Hi,

Hope you’re having a great day1

The city of Sodom.

A name that goes down in infamy.

The people had become morally corrupt.

And G-d tells Abraham that He will destroy them. (Genesis; 18:17)

… Abraham shows his true greatness.

How does he respond to the news?

To the destruction of a society that goes against everything he stands for?

He pleads on their behalf.

And he starts bargaining with G-d!

“Maybe there are fifty righteous people in the city.  How about forty?

Maybe thirty.  Or twenty.  Ten?”

There weren’t even ten!

And Abraham was not successful.

But he succeeded in another way.

… When we think about Abraham, what comes to mind?

“A man of faith!”

He taught the world about monotheism.  Belief in one G-d.

But he taught us much more.

Because monotheism isn’t only about G-d.

It’s about man.

That there is one G-d that created every human being.

And we have to care about every one of them.

… And it’s not only about faith in G-d.

Abraham had faith in man!

As bad as Sodom was?

“Ten good men could turn around the whole city!”

… Please allow a personal note.

Today is the anniversary of my father’s passing away.  His “Yartzeit.”

Like Abraham, my father did not come from an observant background.

And what happened?

He met my Mom, who did!

She made a few conditions.

A Kosher home.  Shabbat.  And Jewish day school for the kids.

Not where most American kids were headed in 1948!

But my Dad knew a good deal when he saw one!

… He was determined to give his kids the Jewish education that he never had.

The results?

Three Rabbis!

… But he taught us so much.

He taught us by insisting that we teach him. 

By challenging us to make Torah relevant to Jews of all backgrounds.

… And he taught us by example.

One of my earliest memories is driving in the car with my Dad.

At every intersection, he would stop and wave the people on.  With a smile!

I try to follow his example every day. 

Especially when I’m in a rush.  And don’t really “have the time!”

I stop and wave people on.

Knowing that I may be a few minutes late, but remembering my Dad.

And being the kind of person that would make him proud!

… Sorry for the length of today’s “Minute And A Half”!

But if you enjoy the Minute A Day?

Thank my Dad, who always said, “Keep it short and to the point!”

 All the best,