In this week's Torah portion (Vayeira) we learn about how to react when being offered a blessing...and just how powerful each person can be in our relationship to G-d.
Angels made their way to the tent of Abraham where, after being welcomed, offered a blessing to Sarah that she would have a child, a son. Sarah, who was advanced in years, answered that blessing with laughter as if to suggest that it was impossible. Sarah should have answered, "Amen."
This small story tells us something amazing about blessings and our how we are to respond. You see, a blessing is not something to laugh at. If we believe our faith we know that a blessing, offered on our behalf, is a direct conduit to G-d. I'll never forget that evening in Jerusalem when a man who was asking for charity on the street blessed my friend and I with wealth because of our one dollar donation. We didn't laugh but said...loudly..."Amen!" Ten steps later, under a small tree, we found nearly ten dollars. When we turned around to give even this to our new friend he smiled broadly and offered us a blessing of health. To which we loudly said, "Amen!" It was one of the most amazing moments of my life.
It's serious stuff and as we see in this story, receiving a blessing is not something to laugh at. May you be given the gift of health and the ability to continue learning on a daily basis and let us all say, "Amen!"
Adas Israel of Mason City welcomes you and we look forward to being of service to your family. You may reach us through our e-mail [email protected]or on Twitter @AdasIsraelMC. Have a wonderful Shabbat!