Recently the Jewish world has been discussing the results of the Pew research poll on American Jews and strategies to be used to ensure the survival of Judaism. Long before research polls and even before Judaism started, Avraham received advice on how to sustain the Jewish way of life.
In this week's Parsha Avraham meets the high priest Malky Tzedek who advises Avraham how to be successful. He brings Avraham bread and wine.
What is the deeper significance of Malky Tzedek giving Avraham bread and wine?
My brother in law, Rabbi Yeshaya Sussman taught me, bread is only good if it is fresh, if it is new and innovative. Wine is only good if it is old and aged, connected to the past. This is the lesson Malky Tzedek was teaching Avraham, it was about the proper balance between innovation and reverence for the past.
Judaism has to remain fresh and innovative using new technologies and new perspectives while remaining faithful to its ancient traditions and history. both are needed to sustain the Jewish people, and have a nice friday night dinner.
In this week's Parsha Avraham meets the high priest Malky Tzedek who advises Avraham how to be successful. He brings Avraham bread and wine.
What is the deeper significance of Malky Tzedek giving Avraham bread and wine?
My brother in law, Rabbi Yeshaya Sussman taught me, bread is only good if it is fresh, if it is new and innovative. Wine is only good if it is old and aged, connected to the past. This is the lesson Malky Tzedek was teaching Avraham, it was about the proper balance between innovation and reverence for the past.
Judaism has to remain fresh and innovative using new technologies and new perspectives while remaining faithful to its ancient traditions and history. both are needed to sustain the Jewish people, and have a nice friday night dinner.
