Don't Give Up - Vayera

 

Don't Give Up
Parshat Vayera

Our Torah portion opens with Avraham Avinu recovering from the Brit Milah (circumcision) as he sits outside his tent. The Torah describes how three angels in the form of men came to visit him. Avraham runs towards them, bustling about welcoming his guests, treating them like royalty and prepares for them a true  feast. Avraham asks Sarah to prepare and knead cakes.

Then the Torah says "ואל הבקר רץ אברהם, ויקח בן בקר רך וטוב ויתן אל הנער וימהר לעשות אותו - Then Avraham ran to the cattle , took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the youth who hurried to prepare it".

Rashi (France 1040-1105) brings a clarification (Midrash Rabbah 13) that the "youth" was Yishmael who Avraham wanted to educate in the proper path of Mitzvot. As such, Yishmael was given the task of helping to prepare for the guests. 

As this portion of Vayera is the fourth portion in the Torah, I believe that this is the first mention of Chinuch (Education) in the Torah. We see how Avraham, the first Jew, is making a conscious and directed effort to educate his thirteen year old son. 

However, when we look closer at the previous Parshah, Lech Lecha, and later on in our Parshah, something additional stands out. Yishmael was not exactly a model citizen or an easy child. The Torah describes him (Berishit 16:12) as "And he shall be a wild-ass of a man, his hand against everyone, and everyone's hand against him; and over all his brothers shall he dwell". Later on in our Parshah, Yishmael is banished by Sarah for his wild and wicked behavior.

Surely, it was challenging and difficult for Avraham to parent this child, especially as he entered his teen years. And yet, we see something beautiful and insightful. Avraham continued to believe in his son and provide Chinuch (education) for him. He looked for ways to involve his son and make him feel invested and connected to Hachnasat Orchim (inviting guests) and Mitzvot. He refused to give up on him.

What a beautiful lesson of never giving up hope on a child, no matter how challenging or difficult it may be. If Avraham refused to give up hope on Yishmael, we can certainly make an extra effort to give love, education and feeling of positivity toward each and every one of our precious children.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Y. Marrus