What is the Jewish mission statement? What is our task here on earth as Jews?
In the parsha, we find God “debating with Himself” whether to tell his servant Avraham about his plans to destroy the corrupt city of Sodom and Gomorrah. In opting to tell Avraham, God reveals to us why he tells him and why it was Avraham that was chosen to bring about God’s world vision to fruition.
So says God: “For I have known him to command his children and his household that they will keep the way of God to do charity [tzedakah] and justice [mishpat] that God may bring up on Avraham that which he has spoken of him.” [Bereshit 18:19]
Incredible, the Jewish mission is to:
- Educate our children
- In the ways of Hashem [God, the Almighty]
- To do charity
- And to do justice
Educate our children
This is not a result, but it’s a constant process of teaching our children to live in accordance with the awe inspiring vision and mission of Judaism.
In the ways of Hashem [the Almighty]
The world has a purpose, a destiny, a creator and an overseer.
God has expectations because he sees our potential.
But, our God is a god of:
Charity and Justice
The Torah’s ways are ways of pleasantness and all its paths are peace. Our God is compassionate and He expects us to be compassionate. There is accountability and justice and God expects us to actualize this in our lives and this world. God gives to those in need and we are to give to those in need- physically or spiritually.
Avraham and Sarah were up to this task and God chose them because He knew, that we would be up for it as well.
Shabbat Shalom!