The Well of the One Who Sees Me (Chayei Sarah 11/23/24)

The Well of the One Who Sees Me

Dear Manetto Hill Jewish Center family,

Thank you! I have never felt so loved and appreciated by so many as I did last Sunday. The affection in the room was palpable, and I know I wasn’t the only one glowing when the brunch was over; we were all walking on clouds. Furthermore, all of your notes and messages have touched my heart. I am extremely grateful and blessed to be a part of a community that loves and appreciates me.

A tremendous amount of work goes into planning such an event, so I’m indebted to Barry, Lance, Russ, Felicia, Jodi, Patti, Andi, Amy, and everyone who volunteered their time and energy on this great endeavor. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. May your efforts produce dividends for another ten years and more!

I deeply savor the honor given to me. Twenty-six years ago, I entered the rabbinate with the purest intentions, but it took me a while to catch on to the tricks of the trade. Even here, I’ve learned from my mistakes numerous times. Yet I must be doing something right as well. While I’ll take some of the credit, I must thank you and the congregations that have guided me over the years. We are on this journey together, and we learn from each other. May we continue to see MHJC thrive and grow, for ourselves and our children.

While we’re on the topic of living and learning, I’d like to share with you an insight I thought of while reading this week’s parsha.

After Abraham dies, Isaac and Rebecca move to “Be’er L’chai Roee.” Interestingly, this place was discovered and named by Sara’s maidservant, Hagar.

Sara was barren for many years. She decided to give Hagar to Abraham so that he could have children. Hagar conceived immediately, which might have made her act with some hubris towards her master. Sara was furious and proceeded to torment her. Hagar fled and took refuge near a well. There, an Angel of God spoke to her, consoled her, and blessed her. Hagar responded by saying, “You are El-Roee, the God who sees me. Therefore, the well was called Be’er-L’chai-Roee (the well of the One who sees me).”

In these parshas, we don’t hear much from Isaac; his words are the least we have among the Patriarchs. The Torah, though, desires us to speculate. Can we imagine how Isaac feels growing up in his household?

I would tend to believe that Sara was an overprotective mother. We definitely see her drive Hagar away twice. The second time, Isaac witnesses as Ishmael, his older brother and the only other heir to Abraham, and Hagar are cast out for good. How did Isaac feel about this move?

After Isaac was bound by Abraham and spared at the last second by an angel, the Torah recounts no more conversations between Abraham and Isaac. Although we can assume they conversed over the next sixty-five years, the lack of correspondence is telling. Could there have been a strain in the relationship?

Moving to Hagar’s well after Abraham and Sara have passed away makes me surmise that Isaac identifies with Hagar and Ishmael. Perhaps he bemoans their mistreatment.

Isn’t it telling that when Rebecca could not conceive for the first 19 years of their marriage, Isaac does not follow in his parents’ footsteps by taking a maidservant in order to have a child? He does not want to inflict on another the mistreatment he saw in his household.

Isaac had no say in Hagar and Ishmael being driven away nor when he was being bound and offered as a sacrifice. Perhaps he wanted to be seen and heard as well.

Therefore, once his parents are gone, he goes to the place Hagar discovered. Identifying with the downtrodden and wishing for his voice to be heard, he moves to the place where God sees and hears those in pain.

Then, Isaac is blessed on his own merits.

It’s comforting to go to a place steeped in the energy one seeks. While we can’t all go to Be’er L’chai Roee, we can come to MHJC for friendship, relief, and inspiration. It’s why I’ve chosen to stay here, and these are the qualities that I hope you and others will continue to find at MHJC in the years ahead.

Sincerely,

R’ Neil

Happy Thanksgiving