The Rosh Hashonah Torah Portion’s Ten Commandments’ Moment

Get up. Carry the boy and hold him in your hand, because I shall make him a big nation.

Genesis 21: 23

The Rosh Hashonah Torah Portion tackles both matters of faith and covenant.

Abraham, in the portion, is embroiled in a familial crisis. He must deal with competing maternal interests. Sarah, his wife, is concerned over her son Isaac’s future. Likewise, Hagar, his concubine, is concerned over her son Ishmael’s future.

Looming in the background is Abraham’s covenant with the Lord.

With this predicament, Abraham’s faith is to be tested multiple times as he is forced to relinquish control. He must simply “let go” and trust that there is a plan in place.

The Covenant

At the time, Abraham had already covenanted with the Lord. He was to be very fruitful. Nations were to come from him. Further, his covenant would be everlasting for his descendants. Genesis 17:6-7

The Conflict

The Portion’s passage of interest occurs after Sarah demands that Ishmael be sent away.

The Torah states

“And God said to Abraham, “Let it not be bad in your eyes about the boy [Ishmael] and about your maid. Everything that Sarah tells you: listen to her voice; because seed for you will be called by Isaac. And I’ll make the maid’s son into a nation as well, because he’s your seed.” Genesis 21:12-13.

Abraham, emotionally troubled that his hands are tied, is forced to act upon faith. He must hope that Ishmael will survive on his own.

This moment parallels Abraham’s other moment of losing control. After this, he will directed to sacrifice Isaac.

Ishmael

Abraham is reassured by the Lord that his covenant will protect Ishmael. The divine intervention occurs in the wilderness. There, the Lord advises Hagar, Ishmael’s mother that the Ishmael will become a great nation.

Takeaway

Covenanting demonstrates God’s universality. The Ten Commandments is the furtherance of Abraham’s covenant as it extends through Isaac’s descendants.

With Isaac, there would be another familial crisis between the brothers Esau and Jacob. Through Jacob, whose name would be changed to Israel, the Children of Israel would be created.

This group would in turn form the Mt. Sinai covenant. This event, as this passage shows, indicates that the Ten Commandments are not the Universal God’s only covenant. This fact is often not appreciated and so important. This factor perhaps is a reason as to why this passage to start of every new year.

Be well!!

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