Sermons and Divrei Torah
The Akedah
by Emily Caruso
(Dvar Torah - Rosh Hashanah 5765)
Shana Tova
When Rabbi Goldstein asked me to give this d'var Torah I thought to myself: "what will I say about this parsha, I who have been Jewish for all of a month and a half?" What do I have to add to the volumes of commentary already written by those far more learned than I? I am neither father, son, nor, as of yet, mother to anyone, so how do I approach this text that throws those relationships so dramatically into relief?
Well, for me this parsha is all about choice. Choice is woven throughout the story. Avraham must, right off the top choose to listen to G-d, must choose to respond to G-d's voice. How easy would it have been to say to himself "not again!" and ignore the call. Avraham chooses to respond, to react. "Here I am" he says.
From then on, quite frankly, he doesn't say much. As Everett Fox notes, "he is described with a series of verbs: starting early, saddling, taking, splitting, arising, going." Avraham and Yitzak embark on their three-day journey to Mount Moriah. Three days! Imagine three days of walking – every step a choice. Do I continue toward this uncertain and potentially heartbreaking future or do I turn back with my beloved son, toward safety and security at home? What choice do I make?
As Avraham's journey is saturated with choice, so are all of our journeys.
People like to call me a Jew by choice. Although well intentioned, I have a hard time with this label. We are all Jews by choice. We choose to come here, on the second day of Rosh Hashanah to celebrate and observe this time of renewal and introspection.
This parsha calls me, as I hope it calls you, to go on making Jewish choices this year and every year to come. To choose justice, compassion and love toward all those you meet on your journey. It calls me to listen for G-d's voice, to respond to it and to act. Would that we should all be described with a series of verbs.
Thank you and shana tova.
Sermons and Divrei Torah
Additional Resources
Elul: Period of Preparation
Yamim Noraim: Days of Awe
Rosh Hashanah: Introduction
Shofar Symbolism
The Custom of Tashlich
Yom Kippur: Introduction
G'mar Chatima Tova...
