CU3-10

**Goal:** Students will use the myth of Abraham and Sarah and the angels as a way to discuss how to treat strangers ** 1. **** Gain attention of the learner**: It is a value that Jews sometimes practice to make strangers feel welcomed in a new place. What are different ways students have made new students feel welcomed into their classes? ** 2. **** Review relevant past learning**: As Abraham destroys his father’s workshop he begins his quest on starting a family and settling his home. He settles in the land of Canaan so that he separates himself from the community of idol worshippers. The rabbis wished by telling stories about Abraham, his virtues would be practiced by others. ** 3. **** Present new material**: Read or retell the story of Abraham and the Heathen (see below). ** 4. **** Provide guided practice**: Abraham is visited by these people and throws them out. After talking to God Abraham sees he was wrong for throwing them out and then goes and gets them back. The rabbis filled this story with several lessons of why it is important to be hospitable. ** 5. **** Provide independent practice**: Several improbabilities appear in this story. What reasons can your students name for them occurring or being included in the story? ** 6. **** Close the lesson**: Tie this lesson into the class’s social action project. (e.g. In Philadelphia, an organization exists called Bikur Cholim, which means welcoming the ill. Bikur Cholim of Philadelphia 1706 Solly Ave. Philadelphia, Pa 19152 Fax: (215) 342 0743. When someone is home sick, or sick in the hospital and need visitors or relief in caring for someone in the hospital, this organization offers a free apartment near University of Penn hospital, plus other support services during stressful and sometimes scary times. What activity could your students do to help this organization? Make a chart that lists each month from now through May a plan for how your class can help this organization. Under each month, devise a plan for helping patients and their families when they come to this city.) **Abraham and the Heathen** ** (Humanist Readings in Jewish Folklore selected and edited by Bennett Muraskin) ** Once, as the Patriarch Abraham sat at the entrance of his tent, he saw an old tired man approach. Abraham arose and ran forward to bid him welcome. He begged him to enter his tent and rest, but the old man declined the invitation and said, "No, thank you!" I will take my rest under a tree."   But, after Abraham continued to press him with his hospitable attentions the old man allowed himself to be persuaded and entered the tent.     Abraham placed before him goat's milk and butter and baked for him fresh cakes. The stranger ate until he was satisfied. Then Abraham said to him, "now praise the Lord, the God of Heaven and earth, Who gives bread to all His creatures."     "I do not know your God," replied the old man coldly. "I will only praise the god that my hands have fashioned!"     Then Abraham spoke to the old man, told him of God's greatness and loving kindness. He tried to convince him that his idols were senseless things that could neither help nor save anyone. He urged him therefore to abandon them and put his faith in the one true God and thank Him for His gracious acts that He did for him every day. But to all of Abraham's fervent pleas the old man answered indignantly, "How dare you talk to me this way, trying to turn me away from my gods! You and I have nothing in common, so do not impose on me any further with your words, because I will not heed them!"    At this Abraham grew very angry and cried out, "Old man, leave my tent!"     Without a word the old man departed and he was swallowed up by the dark night and the desert.     When the Almighty saw this He grew very wrathful and appeared before Abraham.     "Where is the man who came to you this night?" He asked sternly.     "The old man was stubborn," replied Abraham. "I tried to persuade him that if he believed in You everything would be well with him. He refused to heed my words so I grew angry and drove him out of my tent."   Then spoke God: "Have you considered what you have done? Reflect for one moment: Here am I, the God of all Creation--and yet have I endured the unbelief of this old man for so many years. I clothed and fed him and supplied all his needs. But when he came to you for just one night you dispensed with all duties of hospitality and compassion and drove him into the wilderness!"    Then Abraham fell upon his face and prayed to God the He forgive him his sin.     "I will not forgive you," said God, "unless you first ask forgiveness from the heathen to whom you have done evil!"     Swiftly, Abraham ran out of his tent and into the desert and after much searching found the old man. Then he fell at his feet and wept and begged for his forgiveness. The old man was moved by Abraham's pleas and he forgave him.  //  adapted from Ausubel, A Treasury of Jewish Folklore  //  The origins of this story are completely unknown. Benjamin Franklin is said to have once used it in a speech. I consider it a wonderful parable about the need to respect religious pluralism.
 * 3:10** **Treating strangers kindly –** Myth of Abraham and the Heathen