Genesis

בייה

Genesis 19 – Choices

Our study is offered In The Loving Memory of William Keith Bond, ז”ל,

(Genesis 19) shares the painful story of Sarah’s older brother, Lot, Edith [Edis, Iddit, Irith], his wife, daughters, children, grandchildren, sons-in-law, and more. They were often in trouble because of their poor choices. It’s like their lives were one layer upon another of unwise choices that eventually brought God’s Judgment down on the wicked community where they lived. That is so sad!

God Overthrew the nation of sodomites because of their sins. The sodomites grew proud because of their riches and great wealth; they became unjust towards men and impious towards God, insomuch that they did not call to mind the advantages they received from God. They hated strangers and abused them with sodomitical practices. Therefore, God was greatly displeased with them and determined to punish them for their pride, overthrow their city, and lay waste to their country until there should be no plant or fruit growing out of it.

Does it seem like practices in our world are going that wicked way? Our world is engulfed in one form or another of frightful peril! Some people feel like we may be living on the edge of destruction. Are they right? Does your world feel like it is crashing around you? Do you feel trouble coming from just about every direction? Sometimes, do you feel like I’m just not good enough? I can’t make the grade! There’s no hope for me! I think there is more to life than following all the obligations outlined in Ha Torah according to the rabbis. Well, those are feelings, and sometimes our feelings are mistaken. It is up to us to determine. Emotions can motivate us or depress us.

The facts are that Lord is ever present. Hope abounds!! The disaster Lot and his loved ones were trapped in was avoidable. The outcome could have been entirely different if Lot had made good choices. Some of us may struggle with decisions that could impact our lives and the lives of those we love. Yet, we can improve our lives immensely by making good choices!! Our goal should be to unite our family with the Jewish community. We want to support good honest, ethical, and moral practices. If, on occasion, one takes a wrong turn, misses a connection, or wanders a little off course, Lord, Ha Torah, Spouse, Family, and community are there to help us.

Lot’s father, Haran, waffled back and forth according to Louis Ginzberg’s Legends of the Jews 1:5. ‘Haran was irresolute/hesitant in his faith. He could not decide whether to adhere to Abraham or the idolaters. When it occurred that those who would not serve idols were cast into the fiery furnace, Haran reasoned in this manner: “Abraham, being my elder, will be called upon before me. If he comes forth out of the fiery trial triumphant, I will declare my allegiance to him; otherwise, I will take sides against him.” After God, Himself had rescued Abraham from death, and Haran’s turn came to confess his faith, he announced his adherence to Abraham. But scarcely had he come near the furnace when he was seized by the flames and consumed because he lacked firm faith in God.’ He didn’t develop a solid foundation.

(Deuteronomy 6.4-9) instructs us, ‘Hear, O Israel; Lord, our God, is One Lord; And you shall love Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and all your might. And these words, which I command you this day, shall be in your heart; And you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. And you shall bind them for a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. And you shall write them upon the posts of your house and on your gates.’ Please do not think of this in extreme terms. Ha Torah is speaking about a mild, gentle interaction.

Ha Torah associates the father and son as sitting together in their home. Ha Torah Says, ‘You shall talk of them [The Observances of Ha Torah] when you sit in your house.’ The father and son should sit together and learn Ha Torah.

Ha Torah associates the father and son walking to the congregation together for morning, afternoon, and evening prayers. Ha Torah Says, ‘You shall talk of them [The Observances of Ha Torah] when you walk on the way.’

Ha Torah associates the father and son retiring for the evening simultaneously. Ha Torah Says, ‘You shall talk of them [The Observances of Ha Torah] when you lie down.’

Ha Torah associates the father and son arising at the same time. ‘You shall talk of them [The Observances of Ha Torah] when you rise.’ If the father arises for mid of night Prayers as king David did, then the son arises with him.

Ha Torah draws a close association between the father and his sons.

(Proverbs 12.15) reminds us, ‘The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who listens to counsel is wise.‘ Lot separated himself and all he owned from his uncle, the Prophet Abraham. Why? He was attracted to the wicked cities in the valley of the Jordan. – See (Genesis 13.10).

Like many other families, Lot’s family faced peril and tragic events because they didn’t stay on the path. Lot waffled like his father. His Uncle Abraham was an excellent example to him. Lord testified on behalf of Abraham, saying in (Genesis 18.19) ‘I know [Abraham], that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the Way of Lord, to do justice and judgment; so that Lord may bring upon Abraham that which He has spoken of him.’

(Psalms 119.97-105) ‘O, how I love Your Torah! It is my meditation all day. Your commandments have made me wiser than my enemies; for they are always with me…I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep Your Word/Torah. I have not departed from Your judgments; for You have taught me. How sweet are Your Words to my taste! More precious than honey to my mouth! Through Your Precepts, I get understanding; therefore, I hate every false way. Your Word/Torah is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Where do we read of Haran or Lot attending the Academy of Shem and Ever or studying in the Tents of learning?

In ברכות השחר – Birkhot Ha Shachar – ‘Blessings of the dawn’ We try to take a few minutes to reflect on a brief paragraph based on a quote from (Pirkei Avot 1.18). ‘Rabban Shimon ben Gamaliel used to say: Our world stood on three things: Justice, Truth, and Peace, as it is said: ‘These are the things that you shall do; Speak every man the truth to his neighbor; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates;’(Zechariah 8:16).

Our children and grandchildren are carbon copies of us! Let’s be cautious with the words and thoughts we place before them. The walls of our home witness what we say and do. They repeat our words and follow our style of living.

Haran did not experience God as Abraham did. Haran was influenced by his father, Terach, Lot’s grandfather. Terach was an idolater and a manufacturer of Idols. Nahor, Haran, and Abraham were raised in an environment of idols and idolatry. Lot had ethical and moral deficiencies in his marriage, among his children, his grandchildren, and his servant relationships. How do we know this?

Harry Chapin is famous for co-writing and recording Cats in the Cradle. The song is about a man too busy to invest time in his son’s life. The lyrics tell a story of a boy growing up to become just like his father eventually.

I have made poor choices as well. Have you? Sadly poor choices may last a lifetime and more, but I hope and pray they won’t! God Willing, there is still time for us to reflect on the changes we must make and be mindful of the best way to improve.

May we stay within Ha Torah’s Guidelines of righteous living and repentance. May we help others and bring peace and healing to our world. May this Sabbath and every Sabbath be a blessed Day.

Good Sabbath!

Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk

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