Parshas Chayei Sarah
Children of Abraham
After the death of Sarah, Avraham remarries to a woman named Keturah.
Rashi, following Midrash, states that she was Hagar, the woman whom he had
married earlier at the behest of Sarah herself and who became the mother
of Yishmael. The Torah records for us that Avraham fathered further
children with Ketura and that these children left the house of Avraham to
found families and clans of their own in the Middle East. There is
discussion in halacha regarding these bnei Ketura and their status vis a
vis the Jewish people and Avrahams mission in the world. The bnei Ketura
adopted many of Avrahams ways including hospitality to strangers and
circumcision of males. However, the Torah makes it very clear that in no
way are they the true heirs of Avraham in spiritual terms. It is Yitzchak
and Yitzchak alone who inherits the blessings of Avraham and the
responsibilities of the covenant entered into between Avraham and God, so
to speak. Even in his lifetime, Avraham sends the bnei Ketura away from
him and from Yitzchak. The bnei Ketura melt into the general milieu of the
different tribes that populated the Middle East of that time. They never
challenge Yitzchak nor assert any claim to the heritage of their father
Avraham. It is almost as if they are satisfied at being ignored in the
whole millennia-long struggle, regarding the advancement of Avrahams ideas
and ways against idolatry and cruelty. Thereby they are assigned to the
very anonymity that they seemingly craved.
I think that the lesson here is an obvious historical one. Many are
delighted to claim great pedigree for themselves. But since in Jewish life
pedigree comes with great responsibilities, with a binding covenant whose
terms are inescapable and immutable, people are willing to renounce their
pedigree rather than bear its responsibilities and obligations. The
unwillingness or inability of the bnei Ketura to respond to the challenge
of being the descendants of Avraham is what brings them to even lose that
distinction of their illustrious pedigree. Throughout the Bible, the
Jewish people are constantly reminded that they are the descendants of
Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov. This is not a matter of pride and hubris
look how great my family is but rather a call to spiritual arms look at
the great mission and responsibility that has been thrust upon us
precisely because of who our ancestors were. This is what the rabbis meant
when they stated that a Jew must always ask ones self: When will my
actions be of the same caliber of holiness and spirit as those of my
forbearers? Pride in ancestry is necessary and commendable. But if it only
remains a matter of pride without advancing the covenant, commitments and
goals of those who went before us, then that pride of ancestry is almost
worthless. It leads only to the fate of the bnei Ketura, assimilation,
anonymity and eventually the disappearance of the knowledge of ones own
ancestry itself. All of Jewish history testifies to this truism of Jewish
life, both in individual and communal terms.
Shabat shalom.
Rabbi Berel Wein
Text Copyright © 2005 by Rabbi Berel Wein and Torah.org
Visit www.rabbiwein.com for a complete selection of Rabbi Wein's books and tapes.
