T orah P ortion
Let Us All Be ‘Fanatics,’ Like Abraham
BY RABBI ELCHONON FRIEDMAN
Parshat Lech Lecha
ABRAHAM WAS a fanatic. He
understood G-d to be different
from the accepted worldview
of his era. Contrary to the
popular belief that G-d was a
being of sticks and stones, stars
and planets, Abraham believed
that G-d was unlimited yet
invisible, and beyond — yet
comprising the essence of — the
entire universe. Abraham the
zealot was determined not only
to have the rights to his own
beliefs, but to also convert every
person to his way of thinking.

So how did this fanatic go
about his work transforming
the world to his radical ideas?
He invested in a hotel. He
offered delicacies, even fruits
and desserts in a desert oasis.

He fed and washed his guests
and used the opportunity to
speak to and convince his
patrons of the One G-d.

The Torah tells us how,
three days after his circumci-
sion, while still in great pain,
Abraham went to greet three
guests in the scorching sun. He
first gave them water to wash
their feet from the dirt that they
worshipped. In other words,
these were people very different
from, and quite oppositional
to, Abraham’s ideals and
beliefs. Yet Abraham went out
of his way, greeted them with a
smile and put all his remaining
energy into preparing a feast of
delicacies for his guests. After
the meal, Abraham didn’t
just say goodbye, but rather
escorted his guests along their
way, showing his true care for
their very well-being.

This week, we will mark two
years since the sad day of Oct.

27, the 18th of Cheshvan, when
senseless hatred shattered our
world, and we will also vote
to elect the president of the
United States of America.

Let’s all remember that the
most successful fanatic ever,
the one whose vision is shared
by billions of people the world
over, didn’t fight or shout,
demean or sow hatred. He
showed care to each and every
human being, and made clear
that he wasn’t fighting for his
own biases but rather as part of
his love for another.

The road to changing our
country and world for the
better doesn’t begin with
shouting down a neighbor or
accusing a friend or stranger
of being radical and stupid. It
begins with sharing a hello,
having a meal together, and
showing basic civility, love and
care for another — even those
we might totally disagree with.

On this
foundation, long-term change happens
for the good. When we get
caught up in who’s perfect,
right or wrong, we foment
CAN DL E L IGHTIN G
Oct. 30
Nov. 6
anger, divisiveness and a world
devoid of values.

But it’s more than just being
right. Winners and losers don’t
make the world more peaceful
and perfect. Rather, the ability
to have a multitude of people,
with distinct voices and ideas
that blend together to create
the most beautiful music and
harmony, is the true perfection
we all strive for.

So the real quest and goal
should be in applauding
compromise and civility, and
to show care and love even for
those we disagree with. To be
able to listen and have empathy
— and ultimately, respect —
even for individuals whom
we don’t understand. That
should be our goal: a world
of G-dliness recognized in
each individual, where a vote
is not a means but rather the
very individual expression and
voice of a G-dly creation that
we respect and cherish.

5:42 p.m.

4:34 p.m.

Remember, a vote or
person ignored or demeaned
can bring, heaven forbid, the
tragedies of the past. Greater
respect, an attentive ear to
distinct voices and reaching
out to one another will bring
the everlasting peace and goal
we truly want.

The word “mitzvah” means
to connect. Our good deeds
are conduits that connect us to
G-d and our fellow man. Let’s
increase in mitzvot and acts of
goodness and kindness, and be
fanatical about it. Then we will
follow the greatest fanatic of
all time to his true dream of a
Messianic world, where peace,
harmony and G-dly revelation
will be the staple of existence.

Shabbat Shalom. l
Rabbi Elchonon Friedman is the
spiritual leader of Bnai Emunoh
Chabad in Pittsburgh. This column
is a service of the Vaad Harabanim
of Greater Pittsburgh.

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