October 16, 2013

In this week's Torah portion, Abraham stands up for his view of righteousness.  He argues with God over the number of righteous people that might be living in Sodom and Gomorrah.  He questions God's sense of justice in decreeing destruction for the two cities.  In the end, it is decided that there are not even ten righteous people there.  While the annhiliation of these two cities leaves much for interpretation and debate, it is this moment of standing up to leadership, to God in the case of Abraham, that seems to ring loudly as the message this week for me.

As we endure day after day of our government failing to work, failing to fulfill their jobs, on every side of the "aisle" I hear the words that Abraham spoke to God, "Shall the judge of all the earth not deal justly?" (Gen. 18:25)  When I read this verse this week, it sounds something like this, "Should those charged with working on our behalf not even get their basic job done?"

The message rings as an opportunity for us to follow in Abraham's footsteps.  To call out to those who represent us and simply say, get the job done.  Do what you can to represent us, your constituents, but most importantly repair our reputation as a fiscally responsible nation.  This to me seems to be the common message.

It is not every week that a Torah portion echoes so clearly our current events.  Yet, standing up to injustice, speaking loudly for what matters to us is Abraham's message, and right now it is unjust that 1000s of workers are laid off, furloughed during the shutdown, that access to services, parks and other "non-esential" programs is denied and that our full faith and trust in our government is being sullied.

As this reality continues, I urge all of us to contact our representatives with a simply message:  Do your best to represent us, your constituents, but get the job done and get it done today.  That is living in the footsteps of Abraham.