, so much ran through my mind. Personally, I agree that our society could use a dose of modesty.  One simply needs to drive their car down Peachtree Rd to be inundated with provocative images, usually in an attempt to sell products. Although not new, one doesn’t need to be a media historian to see a pronounced progression in the brazen and explicit nature of our commercial and media world. I am, of course, worried about what this does to our self-image and self-esteem. Being the father of two daughters, I am concerned about the exploitive nature of many of these ads and our society at large.

All that being said, exploitation was not the only thing running through my head as this Rabbi finished his presentation to my group. I was shocked by the differences between his world and mine. Although I knew about and appreciated different cultures, I was taken aback to learn about Jewish communities that were so close in proximity but yet so far in substance, structure & ethic. Since I was on a trip to Israel sponsored by an Orthodox outreach organization, it was clear that this Rabbi’s presentation was to help me reconsider the choice of which world I wanted to live in, a pitch to have me give up my scantly clad society and join the ranks of the fully covered.  

Without question, my protected teacher presented many “proofs” to support his decision for his lifestyle and help sway mine. He recited many verses and rabbinic statements that presented a cogent argument for finding a small, closed Orthodox community to set one’s gaze inward rather than outward. Although well presented, I couldn’t do it. Although I can understand and even agree with some of his critiques of the larger society, I couldn’t imagine turning my back on it. Although I chose to stay engaged in the society of my birth, I must admit that I live very differently from my neighbors. Especially now that I am a Southerner, I am feeling the split between my lifestyle even more. I don’t know what Southern BBQ tastes like; I don’t go to Church. I miss out on many of the local festivals that fall on Saturday. Although I choose to remain in this world, I am still very much separated.   

Are there any rabbinic sources that support my lifestyle? I believe that I gain some backing from this week’s Torah Portion.  In parshat Lech Lecha, we are introduced to Abraham and Sarah known in the Jewish tradition as the first Jews. God’s first words to Abraham and Sarah are to set out on their adventure, Lech Lecha – go forth. Although the stories in the chapters that are written about their life lends credence to God’s election of them as the first Jews, our rabbis were quick to ask, “Why choose Abraham?” We are introduced to Abraham as an old man with no knowledge of his childhood or young adulthood. Seemingly out of nowhere, God chooses him and his wife Sarah to be the beginning the Jewish people. The Midrash Tanchuma offers us some insight. It states:

“Rabbi Idi and Rav Huna in the name of Rabbi Judah and Rabbi Yossi in the name of Rabbi Samuel said: ‘One should NOT recite the Shema while walking, rather one should stand in place and focus their heart heavenward while pronouncing the oneness of God’s name: Hear O Israel the Lord is our God, the Lord is one’. Once one begins the ‘V’ahavta’, they may walk, stand or sit, as it is written: ‘When you sit in your house or when you walk by the way, when you lie down or when you rise up.’ Anybody who is careful and focused on the performance of a mitzvah is regarded as great. This is learned from Abraham, who the Prophet Isaiah regards as ‘the lover of God’ (Isaiah 41:8). God said to Abraham: Since you are very careful in performing the commandments even while dwelling in your father’s land, a land filled with idolatry, go out from among them: ‘Go forth from your land.’” (Midrash Tanchuma: Lech Lecha, 1)

According to this midrash, it was because of Abraham’s involvement in the greater society, not despite it, that made him God’s chosen person to begin the Jewish people. Although I believe that our society is far from being labeled as idolatrous, I do feel that we have many challenges that our holy texts warn us against. By following Abraham’s example, through involvement in society while remembering and living out our core religious values, I believe that we all have the opportunity to not only make ourselves great but to make our world great as well.   

Shabbat Shalom, and I look forward to studying Torah with you……on the beach!