Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/132

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The Book of Genesis

114

Lot continued thereafter, despite the

When

hitter's

choice.

selfish

was Abraham who rescued him. All this reveals the true greatness of Abraham. And it proves the truth of the wise proverb from the Bible,

A

Lot was taken prisoner,

it

answer turneth away wrath.

soft

Turning away wrath and working for peace are always characteristic of the truly great man. It is told of a certain rabbi of old, that he used to walk up and down before any person who had wronged him, in order to give that person a chance to ask pardon.

Instead of giving

way

anger

to

himself, he sought to bring the other person to repent.

he was great

this

Of men

Abraham.

like

these

like

In the

Bible wisely says, I

is slow to anger is better than the mighty he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a citv.

that

le

And



XVI,

And

the rabbis sagely remarked,

subdueth his

own

evil

we hear

While

this is

less

is

it

"Who

He who

a hero?

is

inclination".

In this, as in everything else,

Frequently

of

(Proverbs

32.)

by no means

Abraham "Israel's

said,

it

all

of

is

a very important part thereof.

is

])eace".

mission, none the

Israel's

human brotherhood, which Judaism

typical of Israel.

mission

Peace

is

proclaims.

the basis

Without

peace there can be no fellowship nor brotherly cooperation in the

alry

work of the world.

and

human

hostility

family

ceasingly

the

and unity teaches,

is

is

In the face of the jealousy, riv-

of the nations and races divided,

principles

it

of

is

Israel's

peace,

God's supreme blessing.

Come, ye will

children,

into

which the

to

herald un-

brotherhood,

as the foundation of true living.

pursuit of peace the highest duty of

I

task

cooperation

Peace, Judaism

The Bible makes life when it says,

hearken unto

me

teach yon the fear of the Lord.

the