The Challenge of Jewish Continuity

 

“And these are the offspring of Isaac the son of Avraham- Avraham begot Isaac.”

The first verse in this week’s Parsha seems redundant.

Why repeat the fact that Avraham was the father of Yitzchak- twice in one Pasuk?! Rashi quotes the Midrash which fills in the details of the story for us. There were these “Leitzanei Hador”- scoffers of that generation- who went around casting dispersions about Avraham’s paternity. They noted with interest that Sarah and Avraham were married for many years, without having children. And Sarah only had a child after her ordeal of being taken by Avimelech, King of the Plishtim. It was too much for these scoffers to not at least wonder whether it was actually Avimelech who was Yitzchak’s father.

The Midrash continues by telling us that to ensure that no-one would believe such vicious lies, Hashem made sure that the family resemblance between Avraham and Yitzchak was uncanny. Let me ask you: Does it really matter to G-d what the Leitzanei Hador were saying? Let the scoffers think and say whatever they want. We know the truth. As Jews we are not afraid to be unique and different, even if it means people will talk or laugh. We are not in the habit of concerning ourselves with scoffers. So why in this case did G-d intercede in order to silence the nay-sayers?

Rav Soloveitchik explained that the scoffers were not mocking/ doubting the biological possibility of Avraham fathering Yitzchak. Rather the scoffers were challenging the possibility that Avraham would be able to pass on his monotheistic values and moral code to the next generation. The scoffers at that time were willing to tolerate Avraham because they assumed that he would be a “one hit wonder”, ie blaze a trail and publicize new ideas- that would ultimately die with Avraham. In essence, the scoffers questioned the possibility of Jewish continuity.

The challenge of the scoffers of ancient times remains relevant for us today. The 1990 National Jewish Population Survey showed that the intermarriage rate among American Jews was close to 50%. That shocking news grabbed many headlines and led many Jewish organizations, scholars and professionals to focus on “Jewish continuity”: How do we ensure strong vibrant Jewish communities in the future, especially in an open society that welcomes Jews and allows Jews to assimilate as much as they like? Since 1990, the intermarriage rate has increased to over 60%, and instead of focusing on “Jewish continuity” many have shifted their attention to “Jewish engagement”. This is a better strategy: engage with people Jewishly, show them the relevance, meaning and beauty of Judaism so that they will be proud to be Jewish and want to contribute to the vitality and continuity of the Jewish People and the Jewish story. Continuity is not a value in and of itself. Continuity is only valuable if we are part of perpetuating something valuable.

When I was in Israel this past summer with RZA-Mizrachi, we had a meeting with Chief Rabbi David Lau in the offices of the Chief Rabbinate. On the wall in the waiting room was a chart called “Will Your Grandchildren Be Jewish?” (You can see a similar chart here, compliments of Aish HaTorah: https://bit.ly/3EIN21o). The chart gives estimates for the number of Jews there will be four generations later from different segments of the Jewish community, such as secular, Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, Ultra-Orthodox. The chart is based on intermarriage rates and average number of children.  While Jewish continuity in today’s environment can be challenging, we must not give in to the skepticism and pessimism that the scoffers expressed in Avraham’s time. Avraham Avinu proved that his radical ideas could be transmitted to future generations. They can withstand the test of time. When these ideas are lived, appreciated and properly transmitted, Jewish continuity will be assured.