Television shows like American Idol (it’s returning after a two-year hiatus on February 27 on ABC) and The Voice have become a global phenomenon. Millions wait anxiously to find out who will be the next singer eliminated in the musical talent hunt.
Some called it “a new concept in
entertainment,” but it’s hardly a new idea. Some people will remember watching
Ted Mack’s Original Amateur Hour. That show was followed by the
bizarre talent hunt The Gong Show in the 70s, and then by Star
Search in the 80s. It is an ongoing theme of television to search for
someone unknown and make him or her famous.
Dreams of fame and fortune, however, are not
at the heart of the search that is truly timeless. That search is God’s own
pursuit of hearts that are available for His work in the world.
In this week’s Torah
portion, Lekh Lekha, God selects
Abraham. “God said to Abram, “Go forth
from your native land and from your father’s house to the land that I will show
you…Abram went forth as God had commanded him, and Lot went with him. Abram was
seventy-five years old when he left Haran. (Genesis 12:1, 4)
Next week God reveals to us what He wants
Abraham to do in the world. “For I have singled him out, that he may instruct
his children and his posterity to keep the way of God by doing what is just (tzedakah- צְדָקָ֖ה) and right (mishpat- מִשְׁפָּ֑ט)” (Genesis 18:19)
Samson
Raphael Hirsch explains the difference between tzedakah and mishpat. He
defines tzedakah as dutiful
benevolence, and justice while mishpat
(justice) denotes a benefit which a person has the right to demand from
another. God expects Abraham and his descendants not only to pursue justice,
but also to do what is right above and beyond the letter of the law.
That’s our mission. One way we can fulfill
our mission on Tuesday, November 8 is cast our vote for the candidates who
stands for tzedakah and mishpat to preserve our democracy. Are
you available?
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