Today the Rabbi's sermon involved Isaac and King Abemelich. Abemelich tried to make Isaac leave the country because Isaac was getting too rich and too powerful. Every time Isaac dug a well, the king filled it in. Isaac would not be deterred. He kept digging, kept finding water and kept growing wealthier. Finally Abemelich decided to stop fighting him and welcomed him to stay. He realized that Isaac must have G-d on his side and he wanted to be a part of that. He also realized that if he was to share Isaac's wealth, he better keep Isaac a part of the community.
One of the things I really like about my Rabbi is that the things he talks about from long ago parallel events of today. The Abemelich's of today are the politicians slamming the NCLB laws down our throats and the administrators who want us to work only for their performance bonuses. The teachers are the Isaacs, the ones who will keep on working, will not give up. I'm proud to be one of those teachers. I won't keep my mouth shut when I see things being done that are hurting my kids and hurting education. I won't keep my mouth shut when I see my colleagues being unfairly harassed. I am going to keep fighting until the Abemelichs of today realize that we have something good to bring to the community and start treating us with the respect Abemelich eventually gave to Isaac.
2 comments:
Thanks for this wonderful parsha lesson! I love the image of us teachers digging wells, despite the avimelechs that will keep filling them up. Very inspiring!
Even though I'm a Gentile, I can relate to this lesson!
Pissed Off, I hope you stick around in the classroom for a few more years--the kids need you!
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