Dear Friends,
The Torah reading for Rosh Hashanah’s Second Day, which we read on the First Day this Shabbat, is the Binding of Isaac story.
God tests Abraham by sending him to offer his beloved son, Isaac, as a sacrifice on Mt. Moriah, later destined to be Har HaBayit – the Temple Mount of Jerusalem. Abraham woke early in the morning, saddled his ass, and went to do God’s bidding. But a messenger of God stayed Abraham’s hand. Inste4ad, Abraham offered a ram which was caught by its horns in a thicket, hence providing the ram’s horn – the shofar – which we blow as a reminder of Abraham’s piety.
Overlooked in the vignette is the little phrase, “saddled his ass.” [Gen. 22:3] What could we learn from that little tidbit in the verse?
Midrash Genesis Rabbah explains: Though Abraham had servants, he himself saddled his animal, being so zealous in his love for God. True love never calculates the effort demanded by duty.
In short, champions of good need to be vigilant to do the work of righteousness. One cannot sit back and rely on another, even if one has others who might work in some capacity on their behalf.
There is too much to do, especially right now. In the mundane category, it was just September 15 – some of us had taxes which were due. That is our own responsibility, our own saddles to hoist – not to be deferred to another. Similarly, absentee or mail-in ballots can be requested at this time, to allow those who wish to vote safely this fall. Each of us must do this, ourselves.
And, in the sacred category – our Tradition teaches that this day commences our Ten Days of Repentance which concludes on Yom Kippur. There is no proxy or employee who can do our repentance, our self-evaluation and personal adjustments for us. Only we can face our shortcomings, offer our sincere apologies, and give our tzedakah. We have our own asses to saddle, and they cannot be delegated to another. Rosh Hashanah, and righteousness, demand of us to lift our own burdens.
The midrash teaches us to be like Abraham: zealous in pursuit of righteousness.
May zeal for goodness prevail in this New Year!
Shabbat Shalom, and L’Shanah Tovah!
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
The Torah reading for Rosh Hashanah’s Second Day, which we read on the First Day this Shabbat, is the Binding of Isaac story.
God tests Abraham by sending him to offer his beloved son, Isaac, as a sacrifice on Mt. Moriah, later destined to be Har HaBayit – the Temple Mount of Jerusalem. Abraham woke early in the morning, saddled his ass, and went to do God’s bidding. But a messenger of God stayed Abraham’s hand. Inste4ad, Abraham offered a ram which was caught by its horns in a thicket, hence providing the ram’s horn – the shofar – which we blow as a reminder of Abraham’s piety.
Overlooked in the vignette is the little phrase, “saddled his ass.” [Gen. 22:3] What could we learn from that little tidbit in the verse?
Midrash Genesis Rabbah explains: Though Abraham had servants, he himself saddled his animal, being so zealous in his love for God. True love never calculates the effort demanded by duty.
In short, champions of good need to be vigilant to do the work of righteousness. One cannot sit back and rely on another, even if one has others who might work in some capacity on their behalf.
There is too much to do, especially right now. In the mundane category, it was just September 15 – some of us had taxes which were due. That is our own responsibility, our own saddles to hoist – not to be deferred to another. Similarly, absentee or mail-in ballots can be requested at this time, to allow those who wish to vote safely this fall. Each of us must do this, ourselves.
And, in the sacred category – our Tradition teaches that this day commences our Ten Days of Repentance which concludes on Yom Kippur. There is no proxy or employee who can do our repentance, our self-evaluation and personal adjustments for us. Only we can face our shortcomings, offer our sincere apologies, and give our tzedakah. We have our own asses to saddle, and they cannot be delegated to another. Rosh Hashanah, and righteousness, demand of us to lift our own burdens.
The midrash teaches us to be like Abraham: zealous in pursuit of righteousness.
May zeal for goodness prevail in this New Year!
Shabbat Shalom, and L’Shanah Tovah!
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
