Parashat Chayei Sarah and Compassionate Response

Today's news of attemped attacks on our country and, notably for the Jewish community, explosive packages bound for Chicago citizens has caused our nation to reflect on the past 10 years and on how one moment's madness can change everything. While it appears that al Qaeda may be responsible for these attempted attacks, it is important, especially at times like these, that we not blame an entire people for the wrongdoings of some. As Jews, we know what it is like to be falsely charged with creating harm - blood libels, plagues, financial ruin - when we were not responsible, definitely not as a people, and usually not as individuals, either. Instead, our tradition teaches us the value of compassion. There will likely be voices in the coming days, weeks, and even months, that will place blame on all Muslims for the actions of a fringe element in Islam. Be not mistaken: what has transpired over the past day or hours has not been the work of the Muslim community.

This week's Torah portion, Chayei Sarah, teaches us the value of compassion in Jewish tradition. When Abraham sends Eliezer to find a wife for Abraham's son, Isaac, there is a litmus test that the would-be bride must pass. The young woman who would not only offer to provide water for Eliezer, but also for his camels, would be worthy of marrying Isaac. Abravanel teaches that the woman who would marry Isaac had to be compassionate, kind, and generous. In her Torah commentary, Studies in Bereshit, Nehama Leibowitz explains that "Rebecca was not satisfied with running once to the well and drawing water. She took the trouble to make a number of journeys to and fro, each time letting down her pitcher, filling it, and giving them to drink." She goes on to teach that those who would take pity on Rebecca for having to go through "all of this trouble to quench the thirst of a total stranger and his cmaels, would do well to remember Akavia ben Mahallel's maxim in the Mishnah: Better that I should be dubbed a fool for the rest of my days, rather than become a wicked man for one hour before the Omnipotent (Mishnah Eduyot 5:6).

Better we should be deemed fools for the rest of our days for not blaming an entire people for the actions of some, than that we scapegoat an entire people and in turn offend God.