1. Father = Master

Father of the 3 most influential religions in the World, his name in fact means “father of many,” of a multitude of believers destined to cover the whole Earth. It certainly seems that this prediction is coming true, and inexorably we are approaching, as humankind, the fulfillment of this prophecy (look at the numbers here).

The story of Abraham is told in the Bible, first Book of Genesis.
After the creation of the World, the sin of Adam and Eve, and after Noah survived the Great Flood, the narrative introduces us to the story of Abraham (Genesis 11 to 25).
Yet the Holy Scripture tells us little about the first half of his life, emphasizing instead from the moment when GOD commands him to leave his home and family, to follow his calling: to go to the land that GOD promises to show him, and thus become the “father” of the universe of believers.

This Master of Faith thus spread awareness in GOD, established himself an eshel, which the sages interpret as an orchard (to feed wayfarers or a true inn (Genesis 21, 33). In addition to feeding the people and making sure they had water to drink as they crossed the desert, Abraham also taught them to thank GOD for what they already possessed, and were receiving.
In this way the knowledge of the Creator was scattered throughout the land.

2. Patriarch = Guide

[perfectpullquote align=”right” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”#4476a5″ class=”” size=”16″]Abraham, or אַבְרָהָם (ʾAvraham) in modern Hebrew, and in Arabic إبراهيم, Ibrāhīm.[/perfectpullquote]

Considered the first among the Patriarchs.
Traditionally the three “patriarchs” of the Jewish people are: Abraham, his son Isaac and Jacob (Isaac’s son) the one who had the 12 sons who became the progenitors of the 12 tribes of Israel.

We are told that Abraham was one of the three sons of Terach, a descendant of Shem, son of Noah. Terach was an idolater, a polytheist, yet our ancestor Abraham was not afraid to “go against” the customs. He “dared,” because he believed in his own Revelation, and today we can confirm that he had been right, thus remaining immortal forever through his children.
His mother, on the other hand, was named Amatlai, and this is recorded in the Talmud (Bava Batra 91a), which lists the otherwise unknown names of many biblical personalities.

3. Husband = Caring

Abraham married Sarah, and when he began life consecrating himself to the ONE GOD, Sarah supported him as his companion, and his strength, teaching and guiding women. This is reported in Jewish tradition (Rashi to Genesis 20, 12).

[perfectpullquote align=”left” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”#4476a5″ class=”” size=”16″]Abraham and Sarah were originally named Abram and Sarai. Abram meant “noble father,” and Sarai “my princess,” as this barren woman’s devotion was exclusively directed to her husband. Later GOD added the Hebrew letter heh (ה) to both their names, making them Abrahm, which is a contraction of words meaning “Father of a multitude (of nations),” and Sarah, which changes its “possessive” form.
The name change represents the “turning point,” the change or maturation of the believer.[/perfectpullquote]

4. Fighter = Strong

After hearing that his nephew Lot had been taken prisoner during a war, Abraham took his men and set out, intending to defeat the enemies “of the righteous,” and free the captives.
He attributed the credit for his feat exclusively to GOD, the Creator, refusing to take for himself any spoils of war (Genesis 14).

5. Tolerant = Peacemaker

Sarah was unable to have children, but as the decades passed, the couple had no one to carry on their legacy. Sarah thus decided to offer her husband her servant, Hagar, of Egyptian descent.
Hagar soon became pregnant with a son, Ishmael, when Abraham was 86 years old (Genesis 16:16). In a way she “united” her lineage with that of the “Arabs,” and that is how Judaism and Christianity became brothers to Islam. So although things seemed to be not going so well, because of the rivalry between Sarah and Hagar, the peoples of the earth were united forever.

6. Hospitable = Generous

He welcomed pilgrims, foreigners who instead turned out to be Angels of the Lord.
Three “men” came and confirming his righteousness and generosity, predicted his greatest blessing: Sarah would give birth within a year (Genesis 18, 10). Always kind to others, even those who seem most vulnerable and unknown to us. A very easy thing is to help the rich, the powerful, perhaps unconsciously even expecting gratitude, while it is saintly to be able to serve the poor. Abraham served them some veal, bread and cream of milk under a tree that put shade on them before they shared the good news.

7. Compassionate = Mediator

He prayed for the people of Sodom, seeking to mediate their just punishment.
From Abraham’s tent, the angels proceeded to Sodom and Gomorrah, where they were tasked with saving Lot and overthrowing the cities, which had become hotbeds of cruelty and crime (Genesis 18).

8. Devoted = Obsequious

He almost sacrificed his son to show his love for GOD and the “Cause.”
Isaac, his and Sarah’s son, was finally born when Abraham was 100 years old (Genesis 21:5). However, when GOD told Abraham to sacrifice his son atop Mount Moria, Abraham obeyed without question or complaint. At the last moment, when Isaac was already bound, the SIord informed him that it was only a test of faith. There was therefore no need to complete the sacrifice. The righteous devotee is always rewarded.

9. Pilgrim = Traveler

By traveling we learn so much, not only about the lands we encounter, but especially about peoples, traditions and cultures.
Abraham and Sarah traveled widely, crossing many lands. Terach moved his family from Ur Kasdim to Charan (Genesis 11, 31). After GOD told Abraham to go to Canaan (and settled in Shechem, Gen 12:6), hunger drove them to Egypt.
They then returned to the Holy Land and settled at Beth El in the south and then moved to Hebron (Gen 13:18). After rescuing his nephew Lot from captivity, they found themselves in Salem (Jerusalem), where they met King Melchizedek, before returning to Hebron.
Having failed to save the people of Sodom, Abraham moved south to Gerar, capital of the Philistines, not far from where he later settled, Beer Sheba (Gen. 21, 34).
When Sarah died, she was in Hebron, and Abraham bought a plot of land to bury her, and that was the burial place of the patriarch “Father of Many,” next to Sarah.

10. Persistent = Tireless

The Scripture tells us that Abraham died at the age of 175 (Gen. 25, 7).
In describing his old age, we are told that Abraham was “old, advanced in days,” and the masters of Judaism report that he had made the most of each of his days. A full life means: maximizing every opportunity for growth and advancement.

After his beloved Sarah died in Hebron, Abraham purchased a cave there in which to bury her. Although it was offered to him as a gift, Abraham insisted on paying generously. According to tradition, this cave, where all the patriarchs and matriarchs (except Rachel) would be buried, was none other than the very place where Adam and Eve rested.