Election season is a busy time for political scientists. During the campaigns, they predict the outcomes, and after the elections, they try to understand them. On both ends they rely heavily on the data, which is what all scientific regimens depend on: data, data, data. While most things in our world can be explained or at least probed with scientific methods based on reliable data, the existence of the Jewish nation today is one glaring exception. The stories in this week’s parsha portray how this anomaly is at the core of our Jewish identity.
Avraham was a man of genuine curiosity, intelligence, and integrity. When he discovered the truth of G-d on his own at a young age he worked tirelessly to promote monotheism in a society dominated by idolatry for centuries. He and his wife Sarah did this holy work together with grace and generosity through their legendary hospitality at the crossroads of civilization. Over time, he came to be respected by friend and foe alike, until all the nations unanimously designated Avraham as a prince and leader among them. But although they respected him, they mocked his monotheistic beliefs.
One of his chief critics was a literal giant of a king named Og. He often argued that although Avraham’s ideas were gradually gaining popularity, the fact he and Sarah had no children of their own meant monotheism was a passing fad in a world that would always remain dominated by idolatry. He predicted that Avraham would ultimately be a footnote in history. When G-d blessed Avraham at the age of 100 and Sarah at the age of 90 with their son Yitzchak, all the world leaders, including Og, participated in the huge celebration held in honor of the Bris done with the eight-day-old Yitzchak. The Talmud relates that during the feast, Og was asked if he was reconsidering his prediction in light of the miracle of Avraham and Sarah birthing a son. Og mockingly pointed out some laws of social gravity. Ideological revolutions need large followings and this tiny baby was hardly a match for the mass of humanity comfortably entrenched in idolatry. In addition, Yitzchak was a full century younger than his father - an insurmountable generation gap - and there was no chance the young and probably progressive Yitzchak would ever buy into Avraham’s eccentric beliefs. “And besides,” Og concluded, “I can crush this little child with my pinky finger.” Things did not work out according to Og’s expert and sage predictions based on the clear data available to him at the time. Four hundred and forty years later, approximately three million of Yitzchak’s descendants waged war on Og’s nation and their leader Moshe killed him with a spear blow to the ankle. Jewish survival worries many people and recent events make this a valid concern. But searching for the answers or solutions to this problem in social sciences or any academic regimens outside of Torah is as silly as seeking medical advice from a cake recipe. Investing in Jewish education, observance and pride is the only way to ensure Jewish continuity. And it all starts with ourselves as individuals. When we study Torah and do Mitzvot proudly, we become an inspiration for others and pave the way for the realization of the divine promise to our patriarchs and matriarchs of a world enveloped in the awareness of its creator, which will usher in an era of true peace and tranquility for all.