Page 29 - HaMizrachi Rosh HaShana - Yom Kippur 5783 USA

“Shlichut” and “Shmiah”
’

in the Torah Readings

of Rosh Hashanah Rabbanit

Shani Taragin

n the first day of Rosh A close examination of the text as his “son” and maintains his faith
Hashanah, we read the underscores the connection between and readiness to fulfill Hashem’s
story of Bereishit 21, the stories: In each case, Avraham is command. “And Avraham sent forth
Owhich describes how required to part from a son, and in both his hand.” The angel therefore cried
Hashem blessed Sarah with a child. instances, he fulfills G-d’s command out: “All the nations of the earth
According to the rabbis, Sarah early in the morning. In each story, shall bless themselves by your
conceived on Rosh Hashanah (Rosh the son, referred to as na’ar (lad), descendants, because you have heeded
Hashanah 10b–11a), making this story faces mortal danger and is ultimately My command.”
particularly appropriate for the Day saved. Furthermore, these are the Hagar could not “see” the well of water
of Judgment. Surprisingly, however, only two stories in which we find an and salvation before her eyes, let alone
the Torah reading does not end with angel calling “from the heavens” and “heed” the promises hinted to in her
the birth of Yitzchak. We not only which reveal a new phenomenon (a son’s name, and so she cast her son to
read the beginning of the chapter, of well of water and a ram caught in the die in despair. By contrast, Avraham
the miraculous birth of Yitzchak to thicket). Finally, both stories conclude “sees” his sacrifice, and knows when
Avraham and Sarah, but continue the with Divine promises that the na’ar to “send away” one son and “send forth
narrative with the expulsion of Hagar will become “a great nation” or have his hand” to kill the other son as he
and Yishmael from Avraham’s home. a “multitude of descendants”. “heeds” Divine commands.
Why include the story of Hagar and The parallels also highlight the
Yishmael which appears to have no sharp contrast between Avraham Shlichut is an expression of shmi’ah – of
connection to Rosh Hashanah? listening, internalizing and heeding
and Hagar – a difference expressed commandments of Hashem that often
It may be that the second half of the through the words עמש (heeding) and demand sacrifice. Sometimes we are
story is meant to serve as a prelude for חלש (sending). Hashem commands meant to “send forth” others as an
the Torah reading of akeidat Yitzchak on Avraham: “Do not be distressed over expression of Divine mission, while
the second day, which begins with the the boy (Yishmael) or your slave other times we must “send forth” our
next chapter – “And it was, after these (Hagar); whatever Sarah tells you, heed own hands (cf. Rashi, Shemot 2:5).
things…” – suggesting the story of akeidat what she says…” Avraham then “sends” The two juxtaposed Torah readings
Yitzchak is connected to the preceding them away. Hagar, though receiving of Rosh Hashanah remind us that
story of the banishment of Yishmael. the angel’s explicit promise that “I will shlichut requires of us to see beyond
Reading these stories on consecutive multiply your seed exceedingly, that it the challenges of the moment, and to
days highlights how painful it was shall not be numbered for multitude”, maintain our faith in the promises
for Avraham to fulfill Hashem’s and that Yishmael would “dwell in the of Hashem: “All the nations of the
command and offer Yitzchak as a presence of all his brethren” (16:10– earth shall bless themselves by your
sacrifice immediately after Hashem 12), nevertheless falls into complete descendants, because you have heeded
commanded him to banish (i.e. a despair when Yishmael dehydrates My command.”
form of ‘sacrificing’) Yishmael – for and “casts” – as opposed to “sends” –
“through Yitzchak your offspring shall “the child” under a bush.
be continued”! Even when lifting up the knife to Rabbanit Shani Taragin is Educational
slay Yitzchak, Avraham still sees him Director of Mizrachi and the Director of the
Mizrachi-TVA Lapidot Educators’ Program.

A member of
the Mizrachi
Speakers Bureau
mizrachi.org/
speakers

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