What does the day of a Tzaddik (a righteous person) look like? Based on this Shabbat's Parshat Vayera, here’s a sample timeline of Abraham and Sarah’s day:
6:00AM: Rise early. Argue with G-d about increasing divine mercy in the world and decreasing the effects of strict justice.
8:00AM: Open the flaps of the tent in all four directions and keep an eye out on the crossroads between empires where you live for people in distress including refugees, beggars and travelers down on their luck. Run out if you see one and insist that they stop by your inn for refreshment, all gratis of course.
9:00AM: Dig some wells, supervise the flocks, attend the sick, prepare food and engage in other pastoral labors.
Noon: Confront authority and tell truth to power, regardless of how it impacts you.
1:00PM: Make lunch and personally serve it to your invited guests.
4:00PM: Spend time in prayer naming people individually for healing, finding true love, fertility and prosperity. Commune with the Divine through prayer, meditation, study and reflection.
6 PM: Spend family time with your nearest and dearest. Give out blessings to everyone in your household after a modest dinner. Turn in early.
Midnight: Rise to watch the stars, analyze the events of the past day and predict what lies ahead for the world. Sing songs of praise and meditate on love and compassion. Abraham and Sarah’s Mantra was "Olam Chesed Yibaneh", the world will only be built through love.
Halacha of the Week: Tzedaka
Abraham and Sarah are the embodiment of love, giving and generosity. We, as their children, must also train and refine ourselves in these virtues.
In Jewish terms, is it better to frequently give Tzedaka, even in small amounts, or to save it up and make a larger, bi-annual donation? It is impossible to over-emphasize the importance of Tzedaka in Judaism. While the official mitzvah position is that one is obligated to “tithe”, give ten percent of one’s income to Tzedaka (although it’s unclear if this is a Torah or rabbinic obligation, or even if it’s “net” or “gross” income), giving frequently in smaller amounts is preferred over one large yearly donation, although that’s important too.
Either way, Tzedaka is a daily spiritual practice, even if it’s putting a few coins in a “pushke” (tzedaka can). It refines the soul, elevates the spirit and trains the mind in generosity and kindness. So the correct answer in Torah terms is “all of the above”. In fact, Tzedaka is one of those Mitzvot that you don’t say a bracha (blessing) over. Because the mitzvah is so immediate and urgent, saying a bracha would be considered delaying something that may save a life!
This Week in Jewish History
Thirty years ago this week, Israel’s visionary Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin was assassinated following a rally for peace in Kings’ Square in Tel Aviv. The square has been renamed Rabin Square and to this day is adorned with letters, some which are tear-stained, posters and signs. Rabin, the daring activist for peace with the Palestinians, who had also led Israel’s armed forces in war, fought for peace with the same fervor that he defended Israel’s existence. We have never recovered from his loss. His murder at the hands of a Jewish extremist is an urgent lesson in Jewish solidarity, love, compromise and tolerance. His fighting spirit, not only for war when necessary, but also for peace and the willingness to engage with enemies and to strive to transform them into friends, is truly the highest form of victory and security. May his memory and legacy be for a blessing.
