How do we educate and instill our values into our children and students? Is it preferable to prevent the student from exposure to other cultures, or perhaps there is a positive aspect to this exposure? How do these questions relate to Avraham's journey to the Negev?
After the description of Sedom's destruction in chapter 19, Avraham departs from Elonei Mamreh, where he had settled after returning from Egypt (13:18) and travels to the Negev (20:1). Why did he leave, and where exactly did he go? A number of commentators attempt to answer these questions. The language of the verse "and he dwelt between Kadesh and between Shur, and he sojourned in Gerar," is unclear. Where did he live?
Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, the great educator, discusses this perplexing verse. He explains that Avraham permanently lived between Kadesh and Shur, but temporarily lived also in Gerar. He further explains that initially Avraham wanted to seclude himself and his family from the main cities, but only gradually did he begin to establish ties with them.
Why did Avraham do this? Rabbi Hirsch explains that on one hand Avraham and Sara wanted to raise their future son secluded from any harmful influences. However, this complete seclusion is a dangerous educational mistake. A youth who has never experienced a lifestyle different than that of his parents will ultimately be easily swayed upon his first exposure to a different lifestyle.
According to Rabbi Hirsch, the main goal of the exposure is to strengthen oneself and not necessarily for the value of openness to other cultures. However, it is necessary to expose Yitzchak occasionally to a foreign world in order that he appreciates the differences, and even contradictions, and also to strengthen himself to continue on Avraham's path.