25 – Comfort
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בייה Genesis 25 – Comfort This Study is in the Loving Memory of John and Kate Bond ז”ל. Dear Friends and Family, we have hope because Lord our God remains the same. We have hope because ‘Lord’s Word is forever fixed in heaven. Lord’s faithfulness endures to all generations because Lord’s Word stands firm’ (Psalms 119.89-90). It’s crucial for us to remind ourselves that we, the people of Israel, are part of the solution. People look to us for comfort, compassion, encouragement, guidance, blessings, and help. So even though our world may be a twisted, confused, degenerate, corrupt, sinful, sordid place, we have hope because Lord’s Word is forever fixed in heaven. Lord’s faithfulness endures to all generations because Lord’s Word stands firm’ (Psalms 119.89-90). One basis of our discussion is giving and receiving blessings and comfort. (Genesis 25.1) says, ‘Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah.’ Why are these six words significant? First, Abraham married again because his soul longed for comfort, companionship, stability, and a spiritual and prophetic mate. Abraham was 140 years of age when he took Keturah as his wife. Second, We are informed that her name was Keturah because Ha Torah wants us to see the spiritual essence of who Keturah is. The traditional view is Keturah is another name for Hagar, the Egyptian daughter of Pharaoh, but we don’t know that for sure. We are not going there in this discussion. Sarah and Abraham were Soulmates. Keturah and Abraham were Soulmates. Ha, Torah informs us that people may have more than one soulmate. Lord did not maroon Abraham to a life of abandonment or loneliness after Sarah died. (Genesis 24.1) says that ‘Lord blessed Abraham in all things.’ That includes the last 35 years of Abraham’s life. Abraham and Sarah experienced many trials together during their 85 years of marriage. Abraham was 52 years of age when he was bound and thrown into the fire of Casdim. Sarah was 42. That was the year 2000 From Creation. Haran, Abraham’s brother, perished that year. AFTER Haran perished, Terah, his father; Abraham and Nahor, his brothers and Lot, Sarah / Iscah and Milcah, his children, were devastated, sorrowful, and hurting. Their souls longed for comfort, companionship, and stability. Abraham married his niece, Sarah, aka Iscah. Nahor married his niece, Milcah. Uncle Abraham took his Nephew, Lot, in with him and Sarah. They needed to lean on each other. We understand this because when someone close to us dies we sit shivah and say, ‘May God comfort those who mourn in Zion.’ (Genesis 25.7-9) says that ‘Abraham lived a hundred and seventy-five years. Then Abraham expired, died in a good old age, an older man, and full of years, and was gathered to his people. And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah alongside Sarah.’ Lord informed Abraham when he was 70, ‘You shall go to your fathers in peace’ (Genesis 15.15). This passage also tells us that Terah did teshuvah and was gathered to his righteous fathers. (Genesis 25.29) says, ‘Jacob cooked pottage, i.e., red lentils’ when his Grandpa Abraham died. Red lentils are one of the foods for mourners. Jacob was sympathetic, compassionate, and comforting to those mourning the death of Abraham. (Genesis 25.17) says, ‘Ishmael lived, a hundred and thirty-seven years; and he expired and died; and was gathered to his people.’ (Yevamos 62b) says, ‘Any man without a wife lives without joy, blessing, and goodness. (Deuternomy 14.23-26) Teaches that a man needs a wife to share his joy. וּבֵיתֱךָ Oov Vay Teh Kaw – ‘And your HOUSEHOLD’ ,ie. , meaning your WIFE. (Proverbs 31.10-12) explains, ‘Who can find a PRAISEWORTHY WIFE?? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts in her, and he shall have no lack of gain. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.’ (Ezekiel 44.30) reminds husbands, ‘And the first of all the first fruits of all things, and every offering, of all your offerings, shall belong to the priests; you shall also give to the priest the first of your [wife’s] dough, that [the Priest] may cause a blessing to rest in your house.’ (Genesis 2.18) says, ‘Lord our God Said, ”It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helpmate to match him.” Let’s not forget that Mother’s Day is just around the corner. It’s a good time for us to join in Tikkun Olam. Chabad teaches that Tikkun olam is a concept in Judaism referring to various forms of action intended to repair and improve the world. In classical rabbinic literature, the phrase referred to legal enactments intended to preserve the social order. Tikkun Olam is a place where mysticism meets activism. Tikkun means to repair or improve. Olam means the entire world. In Jewish teachings, any activity that improves the world, bringing it closer to the harmonious state for which it was created, is considered Tikkun Olam. So can we help repair our world? In this discussion, we learn that our goals should be refined for us and those immediate to us. God is just, loving, kind, gracious, and forgiving. The ball is in our court. What are we going to do? May each of us be blessed with Torah Learning to encourage us, enlighten our way, help ourselves, and help others. Good Sabbath, Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk |
