Talmud Class: An Iconoclast, a Philosopher, or An Activist: Which Vision of Abraham Do We Need Now?

A consequential week, in America and in Israel. How can Torah help us become better versions of ourselves? How can Torah help us become better citizens here and better lovers and supporters of Israel? This week we begin the Abraham story. Why Abraham? Why did God pick him? We know that God picked him, but we have no idea as to why. In his essay A Palace in Flames, the late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks offers three explanations based on three different midrashic traditions. One, Abraham was an iconoclast.

He fought against existing thinking. His friends, family and neighbors worshipped idols. He smashed idols. They are undeserving of our praise. He had the courage to stand alone. Two, Abraham was a philosopher.

He thought deeply and clearly about reality. With his powers of rational thought he understood that idols did not create the world. Three, Abraham was an activist.

He saw a world on fire, a world struggling with evil, and he was determined to be a force for justice and righteousness. He knew that God needed help, and so he answered with his trademark Hineni, I am here. Today we examine each of these three midrashic traditions with this lens: what does this midrashic tradition teach us now? Is one of these moves most urgently needed now? How would we translate Abraham energy—as an iconoclast, a philosopher, or an activist—into our world?