blogs/rabbi-huberman

One of Judaism’s greatest rabbis, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907-1972), wrote in his later years:

“When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.”

It’s an amazing insight from a rabbi who on March 21, 1965 marched in Selma with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  He debated with great intellectuals, and engaged with clever activists.

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel marching with other civil rights leaders from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, on March 21, 1965. From far left: John Lewis, an unidentified nun, Ralph Abernathy, Martin Luther King, Jr., Ralph Bunche, Abraham Joshua Heschel, Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth.

But in the end, the rare quality of kindness moved him the most.

Throughout our history, Jews have never claimed to be the strongest. We have rarely pounded our chests to declare, “we are mightier than others.”

Rather, the power of kindness — supported by the strength of words — has sustained us.

The great Israeli writer and intellectual, Amos Oz (1939-2018), noted in his book, Jews and Words:

"For thousands of years, we Jews had nothing but books. We had no lands, we had no holy sites, we had no magnificent architecture, we had no heroes.

“We had books, we had texts, and those texts were always discussed around the family table.

“They became part of the family life, and they traveled from one generation to the next — not unchanged, not unchallenged, but reinterpreted in each generation and reread by each generation.”

And, the prime vehicle promoting that vision has been Torah. For while prayer and ritual have been vital in ensuring our continuity, we have survived through kindness, actualized by deeds, and exemplified through the words of Torah.

This week’s Torah portion is the second recorded in Judaism’s history. It begins with the death of Sarah, a person of profound kindness. In last week’s Torah portion, Sarah, at age 90, races to provide food and drink for three visiting strangers.

Our tradition tells us she was an exceptional wife and mother. Therefore, it is no accident that upon her death, her grieving husband, Abraham, ponders how to keep the Jewish revolution alive.

He could have amassed an army and conquered land. He could have extended his business empire across the Middle East. 

Rather, he occupies himself with finding a wife for his son, Isaac. He enlists his senior servant, Eliezer, to travel back to Abraham and Sarah’s hometown, and instructs Eliezer to find someone who is kind.

Abraham instructs Eliezer to look for someone who not only will meet the basic requirements of kindness, but will do so with a full heart.

Upon Eliezer’s arrival in Haran, there are many people who surround the city’s main well. Perhaps one or two may have offered him a drink.

But Eliezer is looking for someone who exceeds basic courtesy.

Says Eliezer: "Let the maiden who hears me say — please lower your jar so that I may drink and replies — drink and I will also water your camels — let her be the one whom You have decreed for your servant Isaac." (Genesis 24:14).

Rebekah steps forward.

I picture Rebekah breaking off the conversation she is having, running to Eliezer with these words quoted in the Torah, "Drink, my Lord....and I will also draw for your camels until they finish drinking." (Genesis 24:18, 19).

Not only does Rebekah offer Eliezer water, but she also quenches the thirst of his entire caravan. I read this week that a thirsty camel can drink up to 135 liters of water in 13 minutes. Based on 10 camels, that’s a substantial amount of kindness.

There are many today who claim that showing kindness or compassion amounts to a public display of weakness or vulnerability.

But this was not Rebekah. For Rebekah is no pushover. She is asked by her family whether she wishes to remain at home or accompany Eliezer back to Abraham’s camp.

She considers and decides to seize life. She leaves the safety and security of her home and chooses an uncertain future — one with potential.

As Rebekah arrives at Abraham’s camp, she and Isaac are immediately drawn to each other. It is love at first sight, and that subsequently seals Judaism’s future, assuring that Abrahamic line moves to a second generation. 

Rebekah takes up residence in Sarah’s vacant tent. Could the Torah be any clearer?

Often within human history, a high value has been placed on machismo. We war. We bully. We use words to wound. So many of the sins we admit to during Yom Kippur consist of actions that belittle others.

But, as the Torah recounts this week, the pursuit and practice of kindness is not only a core value within Judaism, it is also a sign of strength. For those who invest kindness in others, develop strength, confidence and leadership in themselves.

History cherishes leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Theresa, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rabbi Heschel.

For they teach us that while beating our chests may lead to short term victory, those who model kindness ultimately sustain the world.

As we discussed a few weeks ago, the Talmud teaches that “the Torah begins with kindness and ends with kindness.” By extension, everything in between is kindness.

Each of us possesses the ability to be that kindness. We learn it through tradition. We model it for our children and grandchildren through both our words and deeds.

There is really nothing clever about it. For we, as Jews, are here for the long run.

As Rabbi Heschel inspires us to consider, the world shall be healed through kindness.

Indeed, kindness is not a sign of weakness. Rather, it is one of the most strongest human traits of all.

Shabbat Shalom, v’kol tuv.

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

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