Lech Lecha

Songs of Peace

Adapted from Rabbi Marc Angel

After going to battle to save his nephew Lot, Avraham meets with the king of Sodom. Avraham declines to take any booty from the war, and says, "I have lifted up my hand unto the Lord, God Most High, Maker of heaven and earth . . ." Most commentators believe that Avraham is referring to an oath he took not to profit from war.

One midrash, however, suggests that Avraham's words are not referring to an oath. They are instead introductory words of song, similar to Psalm 121, which says "I lift my eyes . . . my help comes . . . from the Maker of heaven and earth." The song is a prayer that the army of Sodom had not killed any innocent people in the course of battle. For Avraham, this is an ongoing prayer that he offers universally. Later, he asks God not to kill any innocent people during the punishment of Sodom.

To offer this prayer as a song is to add to its meaning. Each person has a unique contribution to make to this world. Symbolically, a person's unique contribution can be described as a song, a special melody that imbues life with meaning and purpose. Here Avraham sings his own song expressing his commitment to the one God of heaven and earth. He sings for the protection of all human beings. He sings his hope that other unique songs not be extinguished.

May our unique songs weave together in harmony.

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