This week's portion includes some of the most dramatic stories of Abraham's life, including the binding of Isaac and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
There are so many lessons -- and questions -- in each. One of the most interesting aspects is the story of Lot's seduction by his daughters (with the aid of intoxication), who conceive by their own father. Though this is a deeply unnatural act, it is one borne of desperation, as the women are convinced their father is the last man remaining in the world. Curiously, there are important descendants of these unions -- descendants who would later play key roles.
It is one of many examples in which the Bible shows some kind of use for sin. We cannot understand why things work like this; we should not choose to follow the wrong path; but sometimes, it's strangely part of the plan. We can, then, learn to forgive ourselves and each other, and led God work His way.
The story of Noah is familiar; the details, less so.
Noah is often seen as an ambivalent figure. He was righteous -- but only for his generation. What was his deficiency?
One answer suggests itself: knowing that the world was about to be flooded, he built an Ark for the animals and for his own family -- but did not try to save anyone else or to convince them to repent and change their ways (the prophet Jonah, later, would share that reluctance).
Abraham, later, would set himself apart by arguing with God -- with the Lord Himself! -- against the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, saying that they should be saved if there were enough righteous people to be found (there were not).
Still, Noah was good enough -- and sometimes, that really is sufficient to save the world. We don't need heroes every time -- just ordinary decency.
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Look for cancelation in the very near future. Thank you for your support!
An interesting weekend -- one of the last of Daylight Savings Time -- in which there is much to celebrate, much to contemplate, and a bit to worry about.
The Gaza peace deal is shaky, but holding, after the living hostages returned; the shutdown is still going on, with no end in sight; the China trade war is heating up; and the confrontation with Venezuela continues to escalate.
The "No Kings" protest was a dud, despite the media's attempt to inflate it. What I find fascinating is that the Democrats have basically stolen the rhetoric and the imagery of the Tea Party protests, circa 2009. They claim they are defending the Constitution -- just like the Tea Party did.
On the one hand, this is good. How wonderful to have a political system in which both sides, bitterly opposed though they are, articulate differences through the Constitution -- and not, as in so many other countries, outside it.
On the other, this is sheer hypocrisy for the Democrats. Not only did they malign the Tea Party as ...
