20 – Perceptions We Emanate
בייה
Genesis 20: The Perceptions We Emanate?
Study Partners, people choose the impression they want to give. Giving a good impression is NOT wrong. Giving a false or deceptive impression may be wrong. It depends. Sometimes the impression that we give may be determined by our situation. It may be entirely acceptable if we hide or omit specific details to give a good impression. There are times when telling a bald-faced lie might be acceptable if we intend to protect ourselves or others from harm or death.
Let us consider the following situation: An elderly woman who has been a member of the local congregation since childhood approaches several ladies after services with a question about the dress she has been wearing every week for years. What do you say? Keep in mind that her family is affluent philanthropists. They have been pillars in the community going back at least three generations. The community depends upon their generous support. She is a kind, loving individual who has worn the same ugly dress for years. You detest her favorite dress. The elderly woman wants to know do you like her favorite dress. Perhaps, she will purchase the same dress for you to wear every Sabbath.
Realizing that so much is riding upon your answer, do you lie? You know, If you tell her the truth, she will be deeply hurt and offended, and who knows what else. Her family employs many individuals in the local Jewish community. Unknown to you, she has ten of the exact same outfits cleaned, pressed, and hanging in her closet at home. You teach your children always to be truthful. So, do you tell her the truth, or do you lie? If you tell the truth, your husband may lose his job. Your family may be severely ostracized and run out of the community. All these thoughts rush through your mind. You know that (Proverbs 6.16) says, ‘God Hates a liar [lying tongue] and that lying is a sin. All of a sudden, the heat is on you and you begin perspiring. You feel singled out, weak, and vulnerable. What do you do?
It may seem like I have been overdramatic until we understand what Abraham and his wife, Sarah experienced in Genesis chapter 20. Our sages teach Abraham’s statement to Abimelech regarding Sarah was deliberately vague for an important reason that goes back almost 25 years. (Genesis 12.11 – 13) shares Abraham’s request. ‘Abraham said to Sarah, his wife, ‘I know that you are a pretty woman to look upon. Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see you, that they shall say, This is his wife, and they will kill me, but you they will keep alive. please say that you are my sister; so that it will go well for me and my soul shall live because of you.’
Knowing that If we were to go back in time, we might be privy to a discussion between Abraham and Pharaoh’s Chief Executive Officer over Customs. (Genesis 12.14) says, ‘When Abraham came to Egypt.’ Rashi asks where Sarah is? (Bereisheit 40.5) says, ‘Abraham locked Sarah in a chest to protect her. When Abraham came to the customs-house, the customs officer demanded, ‘Pay your custom dues.’
Abraham said, ‘I will pay.’
‘You carry fine garments in that chest,’ said the Customs Officer.
Abraham responded, ‘Fine, I will pay the dues for fine garments.’
‘You are carrying silks,’ he asserted. ‘
Abraham said, all right, I will pay the custom for fine silks.’
The Customs Officer said, ‘NO!’ You are carrying precious stones.’
‘I will pay the custom for precious stones, then jewels, then silver, and so forth. Each time Abraham offered to pay the customs taxes.’ That was not good enough. The Chief Executive Officer over Customs demands! You are hiding the contents. You must open it so we can see what it contains.’ As soon as Abraham opened the chest, the Egyptians saw Sarah. They were dazzled by her beauty. Sarah was beautiful. (Genesis 12.16) says, ‘The princes of Pharaoh also saw her, and praised her to Pharaoh; and the woman was taken to Pharaoh’s palace.’ And he treated Abram well for her sake; and [Pharaoh] gave [Abraham] sheep, oxen, male asses, menservants, maidservants, and female asses, and camels [to win Abraham’s favor].
Now We need to refocus on Abraham’s deception in (Genesis 20). Abraham definitely gave the impression that Sarah was his sister, yet we know that Sarah was Abraham’s wife. In (Genesis 20.12) Abraham tells Abimelech, ‘[Sarah] is my sister; she is my father’s daughter, but not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife.’ Abraham’s servants, Herdsman, Torah Talmidim, parents, relatives, and followers watched to see where this all led. Bang! Wack and Wow!
The Lord God Knew all the details of Abraham’s deception scheme. Yet, Abraham was not reproved. Why? Each of us can conjecture why. The point is that Abraham made a judgment call. His perception was that it was necessary to preserve the prophecy in (Genesis 15; 17 ) and (Genesis 18.18 – 19) says, ‘Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed through him. For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the Way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may Bring upon Abraham that which he has spoken of him.’
So we learn that a false perception may be necessary to protect and preserve the future. There is no need to feel guilt in such situations. May we stay within the Torah’s Guidelines Of righteous living and repentance. May we help others and bring peace and healing to our world. May this coming Sabbath and every Sabbath be a blessed Day.
Good Sabbath!
Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk
