Parashat Khayei Sarah tells the story of the deaths of both Sarah and Abraham.  In the end, Abraham’s sons, Isaac and Ishmael, bury him together. We do not know whether there had been contact or complete estrangement between the 2 brothers since the time that Hagar and Ishmael were expelled into the desert.  Different midrashim present different views.  It is my impression, however, that it was only Abraham’s death that brought the brothers to reconciliation.

This morning I heard the impassioned voices of residents of Sderot, after the murder of innocents by Kassam rockets and the refusal of the government to fortify the schools in the area.  My heart is with them.  At the same time, I wonder:  Are those same people who are expressing their bitter and justified cry  able to think about or identify with the suffering of the residents of the Gaza Strip?  Are the people of Gaza capable of thinking about or understanding or identifying with the suffering of the residents of Sderot?  Clearly, the killing and suffering is greater in Gaza.  But just as Isaac and Ishmael finally discovered that what they had in common was greater than what divided them, perhaps the residents of Gaza and Sderot can come to understand that their common interest in living in peace and quiet is more important than the disputes that divide them.  Our biblical story is tragic because the two sides were reconciled only after the death of someone who was dear to both of them.  It remains to be seen whether even death can make both sides aware of their common interests today.

On 6/11/06 one of our empowerment groups in the Hadera area organized a protest program against the Wisconsin Plan with the participation of mayors and members of municipal councils from cities and towns included in the Wisconsin Plan in the Hadera region.  Both the organizers and the audience included Jews and Arabs.  The people who have been forced to participate in the Wisconsin Plan against their will understand that their common interest is greater than what divides them.

We can only pray that all human beings come to understand that peace and being able to support one’s family with dignity are needs common to all humanity, needs that are greater than the differences between them.

Recent Articles by Rabbi Arik W. Ascherman

• Balaq: Human Rights and adhering to a democratic process - July 10th, 2008
• Shavuot: Recognize and do what is right - June 6th, 2008
• Behuqqotay: Reward and Punishment - May 19th, 2008
• Yom HaAtzmaut: What gives me the Strength to Celebrate - May 7th, 2008
• Arik Ascherman: Rabbi-activist for the rights of Israelis, Palestinians, and foreign workers in Israel - June 4th, 2007
• The work that we do is not fun: Tikkun Olam and Human Rights - May 4th, 2007
• Passover, The Omer and Human Rights - April 5th, 2007
• Purim: Acts of justice bring us greater honor than the clothes of kings - March 1st, 2007
• Teruma: Building a human tabernacle united through the inner sanctuary that dwells with each of us - February 23rd, 2007
• Fakhri El-Diab Arrested - February 15th, 2007
• Beshallah: Building a society in which all can sing with joy - February 2nd, 2007
• Darkness has struck again - December 11th, 2006
• Hayye Sara: Needs common to all humanity - November 17th, 2006
• Lekh-Lekha: Living up to the moral heritage that Avraham and Sarah have bequeathed us - November 4th, 2006
• Sukkoth: Symbolic versus authentic homelessness - October 5th, 2006
• Selichot Ceremony - September 29th, 2006
• Tisha Bav: Justice, Law and Righteousness - July 28th, 2006
• Shabbat Hazon: What we must do to improve our situation - July 28th, 2006
• Devarim: Act with tzedakah and mishpat in all that we do - July 28th, 2006
• Tisha BAv: Human Rights and Self Criticism - July 21st, 2006
• Mase: Making an enemy into a Friend - July 21st, 2006
• Mattot: Human Rights and Collateral Damage - July 21st, 2006
• Why I Will Demonstrate - June 29th, 2006
• RHR Wins Court Victory: High Court Orders Security Forces to Protect Palestinian Farmers - June 26th, 2006
• Qorah: Clarity in arguments in defense of Human Rights - June 23rd, 2006
• Nizzavim: For what are we willing to stand up, and how? - May 26th, 2006
• Shavuot: A world based on righteousness, justice, goodness, mercy and faithfulness. - May 26th, 2006
• Bemidbar: Reaching out to the ones we would normally turn away - May 26th, 2006
• Behar: A vision of a just and caring society - May 19th, 2006
• Behuqqotay: Respect the moral order - May 19th, 2006
• Rabbi Arik W. Ascherman - May 12th, 2006
• Emor: Unity and equality between Jews and non-Jews in front of the law - May 12th, 2006
• Shemini: Partners with God - April 21st, 2006
• Va'era: Hear each other’s narratives - January 26th, 2006
• Miqqez: It is not too late to renew and fulfill the promises of old - December 30th, 2005
• Vayyeze: The Image of God in all - December 8th, 2005
• Noah: Knowing how to protest and to effect change - November 4th, 2005
• Sukkoth: Peace, justice, involvement and caring for all people - October 10th, 2005
• Ki-Tavo: Responsiblity to fulfill our Human Rights obligations - September 23rd, 2005
• Ki-Teze: We must stand in the breach and make sure that nobody is left behind - September 14th, 2005
• Shofetim: Pursue justice through mitzvot of commission - September 8th, 2005
• Devarim: You shall not be partial in judgement - August 12th, 2005
• Shabbat Hazon: Misplaced Priorities in Society - August 12th, 2005
• Mas'e: Expulsion, Democracy and Civil Disobedience - August 4th, 2005
• Mattot: Find the formulas allowing all of us to have our basic Human Rights and needs met. - July 28th, 2005
• Balaq: We cannot negotiate for peace on the one hand and violate Human Rights on the other - July 14th, 2005
• Shemini: Quench this strange fire and return to the fire commanded by God - April 1st, 2005
• Preventing Home Demolitions - March 22nd, 2005
• Pequde: Maintaining our belief in the goodness of people. - March 11th, 2005
• There Is A Kippah In The Rubble - April 15th, 2003

Categories: Bereshit / Genesis, Hayye Sara
Tags: Bo, conciliation, human rights, palestinians, peace, quiet, reconciliation, rest, settlers