Vision for Conservative Early Childhood Programs: A Journey Guide

Impatient Abraham: A Story of Teshuvah (repentance)
Abraham was well known for his many middot (good
virtues), especially hachnasat orchim, welcoming ( !
strangers and guests. Abraham welcomed everyone to !8)
his tent – young or old, rich or poor, friend or
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stranger. It didn’t matter who they were, Abraham 5$8)7
always greeted them warmly and offered a cold drink !0!
and a cool place to rest. Abraham was also very 0
gracious about doing teshuvah and saying he was 2
sorry when he did something wrong. Abraham learned
that important lesson from God, and this is the story.
Early one evening while Abraham was sitting in his tent, a weary old traveler passed by.
In his usual friendly manner, Abraham ran to greet
him and offer him a cold drink and a place to sit. &8
The man refused, saying he preferred to sleep !!/01
outside. Abraham pleaded with him to change his !& 9:9-:
mind until finally the traveler relented and came
inside. Sarah hurried to bring him cool water and cake, which the man ate hungrily.
When they were finished with their meal Abraham offered up a simple prayer thanking
God. The old man watched him curiously.
“What is this Adonai you speak of?” the weary
man asked Abraham. “I have not heard of this
god in my travels.” Abraham explained that this
was the one true God, the creator of heaven and
Earth, impossible to see but seeing all. The old
man shook his head and said, “I know only the
gods of my youth. I am too old to believe in
invisible gods.” Abraham became upset, and
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said, “When the sun goes down at night, who do you think watches over the earth? There
is only one true power behind all things and that is the one true God – Adonai!” Again
the man sadly shook his head and told Abraham that he was too old to believe in such
things. He only knew the gods of his youth. Now Abraham was very angry, and he told
the man to leave his tent if he could not believe in the one true God.
Just then, God came and asked Abraham where the
old man who came to shelter under his tent had gone.
Abraham told God that he sent him away because he
did not believe in God. God became angry with
Abraham and said, “All these years I have been
patient with this old man. I have fed him and clothed
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him, and I have not minded that he does not pray to me.” Abraham felt so bad for his
impatience with the old man, he ran to find him and apologize. He begged the man to
forgive him for his inhospitality, and to come back to the tent with him. The old man
Vision for Conservative Early Childhood Programs: A Journey Guide
USCJ Department of Education
Maxine Handelman
Handelman@uscj.org
36