You’ve trained all your life for this moment.
Perhaps you are an EMT and have the opportunity to save a life.
Perhaps you are a parent and your child is in a moment of crisis.
Perhaps you are a soldier and your regiment is suddenly hit with enemy fire.
There is no time to think, only for action. In fact, if you actually spent the time contemplating the best course of action, you may fail. You might miss the opportunity. All you can do is rely on your past experience and schooling – and seize the moment.
It’s at that moment that you are reduced to the core instincts that years of training have instilled within you.
***
Avraham, the first Jew, is the main character in this week’s parsha, Vayeira. Three important episodes give us an intimate view of his persona.
First, while recovering from circumcision at age 99, he rushes to greet and host strangers.
Second, when G-d tells him about the impending destruction of Sodom, he petitions Hashem for mercy.
Third, when G-d commands him to sacrifice his son, he packs his bags and heads out obediently.
Three episodes, but one person. It seems strange that the same person who displays tremendous kindness to guests that he’s never met will also be the person who argues with G-d and will also agree to G-d’s command to take his own son’s life. Kindness, combativeness and blind faith don’t seem like they all stem from the same personality. So, who is Avraham?
***
Perhaps a closer look at the second event can help us understand the nature of our Patriarch Avraham. G-d decides to share with Avraham that He is about to wipe out a metropolis. Avraham responds that it would be unfair for the Judge of the entire earth to act unjustly. But, Avraham doesn’t stop there. He continues, stating, “Behold now I have commenced to speak to G-d, although I am dust and ashes.”
Taken simply, Avraham is stating his inadequacy in approaching G-d, a polite opening. But, if he really wanted to be polite, he could simply ask G-d why He was doing this?
Instead, Avraham embarks on a full-throttled attack on Hashem’s plans, and simply slips in the remark that he is unworthy. So, what does Avraham mean with this statement?
***
Avraham’s defense of the wicked people of Sodom –whose behavior he incessantly campaigns against - is anchored in his lack of ego. His craving to help others – even while he is in pain – stems from his putting others before himself. His submission to Hashem – I the face of forfeiting everything he has worked for, both physically and spiritually – is a salute to his self-nullification.
Yes, Avraham was the epitome of kindness. Yes, Avraham knew how to stand up to injustice. Yes, Avraham was humbly accepting of G-d’s will. But, the real Avraham was simply someone who had labored so thoroughly to rid himself of any vestige of arrogance.
When confronted with urgent challenges, his unbridled essence surged forward.
***
All of us will face challenges in life. We may not have the luxury to call our rabbi, mother or anyone else when its decision time. It’s the core values that we possess, the investment into our souls that we have made and the hours of spiritual training we have undertaken that will dictate our response.
You may not be able to control when your moment arrives. But you can control how well-prepared you will be.