“Run to do Good”
Abraham runs to invite visitors into his tent,
three days after his circumcision,
at the height of the post procedure pain.
"He ran towards them from the entrance of the tent and bowed to the ground.'
With great alacrity and fervor, he runs to offer kindness to passing travelers.
In this week's Torah reading Eliezer is sent by his master, Abraham,
on a mission to find a wife for his son, Isaac.
Eliezer arrives at a well at evening time and prays for success.
No sooner had he finished asking God for help
than Rebecca arrived there.
She gives Eliezer a drink and then,
"She hurried and emptied her jug into the trough,
and kept running to the well to draw water,
and she drew for all his camels."
In Rebecca we see an intense desire to give and do for others.
These are two examples of many
demonstrating how our ancestors literally
seized all available opportunities to be kind.
Rebecca not only gives Eliezer a drink as he requested
but she also thought about his camels.
Without being asked she provided for water for them.
This shows her ability to think beyond herself,
to anticipate a need and then fill it.
Kindness coupled with wisdom.
This week we also learn of the death of both Abraham and Sarah.
Sarah dies first.
Abraham eulogizes her, bewails her,
then he gets up and secures a burial place for her.
He negotiates and pays a high price for the Cave of Machpelah,
which is where he buries her.
Burying our dead, we are taught,
is one of the kindnesses that
we are rewarded for in this world and the next.
We too run, like Abraham, to bury our dead.
Traditionally it is done as quickly as possible.
The body needs to be buried in the ground
to allow the soul to ascend into the spiritual realms.
The Cave of Machpelah is a location of inspiration and consolation.
Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, and Jacob and Leah are buried there
Their lives inspire us to run to be kind
We are consoled knowing that their ways and character traits
continue on in us and are therefore still living.
May we be presented with many opportunities to act kindly.
May we run to fill the needs of others.
May we embody the good character traits of our ancestors and
like them live meaningful and fulfilled lives
Shabbat shalom and much love
Elissa
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