CHUSYfest 2008
November 7th- November 9th
Am I My Brother’s Keeper?
The Concept of Acceptance and Our Responsibility for Others in Judaism
This session is called am I my brother’s keeper? Begin by asking USYers to answer that question.
-What does keeper mean?
-What does brother mean?
-Are you your brother’s keeper?
-How does this question relate to the topic of acceptance?
In the story of Cain and Abel, after Cain kills Abel, God asks Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” Cain replies, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”
(Bereishit 4:9)
-Do you think I do not know is an acceptable answer? Why or why not?
-What was God’s response?
- He curses Cain and tells him that he will become a ceaseless wanderer on the earth.
-In the Hebrew, the word Shomer is used in the question. What are other translations we know for Shomer?
- Think Shmira
- Guard, protector
-If you change the translation to “Am I my brother’s guardian?” or “Am I my brother’s protector?” does the meaning change?
-Is one word more serious, stricter than another?
The commentary in the Aitz Chayim states that the word “brother” is mentioned seven times in this chapter. Why do you think that is?
-to emphasis the relationship of Cain and Abel and to teach that man is indeed his brother’s keeper
The commentary continues to note that the answer to “Am I my brother’s keeper?” is unequivocally yes, that there have been many times in our history where we needed the help and protection of our brothers, and when others have needed us.
-Can you think of times when Jews were not “kept” by their fellow man, their brothers?
- Ex. Shoah – being turned in by their neighbors
-How about a time when they were “kept” by their brothers?
- Shoah – righteous gentiles
-Can you think of a time when the Jews were the keepers of their brothers?
In the wisdom of proverbs we are taught:
Speak up for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the unfortunate. Speak up, judge righteously, champion the poor and the needy?
(Proverbs 31:8)
-What does this verse mean?
-What can we learn about acceptance from this verse?
The Torah states:
When you build a new house, you shall make a parapet for your roof, so that you do not bring bloodguilt on your house if anyone should fall from it.
(Devarim 22:8)
-Why do you think it is your responsibility to build the parapet?
-Wouldn’t falling off the roof be the responsibility of the person that is on the roof, not the owner of the house?
-What does this have to do with looking out for others?
-What is the Torah saying here about the need to protect others?
We just read from the story of Bereishit a few weeks ago. In the first chapter, we read…
God created the Human in God’s own image…male and female, God created them…
(Bereishit 1:27)
-What does it mean to be created in the image of God?
-Were all humans created in the image of God or just the Jews?
-How do we treat God?
-How should you treat something that was created in God’s image?
-What can we learn about acceptance of all people from this?
Even though we were all created B’tzelem Elohim, in God’s Image, we are all unique. What do you think makes people unique?
If a person strikes several coins from the same die, they all resemble one another. But, although God fashioned every man in the stamp of the first man (Adam), not a single one is exactly like his fellow.
(Sanhedrin 4:5)
-How are we different if we were all created in God’s image?
-How can you explain these differences?
-What might be some of the things that were created in God’s image if we all look and act differently?
-Very often we judge the differences that others have rather than accept them. What can we do to accept these differences and not judge them?
Conclusion:
Let’s look at the question one more time… “Am I my brother’s keeper?” What can we do to guard and protect our brothers?
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