Talk is cheap. During the recent election campaigns in both Ottawa and the United States, we have certainly heard plenty of promises. Making a promise is easy. The real question is whether you can—and will—follow through with action.
In last week’s Parsha, we see Avraham as the model of someone who says little but does a lot. In this week’s Parsha – Chayei Sarah, we encounter Efron the Hittite, who is the very opposite: someone who promises a great deal but delivers very little. Efron initially offers to give Avraham the field containing the Cave of Machpelah for free, but ultimately sells it to him for an exorbitant price. His words sound generous, but his actions tell a very different story.
There is another lesson in this week’s Parsha about the importance of actions, this time in the area of educating our children and influencing others.
Over the course of three Parshiot, the Torah follows the story of Avraham and the birth of his son Yitzchak, the second patriarch of the Jewish people and the one through whom the Jewish legacy would continue. Interestingly, throughout the entire Torah, we find only one recorded conversation between Avraham and Yitzchak – as they head to the location of the Akeidah.
Yet earlier, Hashem tells us (Bereishit 18:19): “For I have chosen him so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of Hashem, doing righteousness and justice.”
Rashi explains that Hashem chose Avraham because he would teach his children to follow in Hashem’s ways. Yet, despite this important responsibility, the Torah never gives us an example of Avraham sitting down with Yitzchak to teach him how to live or what he should do.
We know that Yitzchak got the message. At the Akeidah, he demonstrated extraordinary faith in Hashem and willingly submitted himself to being offered as a sacrifice.
Of course, we can be sure that Avraham spoke to Yitzchak and taught him about Hashem. But the most important way that Avraham taught him was through modeling. The most powerful way to teach our children and influence others is not through what we tell them, but through what we show them.
Avraham’s life was itself a lesson. His kindness, generosity, devotion to Hashem and unwavering faith provided Yitzchak with a living example of what it means to follow in Hashem’s ways.
If we truly want to make a difference in the lives of others, especially our children, we need to model the behaviour we hope to see. We can offer advice, give instructions and make promises, but ultimately, it is our actions that leave the deepest impression.
Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Shaps and the JET Team
