It all starts with the verse: "Abraham passed over and sat upon them" (Genesis 15:11). Simple enough, right? But what does it mean? What is Abraham sitting on?
Some interpret this verse as a symbolic description of sacrifice. They say that Abraham, acting like someone scrutinizing the entrails of sacrificial animals in a temple, is seeking truth in omens. But is that really the message here?
Philo, a Jewish philosopher who lived in Alexandria around the time of Jesus, offers a different take. He urges us to adhere to Moses, to trust in God, and not to rely on "sophistical appearances and prognostications." So, what is Abraham doing with these birds?
Philo suggests that Abraham, this righteous man, is among the birds, who are “congregated together and flying about over him.” These aren’t just any birds, though. They symbolize injustice, covetousness, quarrels, and wars. Abraham, in this scene, embodies the desire to hinder these negative forces. He is a "guardian of peace."
Think about it: How often do we see injustice and conflict thriving when good people are absent or silent? Philo argues that kingdoms, societies, even our own lives, find stability only when virtuous individuals rise up and quell disturbances. It's a powerful image, isn't it?
The idea is that virtue isn’t just a personal attribute; it has the power to create positive change in the world around us. God, according to Philo, grants good habits – habits that lead to honor – to those who earnestly pursue virtue. And not just to them, but to those who benefit from their actions as well.
So, what does this all mean for us today? Maybe it’s a call to be more like Abraham in this midrashic interpretation. To actively "sit upon" the things that threaten peace and justice in our own lives and communities. To stand against the "birds" of negativity, seeking to create a more harmonious world. It's a reminder that even one person, armed with virtue, can make a significant difference. And that's a powerful thought to carry with us.