_ As Chayei Sarah opens, we see
Avraham attempting to purchase a burial plot for Sarah. Avraham begins his
entreaty by stating “I am an alien and a resident among you…” As Rashi
explains, Avraham is indeed from elsewhere, yet he has also settled in the area
and made it his home. R’ Yosef Dov Soloveitchik suggests a more metaphorical
interpretation, that this statement represents what all Jews face outside of
the land of Israel. We are supportive of our county and place of residence, yet
we remain “alien” in many ways, in terms of behavior, dress, and ultimate
allegiance to Hashem.
High school students who attend Jewish schools face this scenario at a time in their lives when fitting in is of utmost importance. There have been articles on a national level lamenting the fact that some teenagers are Shomer Shabbat…except for the fact that they continue to use their cell phones to text on Shabbat. In this case these teens seem to weight the scale toward the “resident” side of Avraham’s statement; they do not want to miss out, and all of their non-Jewish friends are texting on this day, so they do as well. On the flip side, I’m proud to say that I’ve seen teenagers confidently wearing their “alien” behaviors on their sleeves, telling friends that they look forward to joining them Saturday evening AFTER Shabbat has ended, even when that teen is well aware that his non-Jewish friends will be spending time together hours beforehand.
Being a “resident” is not always a negative. Jewish high school students can and do use the Internet in wonderful and productive ways. Some students consult aish.com to get ideas for divrei Torah. Others check for Shabbat start times online when in a different part of the country. Some simply use Skype to communicate with friends and relatives in other parts of the world.
Choosing between the status of resident and alien is of course a particular challenge to the modern Orthodox, as we embrace both roles. My hope is that Hashem gives us all the power to make appropriate choices when faced with having to choose which role to play at any particular time.
Shabbat Shalom--
Paul Oberman
Please join us at our next Lunch and Learn at Yeshiva Atlanta on Monday, November 21, from noon until 1 pm in the media center. All are welcome to join in the discussion about Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch and Isaiah Chapter 6, the haftorah for Yitro.
Publix Partners cards are available in the main office at Yeshiva Atlanta. These cards can be added to your keychain so you can easily support Yeshiva Atlanta while you do your regular shopping.
High school students who attend Jewish schools face this scenario at a time in their lives when fitting in is of utmost importance. There have been articles on a national level lamenting the fact that some teenagers are Shomer Shabbat…except for the fact that they continue to use their cell phones to text on Shabbat. In this case these teens seem to weight the scale toward the “resident” side of Avraham’s statement; they do not want to miss out, and all of their non-Jewish friends are texting on this day, so they do as well. On the flip side, I’m proud to say that I’ve seen teenagers confidently wearing their “alien” behaviors on their sleeves, telling friends that they look forward to joining them Saturday evening AFTER Shabbat has ended, even when that teen is well aware that his non-Jewish friends will be spending time together hours beforehand.
Being a “resident” is not always a negative. Jewish high school students can and do use the Internet in wonderful and productive ways. Some students consult aish.com to get ideas for divrei Torah. Others check for Shabbat start times online when in a different part of the country. Some simply use Skype to communicate with friends and relatives in other parts of the world.
Choosing between the status of resident and alien is of course a particular challenge to the modern Orthodox, as we embrace both roles. My hope is that Hashem gives us all the power to make appropriate choices when faced with having to choose which role to play at any particular time.
Shabbat Shalom--
Paul Oberman
Please join us at our next Lunch and Learn at Yeshiva Atlanta on Monday, November 21, from noon until 1 pm in the media center. All are welcome to join in the discussion about Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch and Isaiah Chapter 6, the haftorah for Yitro.
Publix Partners cards are available in the main office at Yeshiva Atlanta. These cards can be added to your keychain so you can easily support Yeshiva Atlanta while you do your regular shopping.
