When we study the lives of our Avot (Patriarchs) and Imahot (Matriarchs) we are not just taking lessons from their lives. We are really learning who we are. Here’s a beautiful way to illustrate this.

This week’s parsha begins with the mitzvah of Shemita. The mitzvah mandates that every seven years the land of Israel lay fallow. This is clearly a tremendous challenge for those in need of agricultural products for eating and making a livelihood. Much has been done in recent years to ease the challenge of doing this. But for many years it was very difficult to keep and many farmers in Israel were not able to withstand the challenge they faced. 

In 1950, an agricultural settlement called Moshav Komemiyut was founded. Rosh Hashana of 1951 ushered in a Shemitah year and under the leadership of Rabbi Binyomin Mendelson, Komemiyut was one of the few settlements that observed the laws of Shemitah. The wondrous story of their ability to observe Shemita and still flourish became an inspiration for farmers throughout Israel to become Shemitah observant.

Rabbi Menachem Mendelson who succeeded his father told the following story. Shortly before Rosh Hashana of 1993, a little girl came home from school and told her father, “Abba, we learned how next year following Rosh Hashanah Shemitah will begin and the land may not be worked. You will not be able to work your vineyard and any grapes that grow you must declare ownerless.”

“My child,” he replied. “What’s the matter with you. I can’t stop working the vineyard. How will we eat if I don’t sell the grapes? If I don’t tend to the vines they’ll never be the same.”

The little girl became sad and remained silent for a while. Then, a thought came to her.

“Abba,” she said. “Have you heard of Avrohom Avinu (our forefather Abraham)?”

“Yes, I have.”

“Do you know that Avraham had a precious son, Yitzchok? And that Hashem told Avrohom to offer Yitzchak as a sacrifice? And do you know that Avrohom was ready to do so without hesitation in order to fulfill Hashem’s will?”

“I do remember studying that as a child.”

“Abba. If Avrohom our father was willing to give up his precious son for Hashem’s sake, can’t we give up our vineyard for one year?”

Visibly moved, her father said, “If that’s the way you put it, my child, I will do as you say.”

Sweet. But beyond that I think there is a reasonable response to this little girl’s argument (not that it would help when your sweet little girl touches your heart like that). Don’t compare me to Avrohom Avinu! Someone like Avrohom who was ready to give up his only beloved son surely can give up his field for a year. But I’m not Avrohom, and who says I have it within me even to give up a vineyard!

But the little girl was right. If Avrohom could do it, then we can do it too! That’s why he is referred to as Avrohom Aveinu, our father. Just as a parent creates the physical genome of a child, Avrohom created the spiritual genome of the Jewish people. The power of self-sacrifice is something we have inherited from Avrohom. So, yes, if he could give up his son can’t we give up our vineyard for just a year?

It is imperative that we recognize our strengths so that we will utilize them. Hashem asks us throughout our lives to sacrifice from ourselves to serve Him whether it be to perform a mitzvah under difficult circumstances, resist the temptation to do something that is wrong, help someone in need, or remain patient in spite of someone else’s misbehavior towards us. Knowing that self-sacrifice is part of who we are because Avrohom inculcated this power into us through the way he led his life, should inspire and empower us to follow in his footsteps.

So indeed, when we study the lives of our Avot and Imahot we are learning about ourselves.

Sometimes we need the innocence and purity of a child to remind us of that.

Shabbat shalom!
Yitzchak