Reward is flawed

Torah teachings seem to be replete with the notion of reward. The concept of reward (sachar) and punishment is one of the pillars of Judaism. We’re taught that, “Today is for performance of the divine command, tomorrow for receiving reward.” G-d says to Abraham, “I am shielding you, your reward [sachar] is exceedingly great.” (Genesis 15:1).

Our sages confirm that Abraham qualified for his reward. “There were 10 generations, from Noah until Abraham, to show [G-d’s] patience, for all the generations angered and came, until Abraham our father came and received the reward of them all.” (Ethics of the Fathers 5:3).

But something is a bit concerning about all this reward stuff. It conjures up images, at least in my mind, of an offer of R1 000 for finding Tuffy, an adorable miniature schnauzer, who has gone missing in the neighbourhood, or of $1 000 for apprehending Hooligan Hank, who has been robbing banks in the Wild West, and is wanted dead or alive.

The problem with these images is their inherent optionality. An owner can offer a reward if he or she so desires, and a passerby can respond if he or she opts to do so. There’s no requirement to offer rewards. Nor is there any requirement to go after obtaining them.

Does it make sense to think that an essential pillar of Judaism is that G-d offers us an option to get a reward, and we have the option to respond? Is it an admirable theory that today is about taking advantage of options to be rewarded, and tomorrow is about enjoying those rewards?

The 10 generations preceding Abraham thought so. And in so thinking, they approached G-d as reward seeking opportunists. And that upset Him.

Abraham was the exact opposite. He understood that the relationship between G-d and man isn’t reward based at all. It’s commitment based. Having a good grasp of Hebrew – and of G-d – he understood that an accurate translation of sachar isn’t reward at all, but compensation, wages, salary. This is clear from the Biblical verse that says, “A hired worker’s wage [sachar] shall not remain with you until the next morning.” (Leviticus 19:13).

G-d is looking for hired workers who are contracted and committed. He commits to paying them; they commit to doing the work. G-d wants all His creatures to be looked after, including Tuffy, and all the wicked to be destroyed, including Hooligan Hank. But He’s not looking for volunteers. He’s looking to make a binding contract in a serious business arrangement.

Abraham was willing to sign that contract. And he signed for us, his descendants, as well.

The greatness of Abraham and his descendants is the realisation that the reward that all his predecessors were seeking wasn’t only a mistranslation of the Hebrew, but a flawed misunderstanding of our true purpose in life of being the fully committed staff of the global business called G-d & Co.