- JEWISHPATH -
Parshas Vayera
Genesis 18:1 - 22:24
 
Avraham's Controversy ©
By Dr. Akiva G. Belk

This study of mysticism in Hebrew Gematria is dedicated in the loving memory of Mr. Donald Wayne Belk and Mr. Gary Lee Belk, may they rest in peace.

The Story Of Jews Facing Controversery:
There was a middle aged couple that moved into the Jewish community. They purchased a home that was considerably rundown. They purchased the home from the sons of a Jewish widow who passed away. The house was structurally sound but in a very rundown condition. They hired an electrician to check the electrical, a plumber to check the plumbing, a carpenter to make repairs and some minor updating and a painter / plasterer to patch, paint and wallpaper. Removal of old stained carpet revealed hard oak wood floors which in places had to be replaced. All in all, they completely refurbished this older home. It was a lovely place when it was restored. I believe it was their intention to live there the rest of their lives but as things happened they were transferred to another location after a short time and had to move. They listed their house and sold it. Several months after selling their home they received a phone call from the real estate agent. It seems that the individuals who purchased their former home were dissatisfied ... The new owners claimed this Jewish couple had lied on their disclosure form and had deceived them which they claimed resulted in serious damages to the garden level and the need for additional plumbing work.

After their real estate agent related the false charges to them they felt very, very disappointed. In their hearts they knew they had not lied or deceived the new owners on their disclaimer form! Obviously this was a very difficult position for the former owners as well as the new owners ... This is a very unfortunate situation but it is not New!! The former Jewish owners spent much money upgrading and restoring the home. After months of restoration the home was very beautiful. There was no lie or deception! They had no knowledge or record of any plumbing problems during their ownership of their former home. So months later, non Jews begin slinging false charges and threats of lawsuits ...

Holy reader, it is not so unusual for honest, diligent Jews to face controversy. Unfortunately it happens. Most recently, the horrible difficulties of violence and death that began in Yisroel which were supposedly the result of a Jewish leader visiting the Temple Site. However this leader was invited there by non Jews who used this to provoke riots and the unrest that has followed... Recently a major East Coast newspaper carried a front page picture of what they claimed was an Israeli soldier standing over a beaten Arab child. It turns out this was a Jewish Yeshiva student that an Israeli soldier was offering medical assistance to after he had been beaten by non Jews.

Why should we be so surprised by outrageous false accusations like these? Our father Avraham over 3,500 years ago faced such controversy with King Avimelech. Unfortunately Avraham's controversy continues in this week's parsha.

The Torah records, "It was at this time, Avimelech and Pichol, his general, spoke to Avraham, saying, 'G-d {as in G-d as Creator, Owner and Judge} is with you in all that you do. 'Now, swear to me here, by G-d, that you will not deal falsely with me, with my son, or my grandson. The kindness that I have done to you, do to me and to the land in which you lived for awhile.' Avraham said, 'I will swear.' Avraham then reprimanded Avimelech regarding the well of water that Avimelech's servants had taken by force. Avimelech said, 'I don't know who did this thing.' 'You also never told me, and I also heard nothing of it until today.' Avraham took sheep and cattle and gave them to Avimelech. The two of them made a covenant {an agreement}. Avraham set seven ewes apart to by themselves. Avimelech said to Avraham, 'What is the reason for these seven ewes that you have set apart?' He {Avraham} said, 'Take these seven ewes from my hand so that it will be proof for me, that I dug this well.' Therefore he called that place Beer Sheva, since the two had made an oath there. They made a covenant in Beer Sheva. Avimelech and Pichol, his general, then rose and returned to to the land of the Philistines..." Genesis 21:22-32

Dear reader, at an earlier time Avimelech said to Avraham, "Behold my land is before you. Live wherever you see fit." Genesis 20:15 Avimelech's statement represents ownership. This is reinforced by Avimelech's denial of any knowledge of wrongdoing... If the land was his to do with as he pleased then a denial would not have been necessary! But because the land belonged to Avraham it was necessary for King Avimelech to deny any knowledge of the improper seizure of Avraham's well. We observe denials and claims of ignorance. What we don't see is the material for peace, for resolving the problem ...

We observe this in the word Vi Hoh Chee Ach, meaning to "admonish, reprove, reprimand and also to prove, to establish." So we learn that Avraham both reprimanded Avimelech and proved to him his claim that his land and well had been stolen, taken... by force.

From right to left:

Vi Hoh Chee Ach
45 =
Ches = 8 + Chof = 20 + Vav = 6 + Hey = 5 + Vav = 6

On the one hand we have the admonition and proof and on the other hand we have the nature of man, the nature of men like Avimelech with the word Mah, meaning "Who" {You're kidding} "What" {I don't believe it} "Why" {They couldn't have done such a thing...} We also see the nature of "they" or "them" in Haym. We also observe the difference between righteousness {as in the righteousness of G-d} and deception / falsity of man {as in Avimelech} with the word Vee Chah Zayv meaning a difference between G-d and man is that 'He {G-d} does not lie like man, He {G-d} is not deceitful / false like man is." We observe all this in the Gematria of 45.

 

Mah
45 =
Hey = 5 + Mem = 40

Haym
45 =
Mem = 40 + Hey = 5

Vee Chah Zayv
45 =
Bais = 2 + Zayin = 7 + Chof = 20 + Yud = 10 + Vav = 6

We read nothing of Avimelech's inquiry into the matter of Avraham's claim... We read nothing of Avimelech questioning his general Pichol who was there with him regarding the incident... Avimelech's only expressions are ignorance and denial!! All we observe is the "Who" {You're kidding!} and "What" {I don't believe it!} and "Why" {They couldn't have done such a thing}... Avimelech expresses no regret! Avimelech expresses no sorrow!! Avimelech expresses no intent to investigate the matter. He says nothing of arresting the violators. He says nothing of prosecuting the thieves. He does not assure Avraham that he will look into the matter. He does not say the land will be returned...

This type of conduct is NOT the basis for peace! This is not the basis for cooperation and equal and safe existence! Holy reader, these types of problems: lies, denials, ignorance, absolution from prosecution for the guilty, freedom from restitution, amnesty for the guilty, etc... are the same problems that Yisroel faces today. These are the same problems Jews have faced for years... They are NOT the foundation stones for peace. This is why Avraham both proved his claim and reprimanded Avimelech.

Praying for our best,

Dr. Akiva G. Belk

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