When Morals Mean Nothing

In this week's parsha Avraham moves to a new town called G'rar. However, when he arrives he decides to tell the people there that his wife, Sarah, is his sister. Of course, when the truth is discovered, everyone is more than just a little confused. The people ask Avraham why he would say such a thing. Avraham replies, "There is but no fear of G-d in this place and they will kill me because of my wife." (Genesis 20:12) 

 During the early days of the Nazi regime in Germany, the famed Rabbi Elchonon Wasserman was asked to speak at a Rabbinical conference. In his speech he wondered aload why the above verse did not just say, "There is no fear of G-d..." Why does it add a seemingly extra word, "There is but no fear of G-d..." His conclusion was that Grar wasn't a bad place to live, but quite the opposite, that the town had plenty to offer. Avraham saw many wonderful things - technological developments, academic prowess. But there was one thing lacking, there was no fear of G-d. And if there was no recognition that there is a Higher Authority Who is in control, then one needs to be careful lest "they may kill me."

A country can have all the highest morals and standards, but if is not rooted in an awareness of the Almighty, rather it is just based on human attitudes as to what is right and what is wrong, then morals and standards can change with the onset of new conditions. They can drop awfully low and can become completely warped to the point where for example animals are considered to be more important than some human beings and who knows what may happen. Unfortunately, these words were only too true in Nazi Germany.