A guest post by Rabbi Aaron Fink (my father), Dean of Ateres Bais Yaakov on Monsey NY. Part of a weekly Dvar Torah (Torah “Thought”) series.
Enlightened
The birth of Klal Yisrael is the story line of Parshas Lech Lecha. Our Mifarshim tell us that maasei avos siman labanim, the lives of our patriarchs and matriarchs set the patterns for Jewish eternity. Each and every nuance of their lives has relevance to each of us today.
One of many lessons can be learned this week from the very beginning of the parsha. It is found in the blessing and promise Hashem gives to Avraham Avinu for following his command of “Lech Lecha” to leave his home and travel forward to the unknown land of Canaan.
The posuk says v’avarcha mivarchecha umikallelcha a’ohr, l will bless those that bless you and those that curse you I will curse.” Meforshim note that when it comes to blessing, the Torah says v’avrcha mivarchecha using a double expression of bracha. But when it comes to cursing, the Torah says umikallelcha a’ohr applying two distinctly different verbal expressions of klalla. Why does the Torah not use a double lashon of klalla and say umikallelcha akaleil? It would follow the pattern of the beginning of the posuk. What are we being taught by the substitution of the word “aohr” for akaleil?
Some commentaries use this nuanced variation to explain a lesson of how we should approach personal criticism, derision, ridicule or misunderstanding from another. When confronted or insulted, the natural tendency of people is to react defensively to those who attack them. Sometime we even respond temper first. Nevertheless, the Torah is teaching us that the response to our critics should not be one of frustrated and reactive klala of our own. Rather we should react to adversity with a sense of a’ohr, which can also mean to “enlighten” from the word ohr – light. We do not have to respond to insult with anger. Instead we can guide, educate and inspire our critics. In fact, we ought to help them see the light. Indeed, the compelling challenge for those who are being challenged by others is not to lose their temper but instead to educate and enlighten those who, with a little more knowledge, would behave differently.
This attitude is especially vital to the unique mission of Klal Yisrael as an “ohr La’amim—a light to all nations.” We are charged to spread the light of the Shechina in all that we do. This can be can be accomplished by how we conduct ourselves. “Ma Hu af ata,” Our temperament reflects Him. When we demonstrate diracheha darchei noam, shalom and shalvah in all aspect of our avodas Hashem and in each facet of our lives we bear witness to Hashem’s selection of Bnai Yisrael as His chosen people. And, chas v’shalom when our behavior is in conflict with the halachic and hashkafic standards we should live by, we give those who claim the opposite credence. As such we must always be resolved to not only see the light but to reflect it as well. A double dose of bracha awaits those of us who shine.
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