October 28, 2023; 13 Cheshvan, 5784
The Midrash in this week’s Parsha (Bereishis Rabbah 38:11) tells us of the confrontation between Avrohom Avinu and Nimrod, and Avrohom’s remarkable Mesiras Nefesh (self-sacrifice) as a young child.
“Nimrod said to him, ‘Let us worship fire!’ Avrohom responded to him, ‘Should we not then worship water, which extinguishes fire!’ Nimrod said, ‘Then let us worship water!’ Avrohom responded, ‘Should we not then worship clouds, which carry the water?’ Nimrod said, ‘Then let us worship clouds!’ Avrohom responded, ‘If so, should we not then worship wind, which scatters the clouds?’ Nimrod said, ‘Then, let us worship wind!’ Avrohom responded, ‘Should we not then worship human beings, who withstand the wind?’....