This week we are introduced to the founder and ‘Father’ of Judaism: Abraham.
But at first glance it’s not understood exactly what was so special about him and what exactly he accomplished.
He conquered no lands, left no writings, sayings, commandments, holidays, promises of salvation or even rituals (save circumcision). All he did was follow G-d’s orders.
Even more; the Torah tells us that there were righteous people before him such as Chanoch (Gen. 5:24), Methusela (see Rashi on Gen. 7:4) and, of course, Noah. Why weren’t they the founders of Judaism?
We can answer this with a story that occurred some 50 years ago.
David Solomon was a self-made man. He lived in Manhattan and had built himself up from almost nothing with his own 'two hands'. Today was a multi-millionaire with several factories, had substantial holdings on Wall Street and knew exactly how loud money 'talks'.
He was Jewish but there was no place in his life for Judaism and no time for anything except business ... and family.
The most precious of all his possessions was his eighteen-year-old daughter. She was the apple of his eye. Her picture was on his desk and every wall of his office. He dreamed of the day that she would marry and he would see grandchildren. He even had a special fund saved up to buy her a new house and whatever she needed.
Our story begins as he was sitting in his office when the phone rang. 'Mr. Solomon?" asked an official sounding voice on the other end of the line.
"Yes."
'Have you got a daughter by the name of Sarah Solomon?
Again he answered yes.
"This is a police officer speaking from County hospital. You'd better get down here fast, Mr. Solomon. Your daughter has been in a pretty severe automobile accident."
Mr. Solomon asked a few questions to make sure it wasn't a prank, slammed the phone down grabbed his keys and raced out of the office.
It was a nightmare. She was in critical condition. In a coma. Wires and tubes were attached to every part of her body. The doctors said that it was impossible to operate until her condition stabilized.
He stood there weeping. What could he do? His wife arrived and she too burst out in tears.
The next few days were almost without sleep. They waited in the hall for some news from the doctors. Perhaps she opened her eyes? Perhaps there would be some improvement?
But the only sign of hope he received was when his father suggested that they should contact the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
"I have friends that he did big miracles for. If anyone can help you he can. Just go, get an appointment and get to see him.
David's emotions began flipping. At first, he was excited; there was hope! But then he became disappointed in himself. What? I, Dovid Solomon, a normal, successful, normal American businessman going to Rabbis? And who ever heard of Rabbis doing miracles? Rabbis give speeches and lead prayers and congregations .... what do Rabbis have to do with healing people.
But maybe this was something different? After all, this was a respected Jewish Rabbi. His father said he could help, that he was a great leader, a serious person.
Then suddenly shame, "I don't do any commandments. I don’t even own a yarmulke! How can I go to this Rabbi? He won’t even listen to me."
But then his confidence returned. He remembered his money. "Synagogues need money. I'll give a big donation and the Rabbi will certainly hear what I have to say."
Dovid got directions, jumped in his car and drove down to the Rebbe's headquarters in Brooklyn to arrange a private meeting (called 'Yechidut'). There he learned that usually people had to wait for even months but because of the urgency, he was given precedence and that evening, hours later, he was in the Rebbe’s room standing before the Rebbe
"Rebbe!" He began to cry. "My daughter had a terrible accident. She is in critical condition. Rebbe, can you save her? Here, here is a check for fifty thousand dollars! For your institutions."
The Rebbe just looked at him without seeming to notice the check and said, "If you want to save your daughter you must begin to observe Shabbat."
"Shabbat? You mean not drive or turn on lights and those things on Saturday? Rebbe," he replied "I can't do such a thing. I'm a very busy man and I'm not a religious Jew. I don’t even know what to do. Here!" he took out his checkbook put it on the Rebbe's desk and began writing, "Here. One hundred thousand dollars! Please, Rebbe, please add this to the first check. Just save my daughter."
The Rebbe looked at him even more intently and said, "Mr. Solomon I am here to help you, not my institutions. If you want to help your daughter keep the Sabbath."
"Rebbe, here!" Said Solomon as he signed his name to a third check and placed it before the Rebbe. "It's an open check. Write what you want. Take what you need, just save her!!" Looking deeply into the Rebbe's eyes for some hope.
"G-d is responsible for her healing." the Rebbe replied. "You must appeal to Him. I can only help with prayer but you must also do your part”. "At least keep the Sabbath. Then your daughter will be healthy and you will even see grandchildren from her."
Mr. Solomon gathered up his checks. Said he would think about it, shook the Rebbe's hand and left closing the door after him. He waited around for a while outside the door hoping that the Rebbe would call him back. But he didn't and Solomon returned to the hospital empty handed and told his wife what happened.
That night he couldn't sleep. The meeting with the Rebbe made a deep impression on him. The Rebbe's face danced before his eyes saying "I am here to help you, not to help my projects. Keep Shabbat". It was the first time in his life he met a man that was not interested in his own personal profit.
Meanwhile Sarah's condition deteriorated.
"Nu" He said to his wife. This Shabbat we won't drive or turn on any lights. I mean we'll be staying in the hospital anyway so we have nowhere to go. And I remember seeing my grandfather make Kiddush so I can do that. We can at least begin to do what Rabbi Shneerson said and see what happens."
The next day, Sunday, there was some improvement and the day after they kept the next Shabbat she opened her eyes for the first time in a month.
In a few months their daughter Sarah became completely healed, eventually got married and raised a fine family and Mr. and Mrs. Solomon became 'Shomer Shabbos' Jews.
This answers our questions about Abraham and what he accomplished.
Abraham showed that it is possible to love G-d and be totally devoted to the truth UNCONDITIONALLY as the Rebbe did in our story; doing what G-d wants with no ulterior motive or thought of repayment.
Since Adam ate from the tree and brought selfishness into the world even the most spiritual and righteous people and the religions they founded were built on promises of bliss in heaven and success on earth.
Abraham turned things around. He was the first to reveal that it is possible to devote ourselves solely what the Creator wants; to selflessly perfect the entire creation despite all obstacles like the Rebbe did to Mr. Solomon in our story.
That is the novelty of Abraham and the foundation of Judaism.
And Moses took it to a higher level when he received the Torah. As Maimonides explains (Yesodi HaTorah 8:1)
That will be the essence of Moshiach; the ‘Messiah that Jews have been awaiting for thousands of years. His will improve the entire creation by bringing Jews to Torah and Gentiles to the Noahide Commandments; something like what Mr. Solomon in our story saw in the Rebbe and exactly what Abraham wanted for all humanity.
That is why Abraham is called the ‘Father’ of Judaism; he inherited this trait to all Jews in all generations. And also the Father of all Mankind (Gen. 17:4) because he empowered the Jews to inspire all the world to do the Noahide Commandments.
May we all utilize the legacy of Abraham and do all we can; even one more good deed, word or even thought, to bring.... And as the Rebbe said repeatedly; this should happen at any moment.
We are standing on the merits of thousands of years of Jewish service, hopes, prayers and suffering. Now it could be that just one more good deed, word or even thought if done with JOY can bring .....
Moshiach NOW!!
Rabbi Tuvia Bolton
Yeshiva Ohr Tmimim
Kfar Chabad, Israel
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