In today’s portion, we learned about Abram and the King of Sodom. The king wanted his people back (that Abram had rescued from Chedorlaomer) but offered to let Abram take all the possessions for himself.

Abram’s response was to focus on Hashem; he wasn’t going to take even a shoelace or thread because it was Gods doing. This was a miracle – remember 318 men defeated an army that defeated five kings. Abram knew this was God’s doing and didn’t want to take the spoils of what Hashem did.

Yet. He also allowed people he was with to take their share.

Rabbi Israel Meir Kagan (in the 19-20th century) wrote;

“Abram refused to take any reward for himself, but did not force this stringency on his colleagues. They deserved their share of the spoils. There is an important lesson to be learned here. Be especially critical of your own actions, but not when it comes to those of other people.”

Wow. How often do we (I) get this wrong? When it comes to Jewish practice, how often do we judge others for what they are (or not) doing? Even worse; I judge those doing things I’m not and ASSUMING they are judging me for doing less!

How do i wrestle with this idea? I think it comes down to the idea of control. I like things being put in boxes. There are Jews who do more than I, there are Jews who do less. There is somehow comfort in that concept; even though it’s totally bunk.

As my friend Rabbi  Meir points out often; “there are no good Jews or bad Jews, only Jews!” I struggle to ground myself in that reality on the daily. Even with my kids.

So. Moving forward. How did Hashem respond to Abram forgoing the spoils of war?

Hashem gave Abram a vision. He told Abram he would protect him. He doubled down in telling Abram he was safe. (Hold on to this for a little bit later) Hashem was going to reward Abram!

Abram almost complains to God in response. He complains Hashem has not provided any children. Hashem tells him children are coming from Abram, and they will be numerous.

And. Abram believed in God (the Talmud adds “without asking for a sign”) and Hashem considered this an act of righteousness!

Going back, considering the stars. Not only are the stars numerous, as Rabbi Joseph Saul Nathanson points out, when viewed from earth they are small and almost insignificant- but when viewed from the heavens they are great and mighty!

I had never really considered this juxtaposition before. Hashem called it; (as Rabbi Nathanson points out); Abram’s descendants will be treated as small and insignificant down on earth, but when viewed from heaven we are considered great and noble! Wow!

In addition, Hashem reminded Abram he was safe. Hashem was his shield. How much do we need to know we are safe, especially given what is happening around us.

I’m learning a lot these days about trauma and the impact on our brains. Trauma brains constantly live in a state of fear and survival. Even the smallest threat can be perceived as big when viewed through a trauma brain.

Yet Hashem is our shield. He protects us. We are safe. Do we believe (like Abram)?

Where are we feeling unsafe in our own lives? Where do we need to hear Hashem tell us “Don’t be afraid (insert your name here)! I am your shield!”

Maybe we feel undeserving of Hashem’s shield. Maybe we feel like we have done things wrong and made too many mistakes to have Hashem as our shield. But considering Abram pawned his wife off as his sister and lived in fear at times, there should be some comfort here for us. Hashem is our shield. We are indeed safe!

Thoughts? I love when y’all engage! Do you have questions? Insights? Challenges? Things I missed? Leave them below!