Parshas Vayeira – Beyond Nature

BEYOND NATURE

By Roy S. Neuberger

We learn from Avraham Avinu that we are different from all other nations. We are directly connected with the Master of the World. We are not bound by the laws of nature.

“[Hashem] took him outside, and said, ‘Gaze, now, toward the Heavens and count the stars….” Rashi explains: “[Hashem] took [Avram] out of the space of the world and raised him above the stars. This is the [reason the possuk uses the expression] ‘gaze,’ which denotes looking from above to below.” (Beraishis 15:5)

Before I became observant, I was desperately seeking a way out of the spiritual slavery which constantly oppressed me. One of the paths I tried was involvement in “nature.” I tried to find spiritual peace in natural surroundings. I became involved in the field of environmental conservation as a spiritual pursuit to the point that “Mother Nature” became an avoda zara. 

Then I learned that nature has a Creator; it is not self-contained. Now I see that “the heavens declare the glory of G-d and the expanse of the sky tells of His handiwork.” (Tehillim 19) It is vital to be constantly aware that Hashem created the physical world, and that, when we cleave to Him, we are above nature. Our spiritual and physical existence depends on knowing this. 

Two thousand years ago, when the Bayis Shaini was destroyed, we were scattered to the Four Corners of the Earth. The likelihood that we would remain a unified Nation bound to the Torah seemed utterly nil, against all logic. But we live by the standards of Eternity. In fact, the very hatred of the world binds us together in Golus. Hashem will not let us disintegrate. No other nation could have remained a cohesive entity after such a catastrophe. “Who is like your people, one nation on earth!” (Shabbos Mincha)

It all begins in this Parsha. “Now Avraham and Sarah were old, well on in years. The course of women had ceased to be with Sarah. And Sarah laughed at her insides, saying ‘After I have withered shall I again have clear skin? And my husband is old!’” (Beraishis 18:11-12) 

Avraham and Sarah were physically incapable of bearing children. “[Avraham] said before [Hashem], ‘Master of the universe, I looked at my constellation and saw that I am unfit to beget a son.’ Hashem said to him, ‘Abandon your astrological speculation. Israel is not under the influence of the constellations.’” (Shabbos 156a)

In response to their devotion to Him, Hashem changed their identities when He changed their names. “Hashem said, “Avram will not beget children, but Avraham will. Sarai will not give birth, but Sarah will.” (Beraishis Rabbah 44:10)

The theme is echoed in this week’s emotional Haftara. “Elisha came into the house and behold, the lad was dead, laid out on his bed. He entered and shut the door behind them both and prayed to Hashem. Then he went up and lay upon the lad, and placed his mouth upon his mouth, his eyes upon his eyes, his palms upon his palms and prostrated himself upon him and he warmed the flesh of the lad. He withdrew and walked about the house, once this way and once that way, then he went up and prostrated himself upon him; the lad sneezed seven times and … opened his eyes.” (Melachim II 4:32ff; Haftaras Vayeira)

Our elevation over nature is incorporated into the structure of the Mishkan and Bais Hamikdosh. 

The possuk says, “Carve for yourself two stone tablets like the first ones … and place them in the aron.” (Dvarim 10:1-2)Chazal tell us: “Rav Yosef taught a Baraisa: This teaches us that [both] the [second] luchos and the broken pieces of the [first] luchos are placed into the aron.” (Menachos 99a)

The aron is the center of the world, the place where we turn when we want to communicate with Hashem. Why did the aroncontain the broken pieces of the first luchos? Is it not an embarrassment that the luchos had to be broken? This only occurred because we sinned with the eigel, in itself a terrible blot on the Children of Israel. Would it not have been better to forget this? How can the symbol of our degradation be placed in holiest spot on the earth?

My friends, I believe this is exactly the point. The secret of our existence is that we can rise from sin and frailty. “Cleanse me from unperceived faults.  Also from intentional sins restrain Your servant. Let them not rule me!” (Tehillim 19) Avraham and Sarah became young again. Their children are forever striving to overcome physical and spiritual limitations.

The other nations are on a treadmill that is bound by birth and death, but our path is eternal. “Hashem is close to the brokenhearted and those crushed in spirit He saves. Many are the mishaps of the righteous but from them all Hashem rescues him.” (Tehillim 34) There is no such thing as death for those who cling to Hashem, and thus we thank Him in every Shemoneh Esreh.  Techias hamaisim is not simply a future event. It occurs every second of our lives! Every time that we overcome our taiva … our desires, our anger, our tiredness, our bodily and spiritual limitations, every time we fight to come closer to the Master of the Universe, it is techias hamaisim. 

The most difficult tefillah of my day is Krias Shema al Hammitah. I am so tired! I want to go to sleep! Sleep is a tremendous test! The Yetzer Hara wants us to sleep! Forever!

But No! “Wake up! Wake up! For your light has come. Rise up and shine! Awaken! Awaken! Utter a song! The glory of G-d is revealed on you!” (Lecha Dodi) This we learn from Avraham Avinu and Sarah Imeinu. 

Sunset over Beit El, Israel (Photo by Rebbetzin Sarah Winer)

*          *          *          *

Roy Neuberger, author and public speaker, can be reached at roy@2020vision.co.il.

© Copyright 2018 by Roy S. Neuberger