6 December 2024
Week 1-7 December 2024
Torah portion: Genesis 28, 10-32,3 Haftarah: Hosea 12,13-14,10
Theme: Surely the Lord is in this place
In the view of the current events in this world, are we able to utter this sentence: “truly this is the Lords place!” the 28, 20 verse, that speaks of the same theme; “if (IM) God will be with me and will keep me…”. On the other hand it is rather interesting to see how the Jewish sages commented on this passage; Rabbi Acha for example said “from here you infer that there is no assurance to the righteousness of this world.” While another sage, Ramban, took the same line of argument; “im does not indicate a doubt in the matter, but such is the way of the Scripture when referring to future events, such as : until ‘im asithi’ (I have done). And so also: ‘Ve’im’ there shall be the jubilee of the children of Israel. In all these cases it means that there will come a time when the condition is satisfied…” This line of thought makes it clear that the world we inhabit is a paradox of perfection, with beauty intertwined with absurdity. It stands as both an essence to be admired and a force to be feared. When we observe nature, we cannot help but exclaim its beauty. Yet, in times of deluge or catastrophic events, we face a stark reality, feeling helpless and diminutive against the unfolding terror. This prompts us to acknowledge our place before the Creator of this world. We must accept that we do not possess the ability or knowledge to master all beings within it. The exact timing of his appointed day remains a mystery, but it is certain to come when we least expect it—like a thief in the night, as proclaimed in the Gospel of the Lord.
When we reflect on the first chapter of creation, it is clear that the world is both beautiful and perfect. The Lord is undeniably with us, guiding us through both the good times and the challenges we face. In addition, despite our intelligence and virtues, humanity has repeatedly failed to live in peace. Moreover, advances in science have not eradicated all the illnesses we encounter. However, we cannot claim that humanity is inherently ugly or dull, as such a statement contradicts our very nature, which is rooted in the divine
For Reflection and Discussion: 1. Does my desire to possess things surpass my humility? 2. Do I still have the time to appreciate myself and the world around me as a creation of the Lord?
Bibliography: McKenzie, J.L. Dictionary of the Bible (New York: 1965), RAMBAN, Nachmanides, Commentary on the Torah, Shilo Pub., New York, 1971
This week’s Parasha Commentary was prepared by
Jefferson Philip Jacob Reyes, France , Bat kol /Alumnus: 2019
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