Seeing YHWH, Being Seen by YHWH
by Rabbi Arthur Waskow
Dear Companions,
There are two midrashic responses I want to share to two different parts of the Torah portion of Vayera, the Torah portion for next Shabbat. One is about seeing YHWH in an unexpected place; the other, about being seen by YHWH in an unexpected time.
The first is at the beginning, Gen 18: 1: “Now YHWH was seen by him [Avraham] in the oaks of Mamre…” Most translators say “by the oaks”” because they can’t imagine how YHWH can be seen in the trees.
But if “YHWH” is understood as it is pronounced with no vowels — simply a breath, a wind, not as “Lord” or “Adonai,” then the rustling of the leaves as the Breath-of-life, the Wind-of-change blows through them is indeed visible. And we can see God in all the plants and animals of Earth, in every Breath we Interbreathe.
“Abraham's Oak”. in Bible Lands. Richard Newton, 1800.
This midrash is for this year, next decade, next generation, as the human species tries to learn to live peacefully with Earth, not subjugate them/it.
The second midrash that I want to share is rooted in Gen. 21: 14-21. Sarah and Avraham have expelled his other family — Hagar and Yishmael — from their home into the arid wilderness. He gave them some water, but not enough to save their lives.
Hagar begins to cry as Yishmael lies close to death. Then she “opens her eyes” and is able to see a wellspring — The Wellspring of the Living One Who Sees Me.
Its water saves their lives and the future of their people.
“Hagar's Despair”. Historiae celebriores Veteris Testamenti Iconibus representatae, Caspar Luiken, 1712.
My midrash? That Hagar’s tears, the tears of grief themselves, give birth to the Well of Transformation.
It is a midrash, Torah, for today. Not rage, not revenge, not imposing a wilderness of desolation, but grief gives birth to transformation. A midrash for those who rule Israel, those who rule Gaza, those who claim to support either or both of the stricken peoples.
With blessings of grief and blessings of action for both peoples
— Arthur