Culture Collision: Vayera

And an angel of the Lord called to him from the skies and said, “Abraham! Abraham!” And he said, “I’m here.” And he said, “Don’t put your hand out toward the boy and don’t do anything to him, because now I know that you fear God.”

Genesis 22:12

The Torah Portion Vayera’s polemic against child sacrifice eternally resonates. Thoughts of Vayera may have seeped into Archaeologists’ minds in Peru. There, they uncovered the remains of approximately 48 children whose hearts were apparently ripped out to appease the gods. Child sacrifice likely an integral part of Peruvian Chimu civilization.

Some people today view the ancient Chimu culture with acceptance and inclusion. Is the present world comfortable with slaughtering children? Should the concept of equality be the basis for judging culture?

Of Culture

Cultures are akin a virus. They are like living organisms which require human involvement. Culture, like certain viruses, employ human hosts. Like viruses, cultures die when they lose their hosts.

When a culture’s hosts are existentially threatened, the human hosts may seek to adapt or accept other cultures.

As competition is present in the culture ecosystem, cultures must survive by dominance, adaptation or addition.

Some cultural additions can be met with head scratching on outward appearance. Deeper dives into the cultures can reveal while the addition works. Two of these additions involve Japanese and Jewish cultures. A Jewish song and a dance became part of Japanese culture while a Japanese cuisine became a Jewish cultural staple.

A Song and Dance

In the 1950s a bible based folk song “Mayim Mayim” with an accompanying dance invaded Japan. At the time, folk dancing was popular. The “Mayim Mayim” song and dance cemented into Japanese culture when folk dancing became part of elementary school physical education programs in 1955.

It has been opined that as Japan was struggling with its identity post World War II, a silly song with everyone holding their hands in a circle offered joy and unity. The song popularity remains as it is referenced within Japanese media. Click Here for In Depth Article

The Delicacy

For those keeping Kosher, Sushi is as if manna from heaven can from the sea. Not only a delicious food, Sushi offers tremendous utility for Observant Jews.

Since Sushi is mostly made of fish, it is a food that can be served on all occasions. Without the constraints of dairy or meat products, the cuisine exploded within the culture. Sushi is a popular offering at practically every celebration. Many Kosher markets have dedicated Sushi display cases.

Vayera’s Controversy and Accord

Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son has made him a polarizing figure. Many debate whether Abraham should have resisted the request to sacrifice his son.

Despite this polarization of Abraham, Vayera offers a consensus opinion that child sacrifice should be forbidden.

On Culture

A culture has many aspects. It can be as simple a song, a dance or a piece of California Roll (made with fake crab.) It can also be as treacherous as the slaughtering of children to appease the gods.

Over time, certain cultural practices were abandoned. The Chimu culture completely went away. Is the world is a better place since their cultural practice is no longer with us? Or, in our modernity, for the sake of inclusion and acceptance, should this practice be remembered with reverence? Or, is it possible to admit that, in some aspects, that an angel can come down from heaven to set the world straight by declaring ” enough is enough”?

Be well!!

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