blogs/rabbi-huberman

Less than two hours ago, I made an important decision: I signed the documents to officially apply for American citizenship.

When I shared this news with one of our congregants, I received an unexpected response: “Are you crazy?

"The country has never been so divided. Who knows what will happen in the days ahead? Why now?”

As I sit back and reflect each day regarding the state of our union — as I observe the behavior and stasis which deeply concern me on all sides of the political spectrum — I conclude that it is better to take a chance on the future, than to remain static in the present.

And, perhaps there is no Torah section more appropriate to today’s event than the one we read this week — the parashah that helped inspire my original decision, 15 years ago, to move to the United States and become a rabbi. 

This week’s parashah, titled Lech Lecha, “go forth,” begins with an official introduction to Abram — later to become Abraham.

The reading begins with God telling Abram, to “go forth from your native land and from your father’s house to the land that I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1)

It was in 2004 that my wife, after attending a session at a Jewish conference in Vancouver on the topic of “second career rabbis” announced that we were going to leave our “home and native land” to pursue a rabbinical journey.

I’ve told this story many times, yet what continues to resonate through me, is Abraham’s example that Judaism involves moving forward as opposed to standing pat.

At the time, Abraham had it all: a prosperous business, a successful marriage to a compassionate and attractive wife. He was recognized a diplomat.

Yet, Abraham chose to move from his home in Haran — located in today’s southern Turkey — to what would later become Israel.

God promised him success, children and status as the father of great nations. But, as my mentor, the late Rabbi Joseph Ehrenkranz observed, Abraham decided to go only after God promised to make his life a blessing.

Over time, our Sages have tried to understand the spiritual process that made Abraham break with his father’s belief system. 

Tradition tells us that his father, Terach, operated an idol store. But, Abraham did not believe in worshipping the static material world — represented by symbols of wood and stone. He saw the world as incomplete — perpetually in motion, launched by a transcendent God.

One of our great Sages, the Maharal, (1520-1609) considered the question of how Abraham reached this conclusion. The Talmud talks about an encounter where Abraham challenged his father — destroying most of Terach’s inventory.

But the Maharal takes things a step further, noting that the lesson of Abraham is not based on how he came to believe in a spiritual God, but rather the tests he endured to maintain that vision.

Our Sages remind us that Abraham persevered through 10 major life tests. After each challenge, Abraham could have packed it in, but, instead, he hung on to his faith and "went forth."

Like Abraham, we, as Jews, believe that life involves an upward climb. Each of us will, or has, endured at least 10 major challenges. We learn through each challenge, in the process elevating and perfecting our souls.

When I was a toddler, my father wrote a poem, which reads, “My son, you will rise and you will fall, but you must rise, my son.”

In many ways, Abraham’s journey from Haran to Canaan, is the story of each of us.

How many times have we mustered the courage to make a change — in our careers, in our relationships, in our perceptions of others, in how we view life every day? We initially stumble, but ultimately, we rise.

This week, Abraham teaches us that if we are not constantly in motion, climbing, growing and advancing, we run the risk of living a stagnant life.

So, as we approach next week’s national day of choice, I choose to climb. I am neither left nor right. I do not worship the idols of ideology. 

Rather, I remain committed to the journey, to place my lot with this evolving nation based, at its inception, on faith, honesty, freedom and a better future for all.

My faith will be tested. But aren’t we all like Abraham? But through our worries, our challenges and our obstacles, we build a better world, and in the process, improve ourselves.

I believe in Abraham’s vision.

It is important to leave our comfort zones each day to journey forth — with open hearts and a discerning mind. The trick is never to lose our faith or let cynicism overcome us.

In advance of this week’s mandate, let us all remember to be kind and respectful to all — for we live in a democracy — imperfect perhaps, but preferable to the alternative.

I believe in this country and its future, as I did growing up in another land. I still have faith in its journey. 

It is why earlier today, I decided to go forth and embrace that journey, as I declare: “I am in.”

Shabbat shalom, v’kol tuv,

Rabbi Irwin Huberman