It’s proper etiquette when introducing an important person to do so with appropriate accolades, explaining to the public why this person deserves so much attention. The same practice is followed by the Torah, when Noach is introduced to us as a righteous person, a complete person, etc., and this is why the beginning of this week’s Torah portion is, seemingly, totally unexpected.
We are told that Abraham is born, but then seemingly out of nowhere, G-d says to Abraham “leave your parents’ home … and go to the land that I will show you, and I will bless you there.” This begs the question: If Abraham is deserving of a command, let alone a blessing, shouldn’t the Torah introduce us to him by saying that he “found G-d,” “he walked in G-d’s way,” “he was a righteous man,” or any other complimentary introduction? Why is it that G-d jumps right into the discussion about Abraham, without due attention to how important he is?
To find the answer, we should first question the whole idea of the introduction. If someone is famous – let’s say a well-known athlete – is it more respectful to give a long introduction as to why this person is important (as if we don’t know already), or is it more respectful and appropriate to simply say, Let’s welcome so and so? Such a person doesn’t need an introduction; on the contrary, an introduction is an insult.
This is the difference between Noach and Abraham. Noach, figured out on his own why it is important to serve G-d, and for this he deserves credit. Abraham, on the other hand, also figured out that there is a G-d in this world, but that is not what makes him special. For Abraham, it is the fact that G-d chose him to be the father of the Jewish people that makes him special, not his discovery of G-d or his great personality.
This is a lesson for us, as Jews. G-d chose us and that is what makes us unique. But that is not enough. He also gave us a mission: Leave your parent’s home, the land of your upbringing, and go to the land that I will show you. This means that we should leave our worldly perspectives behind and focus on what really matters in life. When we pay attention to the Torah and Mitzvot that G-d has given us, we will be rewarded with blessings. Let me reiterate: What makes us special is not limited to the Torah that we learn or the Mitzvot that we perform; it is our essence, the fact that we are Jews, that matters. Once we see that as a distinct quality of the Jew, then we want to learn Torah and perform the Mitzvot.
The Torah teaches that it is the essence of who we are that is important, by the lesson of not giving Abraham much of an introduction.
Let your essence (Neshama) shine!
Edited by Geminiwordsmiths.com