Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch suggests that the names of Adam’s descendants listed in chapter five of Parshat Bereishit reflect the character of their generation.
Thus, the generation of Mahalalel – which literally means “praise of G-d” – was one “of piety.” It constituted “an upswing of the pendulum toward G-d” after the generation of Kenan, which had “idolize[d] possessions.”
Mankind did not remain righteous, however. The generation of Mahalalel gave birth to the generation of Yered, which means “sinking.” How do we understand this decline?
Rav Hirsch explains:
“[M]ere praising G-d, mere psalm-singing and looking up towards G-d never effects a regeneration of any generation. Where honoring G-d consists of hymns and prayers, and not – as in Judaism – in subordinating one’s life under the laws of G-d’s will…a Mahalalel is always followed by a Yered; then, in spite of the ‘lip-service,’ the generation sinks.”
If I may apply Rav Hirsch’s admonition to the situation in Israel: Certainly we have to pray for G-d’s help. But G-d gave us first-rate tanks, planes, missiles, submarines, and more. He gave us everything we need to defeat our enemies. The ball is now in our court. We can sit and cry, or we can adhere to the Divine imperative to protect ourselves, defend the honor of the Land of Israel, and avenge this horrific trampling under of G-d’s name.
“Psalm-singing and looking up towards G-d” isn’t enough. We must act – decisively.
Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch (1808-1888) – head of the Jewish community in Frankfurt, Germany for over 35 years – was a prolific writer whose ideas, passion, and brilliance helped save German Jewry from the onslaught of modernity.
Elliot Resnick, PhD, is the host of “The Elliot Resnick Show” and the editor of an upcoming work on etymological explanations in Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch’s commentary on Chumash.