Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/198

 The Book of Genesis

180

Abraham, was worthy to become The task of being a blessing unto all the earth was to descend from Abraham to

the relatives of Isaac.

the

Isaac

^precious birthright.

was

to

the wife of families of

Isaac

as

messenger of truth and blessing after his father. In task his wife must share. And quite as much as Isaac, too,

must possess

for the

fulfilment

a

become God's servant and this

she,

the qualities and virtues indispensable

all

of

the mission,

kindness of heart,

gfen-

erosity, hospitality, tireless industry, willingness to serve

and

to satisfy the

needs of even the humblest of God's creatures.

And

w^se

so

the

servant

determined upon

a

test,

which

should adequately measure the maiden's real worth and ness to become the wife of his to his request

young master.

If, in

fit-

answer

for water, she should bethink herself also of

his thirsting camels,

and

if

she should respond whole-heart-

edly and generously to his appeal for entertainment for him-

and

and should not spare herself in the it would prove that this maiden was w^orthy in every w^ay to become the wife of Isaac, and to share in the glorious birthright of service which was to be theirs. How well Rebekah stood this test, the story tells. self

his attendants,

sincerity of her hospitality,

But a word of caution must be spoken here. This motive of the and particularly of Rebekah's watering the camels, is the most striking incident of the early part of the story, and its moral lesson is obvious. For this reason in presenting this story the religious

test,

school teacher frequently attempts to bring

But

home

the very valuable

This is by no means the main theme of the story, and certainly the author intended it to be no more than a passing incident in the larger narrative. Therefore to over-emphasize this thought means to miss the real point of the story, and to fail to bring out its essential Jewish message. lesson of kindness to animals.

this

is

not enough.

Xot that tbe opportunity to speak of the virtue of kindness to animals should be neglected. Jt should be dwelt upon forcil)ly, Init in due proportion, as the best proof of Rebekah's true worth. The teacher should show that kindness to animals and to all creatures lower and weaker than ourselves has alwavs been a virtue of the true