The Mission Statement of Judaism

This week we read of the birth of the Jewish nation. Our Sage describe the beginning of Abraham’s journey with the following cryptic parable:

"A man was once traveling from place to place when he suddenly saw a palace in flames. He wondered: "Is it possible that the palace has no owner?" At which point the owner of the palace looked out and said, "I am the owner of the palace."

In a similar vein, Abraham - a sensitive human being - gazed at a brilliantly structured universe. He saw a splendid piece of art and was overwhelmed by the grandeur of a sunset and by the miracle of childbirth. He marveled at the roaring ocean waves and at the silent, steady beat of the human heart. "The world is indeed a palace", exclaimed Abraham.

But the palace is in flames. The world is full of bloodshed, injustice and strife. Thugs, abusers, rapists, kidnappers and killers are continuously demolishing the palace, turning our world into an ugly tragic battlefield of untold pain and horror.

What happened to the owner of the palace? Abraham cried. "Why does G‑d allow man to destroy His world? Why does He permit such a beautiful palace to go up in flames? Could G‑d have made a world only to abandon it? Would anyone build a palace and then desert it?"

And what is G‑d’s response? "The owner of the palace looked out and said: 'I am the owner of the palace.'"

G‑d looked out and said to Abraham: 'I am the ruler, the Sovereign of the universe.'"

What is the meaning of G‑d's response?

Interestingly. the owner of the palace does not make an attempt to get out of the burning building or to extinguish the flames. He is merely stating that He is the owner of the palace that is going up in smoke. It is as if, instead of racing out, the owner were calling for help.

And so it is: G‑d made the palace. Man set it on fire. And only man can put out the flames.

When Abraham asks G‑d, "Where are you?" G‑d replied, "I am here, where are you?"

Man asks G‑d, "Why did You abandon the world?" G‑d asks man, "Why did you abandon Me?"

And thus began the revolution of Judaism - our courageous venture to extinguish the flames of immorality and bloodshed and restore the world to the harmonious and sacred palace it was intended to be.

Abraham’s began his journey 3750 years ago. And he had the faith in us that we – his descendants – would continue to perpetuate and ultimately complete this mission.

Let’s do one more mitzvah and reveal to one and all that this is G‑d’s palace.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Raleigh Resnick