Parsha Overview

Ten generations have passed since Noach. Man has descended spiritually. In the year 1948 from Creation, Avram is born. By observing the world, Avram comes to recognize G-d’s existence, and thus merits G-d appearing to him. At the beginning of this week’s Torah portion, G-d tells Avram to leave his land, his relatives and his father's house and travel to an unknown land where G-d will make him into a great nation. Avram leaves, taking with him his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, their servants, and those whom they converted to faith in G-d. When they reach the land of Canaan, G-d appears to Avram and tells him that this is the land that He will give to his descendants.

A famine ensues and Avram is forced to relocate to Egypt to find food. Realizing that his wife’s beauty would cause his death at the hand of the Egyptians, Avram asks her to say that she is his sister. Sarai is taken to Pharaoh, but G‑d afflicts Pharaoh and his court with severe plagues and she is released unmolested. Avram returns to Eretz Yisrael (Canaan) with much wealth given to him by the Egyptians. During a quarrel over grazing rights between their shepherds, Avram decides to part ways with his nephew Lot. Lot chooses to live in the rich but corrupt city of Sodom in the fertile plain of the Jordan. A war breaks out between the kings of the region and Sodom is defeated. Lot is taken captive. Together with a handful of his converts, Avram rescues Lot, miraculously overpowering vastly superior forces, but Avram demurs from accepting any of the spoils of the battle.

In a prophetic covenant, G-d reveals to Avram that his offspring will be exiled to a strange land where they will be oppressed for 400 years, after which they will emerge with great wealth and return to Eretz Yisrael, their irrevocable inheritance. Sarai is barren and gives Hagar, her Egyptian hand-maiden, to Avram in the hope that she will provide them with a child. Hagar becomes arrogant when she discovers that she is pregnant. Sarai deals harshly with her, and Hagar flees. On the instruction of an angel, Hagar returns to Avram and gives birth to Yishmael. The weekly portion concludes with G-d commanding Avram to circumcise himself and his offspring throughout the generations as a Divine covenant. G-d changes Avram’s name to Avraham, and Sarai’s name to Sarah. Hashem promises Avraham a son, Yitzchak, despite Avraham being ninety-nine years old and Sarah ninety. On that day, Avraham circumcises himself, Yishmael and his entire household.

Parsha Insights

A Life’s Journey

“Go for yourself…” (12:1)

When Hashem instructs Avraham, “Lech lecha mei’artzecha u’mi’moladetecha u’mi’beit avicha — Go forth from your land, from your birthplace, and from your father’s house” — it is more than just a geographical relocation. This command represents the quintessential journey of every Jew and indeed every human being who seeks a deeper relationship with the Divine. It’s a call to leave behind not only physical surroundings but also the psychological and spiritual constraints of the past.

“Lech lecha” can be read as “go to yourself.” It’s an invitation to discover one’s unique mission and identity by moving beyond the familiar patterns of life. For Avraham, this meant leaving the idolatrous environment of his father’s home and the cultural norms of his birthplace. For us, it might mean stepping out of our comfort zones, questioning old assumptions, or embracing new spiritual challenges that lead us closer to our true selves – and to Hashem.

Avraham’s journey was not just a one-time event but a continuous process. It is the paradigm of our lifelong journey of “Lech lecha.” At different stages of life, we must leave behind what we’ve outgrown and move toward a higher calling. This journey is deeply individual — no two people have the same path. The courage to follow that call is the hallmark of Avraham Avinu and the legacy he bequeathed to us.

The journey is not just about leaving; it’s about arriving at a deeper understanding of Hashem’s presence in our lives. Each step Avraham took brought him closer not only to the physical land of Canaan but to a clearer vision of his relationship with God. In our own lives, the “Lech lecha” moments are those times when we move beyond the known and discover deeper layers of faith and understanding.

In conclusion, the call of Lech Lecha is timeless. It teaches us that spiritual growth is a journey of leaving and arriving, of moving beyond the familiar to find our true selves. Through Avraham’s example, we learn that every step taken in faith is a step towards discovering the divine purpose within us.

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