• Home
  • About Us
    • About CTN
    • Testimonials
    • Photo Albums
    • Videos
  • Calendar
  • Programs
    • Classes and Events
    • Women’s Israel Mission
    • Jewish Marriage
    • Jewish Family Experience
  • Weekly Wisdom
    • Shabbat Fax
    • Audio Classes
    • CTN Torah Minute
  • Ask the Rabbi
  • CTN Young Professionals
  • Support Us
  • Contact

CTN TORAH MINUTE


Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 06 May 2012 / 0 Comment



Hi,

There’s one more story about Lot.

And unfortunately, it’s on my mind today.

We had seen that Lot was hosting two guests.

The “people of Sodom” surrounded his home in order to sexually assault them.

Lot’s response?

Shocking!

He went out and pleaded with them.  (Genesis; 4-8)

“I beg you… do not act wickedly.

…I have two daughters… do to them as you please… but to these men do nothing.

Because they have come under my roof”!

… It’ seems impossible to comprehend Lot.

What man wouldn’t fight to the death to protect his daughters?

 And Lot hands them over to protect his guests?

 ‘Because they have come under my roof”!

…I think about this story often.

And unfortunately, I thought of it today.

We’ve mentioned that Lot is a tragic figure.

Abraham’s nephew who went his own way.  And moves to Sodom.

… We’ve discussed one of Abraham’s fundamental values.

Hospitality.  Taking care of guests.

How it’s such a spiritual thing to do.

And Lot inherited this value from Abraham.

But he perverted it.

 Abraham’s value is about the sanctity of every human being.

How every human being is created in the Image of G-d.

But Lot was affected by living in Sodom.

And he lost sight of the Divine Image.

A guest became something “sacred”.  Never mind why!

And he would sacrifice his own daughters to protect his guests!

 …Unfortunately, today’s news reminded me of Lot!

The Arabs share our value of  “hospitality.”

They trace it back to Abraham as well.

Because they come from Ishmael, Abraham’s other son.

They’re known for treating guests like royalty.

… But there’s a problem.  A very big problem.

There are too many people that have perverted Abraham’s value.

Who can treat a guest like a king and then go out and blow up a bus.

Can dance in celebration when human beings are blown apart.

Or at the very least, not protest against someone who does!

… And that’s impossible if we honor guests for the reason Abraham taught us.

Because every human being is sacred!

 … We need to affirm what Abraham taught us.

And go out of our way to show respect for every human being!

 All the best,

Leave a Reply

  Cancel Reply


  • CTN Torah Minute Home

    Home
  • Post Categories

  • Archives

    • June 2015
    • May 2015
    • April 2015
    • March 2015
    • February 2015
    • January 2015
    • November 2013
    • September 2013
    • August 2013
    • November 2012
    • September 2012
    • August 2012
    • July 2012
    • June 2012
    • May 2012



© 2013 Chicago Torah Network | All Rights Reserved
The CTN Center • 2832 West Touhy Avenue • Chicago, IL 60645 | 773.761.0400