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Greetings!
Have you ever stood by a belief you knew was right, even when those around you disagreed? It takes courage to go against the crowd, especially when you feel alone.
This week’s Parsha introduces us to Avraham, the first Jew. The Torah calls him Avram Ha’Ivri, meaning “Avraham the Hebrew.” The title “Ivri” comes from “eiver,” meaning “the other side.” The Midrash explains that the entire world stood on one side, while Avraham stood on the other. He challenged the beliefs of his society and taught that life has a higher purpose and that we have a responsibility to bring goodness into the world.
Avraham could have given up. Instead, he remained committed to his beliefs, even when they made him an outsider. His courage reminds us that one person with strong convictions can change the world.
For Jews, this lesson continues to be relevant today. We all want to belong and feel accepted. Yet Jewish history reminds us that we cannot always count on others to stand with us. That can be discouraging, but it also clarifies what matters most.
Our response should never be to hide who we are. Instead, we should stand together, take pride in our Jewish identity, and live the values Avraham taught.
Avraham began with one person willing to make a difference. Four thousand years later, his example continues to inspire us to bring more light into the world, one good deed at a time.
Wishing you and your family a Good Shabbos!
Rabbi Leibel and Chana Fine
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