Parasha Lech Licha
CARLSBAD, California — We started reading the Torah for the new cycle on Simchat Torah. The first portion, Genesis had some sobering sections, including the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden among others. Last week we read Noah, that likewise had a difficult message for all of us, as we recounted the destruction of humanity and the animal kingdom, save for Noah and his family in the Ark. Finally, we come to our portion, Lech Licha, a portion that concerns itself with the Father and Mother of the Jewish people, Abraham and Sarah. The Rebbe comments that this makes this portion particularly joyful!
The narrative begins when G-d communicates with Avraham telling him to leave his father’s house and go to what would ultimately be the Promised Land. Demonstrating faith and alacrity Avraham and Sarah (the original Jewish power couple) pack up and move. Typically, a move of this nature would carry a heavy price in that it would negatively impact one’s safety and security (physical and financial), as well as one’s ability to build a family. G-d promised the couple that they will gain by making this move. That is why the portion begins, “Go for you,” meaning for your benefit.
Throughout the portion we see Abraham and Sarah undergo tests, all of which they overcame. We see, for the very first time, that Abraham is identified as an Ivri, a Hebrew, which Rashi explains as meaning he came from the other side of the river meaning he was from a different place and that he had a different approach.
What was different about Avraham and Sarah?
The commentaries explain that whereas there had certainly been righteous people before their time, our Father and Mother, were activists. They proactively reached out to others to influence them working to bring them to believe and serve the One, true G-d. They were not merely interested in their own spiritual wellbeing. They understood their role differently than other righteous individuals. They understood that G-d gives us feet to be able to move around and inspire those we come in contact with. G-d gives us a mouth, not only to fill with food, but to express G-dly ideas and to articulate the Truth regarding this world and its purpose.
This was revolutionary! Two people, through their devotion and diligence, literally changed the world demonstrating an individual’s ability to make lasting change that would positively impact the entire human race.
We see all of the above when we read the Torah. However, there is a lot we can learn from what is not written as well. We need to read between the lines.
Our portion begins when Avraham and Sarah were already older people. The Torah does not discuss their childhood or young adulthood at all. We are presented with a mature couple who are completely dedicated to the One, true G-d as a fait accompli. Midrashim do talk about their earlier lives, but not the written Torah.
We therefore will naturally ask, “How did Avraham and Sarah reach these spiritual heights?” There was no revealed divine intervention. The conclusion we must arrive at is that they came to their guiding principles through using their own devices. Their own observations and intellect led them to the point where they became vessels worthy to receive communications from the Creator.
Avraham and Sarah are our parents. Just like our own parents leave us a legacy this is true when we speak of our Jewish Patriarchs and Matriarchs. We have been endowed with the ability to make ourselves into vessels worthy of a revealed connection with G-d! In addition, we have been bequeathed the ability to influence others and inspire them to join us in the protective shadow of G-d’s Presence. Indeed, we can change the world!
Wishing everyone a happy and HEALTHY Shabbos!
*
Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort is Director of Coastal Chabads and Chabad at La Costa. Rabbi Eilfort welcomes readers’ comments and questions and may be reached at RabbiE@ChabadatLaCosta.com.
What a superb retelling of an inspirational story.