Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/130

 The Book of Genesis

112

do the right thing train

himself,

the right way.

in

with

possibly

the

In childhood he must

help

loving

of

parents and teachers, to be always ready to do aright, until gradually

becomes a

it

habit.

and wise

little

things

Just as the pianist

first learn the position of the keys, but in time, through constant practice, his fingers unconsciously always strike the right key, so the person who has in him the making of a

must

and a true gentleman, comes in time to thing in the right way, immediately, right the do always without having to stop and think. almost and unhesitatingly, Perhaps just these character. his It has become a part of truly great person

many

little

things,

rather than the few big things, furnish

the best test of true greatness.

Abraham, we read of in this And the way in which he stood the test shows how lesson. When his shepherds and those of Lot truly great he was. quarreled, he might have become angry. And when the time came to separate, he might have said, "I am the older, and Just such a

test,

applied to

you owe me very much already, for all the kindness I have shown you. Therefore I am entitled to the first choice". It would have been perfectly true, and Lot could not have But it would probably have caused jealousy, objected. hatred, and unhappiness between them. Abraham showed his Theretrue greatness in wishing to avoid this at all costs. fore he said, *'Let there be no strife between me and thee". And knowing Lot as he did, he allowed him the first choice. Lot made a selfish choice, for he took the land which seemed the more fertile and desirable, and left to Abraham what he thought the poorer land. all

We

he had made a bad choice,

shall

and

see later that

that

after

Abraham's land

turned out to be better.

Thus Abraham did word at just the right

the right thing and spoke the right

Thereby all strife and trouble were avoided, and he and Lot parted, not in anger, but in The story goes on to show how Abraham's love for love. time.