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Rabbanit Margot Rabbi Daniel Aviva
Botwinick Kraus Stern

y 4-year-old son loves asking about o much has been written about these ashem takes Avraham outside and
Hashem. “Who are Hashem’s mommy larger-than-life personalities, and more likens his future progeny to the stars
and daddy?” “Is Hashem married?” is yet to be written, taught, and debated of the sky. The Netziv explains that since
“Is He stronger than Spiderman?” His around various aspects of their character Avraham was already promised descen-
Mquestions are sharp and penetrating... Sand life. Despite the greatness of each of Hdents numbering the dust of the earth,
for a four-year-old. Sometimes I wonder, is my our forefathers and foremothers, it is Avraham the metaphor of innumerable stars teaches him,
relationship with G-d as thoughtful as his? who stands out for me as an icon of inspira- and us, something new. Each star is a unique
There are many Midrashim about how tion. Though Avraham earned and developed source of light, with the ability to contribute
Avraham discovered G-d. Notably, in each story, his greatness by actively seeking out G-d and and guide others. So too every child of Avraham
he’s a different age! Which was it – was Avraham subsequently committing himself to serve Him, can bring light to the world, influence others and
3, 10, 48, 70 or 75 when he discovered Hashem? his faith and commitment became a part of the impact the entire universe.
The explanation that speaks to my personal Jewish people’s DNA. It’s easy to feel that we are merely going
experience is that all of these seemingly At the core of Avraham’s moral code was through the motions of life without making a
conflicting accounts and ages are true. Avraham his commitment to hospitality. I remember significant difference. Even Avraham feared he
re-discovered G-d at each new stage of his life. when I first read Manhattan restaurateur Danny wouldn’t leave a legacy! But Hashem reassures
When Avraham looked up at the sun and Meyer’s signature book, Setting the Table, where Avraham that he will. This promise, that each of
moon as a small child, when he was asked to he shares amazing stories and anecdotes that his children will be a star, is an inspiration to me.
sacrifice his son, when his wife passed away, underscore the importance of great hospitality. On Rosh Hashanah, I reconnected with a
and as he went through all of life’s ups and Yet I couldn’t help but compare each and every student I hadn’t seen in a very long time (she
downs – at each of these stages he understood example he shared to what amounts to the is now the age that I was then!). She said that
G-d differently, each time with more depth than world’s first hospitality conference – the story every Rosh Hashanah during Mussaf, she thinks
before. of Avraham and his three guests. of the first Mishnah of Masechet Rosh Hashanah
As we go through our own lives, whether In this story, Avraham demonstrated the that we learned, sang, acted out and memorized
it’s becoming a parent, dealing with sickness, foundational principles of true hachnassat together, back when she was in 5th grade.
navigating complex relationships, moving to orchim. Avraham waited outside of his home, I only taught 5th grade once, and I only
a new country or community, switching jobs seeking out opportunities to be hospitable. taught Mishnah once. I was inexperienced, and
it was hardly a highlight of my career. And yet,
or whatever opportunities or difficulties come He did not delegate or pawn off any aspect of that sing-song Mishnah, and me, the teacher who
along, Avraham challenges us to rediscover G-d hosting guests; he rolled up his sleeves and
over and over again. Our relationship with G-d got to work himself. And Avraham did not limit taught it, are what she remembers during the
most awesome moments of the year.
can and should be as vibrant and layered as life his hospitality to ‘important’ people. He didn’t I’ve had the privilege of teaching Torah to
itself. ask probing questions to determine who his hundreds of students over the years. When
guests were and whether they were worthy of his the daily grind of classroom teaching has me
attention. His goal was simple and pure – to give doubting whether I’m making an impact, I turn
and to engage. Period. Nothing was contingent to Avraham and the promise he received: that
on status, and there were no ulterior motives. every Jew can illuminate the entire world. That
May we follow in Avraham’s footsteps! was Hashem’s promise to Avraham, and it’s a
Rabbanit Margot Botwinick is the Rabbanit of promise that continuously inspires me.
Yeshiva University in Israel’s new Torat Tziyon Rabbi Daniel Kraus is the Director of Community Aviva Stern currently teaches at Ulpanat Rosh
program. She also teaches in Midreshet Torah Education at Kehilath Jeshurun in New York City Tzurim and serves as a Yoetzet Halacha for the
V’Avodah and other seminaries and institutions and the Associate Vice President of Strategic Part- Efrat community. She has previously taught middle
around Israel. nerships for the Birthright Israel Foundation. school in Efrat and New York.

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