A Taste of Torah in honor of Shabbat
from Rabbi Avi Weiss

Parshat Lekh Lekha
October 30-31, 1998.  11 Heshvan 5759

In Memory of Simon Reich

Terah, Avraham's (Abraham) father is often viewed as an evil man, nothing more than an idol worshipper.  A review of the text indicates otherwise.

First of all, Terah's son, Haran, dies during Terah's lifetime.  The Torah's description of his demise--"in the face of his father Terah"--expresses Terah's deep pain. (Genesis 11:28)  This is certainly understandable.  After all, the way of the world is that children sit shiva for parents, not the
reverse.

Second of all, Terah acts wuth great responsibility toward his family.

Rather than leaving Haran's child Lot to be raised by others, Terah takes him in. A noble deed, especially when considering the pain Terah felt upon losing his child.  Notwithstanding this suffering, Terah has the inner strength to raise his grandchild as his own. (Genesis 11:31)

Third of all,  Terah seems to understand the importance of the land of Israel. Years before Avraham is commanded by God to go to the Holy Land, Terah decides on his own to do so.  He instinctively recognizes the centrality of Israel. (Genesis 11:31)

Finally, Terah must have been a man of considerable spiritual energy. Consider his three children:  Avraham, of course, would become the firstpatriarch.  Nahor's granddaughter was Rebecca who would become the second matriarch.  And Haran's son Lot, fathers Moav from whom Ruth and King David were born, and from whom the Messiah will one day emerge.

Of course, Terah was no Avraham.   God does not speak to him.  He sets out to the land of Israel but never arrives.  Still, the Torah, as it begins the narrative about Avraham and Sarah, seems to underscore the contribution that Terah makes to the development of the people of Israel.

Unfortunately, it is too often the case that successful children forget the roles their parents played in shaping their personalities and careers.  It shouldn't be this way.  Children should always be aware of the seeds planted by their parents and grandparents.

Recently I saw this awareness as my brothers-in-law, Drs. Walter and Raymond Reich paid tribute to their father, Simon upon his death.  Simon owned a grocery store.  He never achieved the prestige of his sons.  Yet it was only
because of the pennies he laboriously earned, and the sense of Torah ethics he instilled that Walter and Raymond grew to become acclaimed in their respective fields.  Simon's contribution was always powerfully remembered.

Thus, it is important that we appreciate Terah, the father of the father of the Jewish people.  He was the foundation from which the patriarchs and matriarchs emerged.   Hence his name, Terah--from the word ruach, spirit. Indeed, it was from Terah, whose name begins with the letter tuf, which
denotes future, that Am Yisrael would be born.

SHABBAT SHALOM

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Rabbi Avi Weiss, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale
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