Genesis

בייה

Dear Ones, our Torah discussion begins with a teachable moment. Throughout the Torah, there are many places to pause for reflection. We will go there shortly.

Before we begin, please remember that Judaism is not a religion. Judaism is a way of living. However, NO human is a God or the son of God, a superhuman or controlling power. Judaism is a path of honest, moral, wholesome, righteous, virtuous, ethical, and holy living. (Psalms 119.105) says, ‘Your word [i.e., the Torah] is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.’ Reflective moments like the one we are about to discuss are throughout the Torah. (Genesis 42.1) shares a perception/reflection of Jacob.‘And [when] Jacob perceived that there was grain in Egypt, Jacob said to his sons, ”Why do you look one upon another?” And he said, ”Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; get down there, and buy for us from there; that we may live, and not die.”’

People can have reflections at any time, night or day. Most of my reflections are at times when it is quiet when my mind is not cluttered, and when I am not busy. Individuals often struggle to set aside quiet time for mindful reflection. Fathers and mothers are so very busy. Wives who are lovely and precious like pearls are ALWAYS busy from rising to retiring. Often, they are burdened with many responsibilities. What about Jacob? Regardless of his responsibilities as a husband of four wives, thirteen children, and may grandchildren, he somehow found time to reflect even though he was a sage, a prophet, a patriarch, and a boss. As noted above, the Holy Scripture states, ‘And [when] Jacob perceived,’ i.e., noticed a disturbing behavior among his adult children. They were acting differently than they should, so he commented to them about their odd behavior. He saw something. He said something. He didn’t know what the root of their bizarre behavior was. Yet, he observed that their conduct was suddenly going in a negative direction.

Some things should cause parents of adult children to speak up and speak out. Making oneself heard is sometimes the correct course of action. Our Creator has a goal for us. We have essential responsibilities to fulfill. Acting is necessary because a precedence is being set/established that will impact our world.

We are the teachers. Our children are supposed to learn from us. (Genesis 18.18-19) says, ‘Abraham shall become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him. [WHY?] For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of our Lord, to do justice and judgment; so that our Lord may bring upon Abraham that which He has spoken of him.’(Isaiah 42.6) says, ‘We [the Jewish people] are a light to the nations.’ (Genesis 12.3) states, ‘In you [the descendants of Abraham] shall all families of the earth be blessed.’In other words, what we say and do impact the entire world. Certain things should cause us to have a natural or spiritual reaction as the descendants of Jacob/Israel. Why? [Moses taught us that ‘Adonoy has distinguished [us] to be a treasured people for Him. He [appointed us] to guard all His Commandments, and to place [us]` superior to all the nations He made, for praise and for renown and for glory, and so that you may be a people sanctified to Adonoy, your God, as He said,’ (Deuteronomy 26.18-19).

Jacob was chiding his sons because they did not have that reaction. When our feet follow the Torah, we should react to good and evil, love and hate. We should have Spiritual reactions and moral reactions. Jacob’s sons were adults. Still, they were his children. As a parent, Jacob had an obligation to speak up.

Raising children in accord with the Torah is our future. Who is the real us? How we act, how we talk, and how we live is paramount. Jacob was concerned about the perception in the community. Maintaining good relations in the community is essential. Jacob preferred a non-confrontational path, i.e., negotiation and appeasement.

His sons were husbands and fathers, they were being irresponsible. They had a duty to love and provide for their households. Husbands must be faithful to their wives and good role models for their children. That is the way of the Torah. Unfortunately, our lives have been impacted by bad seeds. What is the purpose of every Rosh Chodesh? What is the intent of preparing for the day of judgment? What is the foundation of Rosh Ha Shanna? Acknowledge! Repent! Return! RETURN EXISTS FOR A REASON!! The honest, moral, wholesome, righteous, virtuous, ethical, and holy pathway exists because it is the way we can love and live with each other in peace and harmony. Jacob was right to approach his sons about what he saw in their repulsive behavior. Jacob’s intent was for them to return. We are approaching the season of return. May we reach out to our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren with the message of Truth, Hope, and Return. This is how we repair our world and how we make our world a better place. May the Creator of all guide our message of return, blessings, health, prosperity, kindness, and peace,

May our Lord Bless us in our daily walk, and may we stay within Torah’s guidelines. May we bring peace and healing to our world. May this coming Sabbath and every Sabbath be a blessed Day.

Good Sabbath!

Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk

Author