Lech Lecha
Genesis 12:1 -17:27
Précis: This parasha, “get you up” or “go yourself” (lech lecha) begins with “the call” of Abram to leave his home and depart for a new land. At God’s command, Abram and Sarai journey to Canaan. When famine strikes, they travel to Egypt, where Sarai is taken into Pharaoh’s harem after Abram calls her his “sister,” but she escapes without harm. They then leave Egypt, with Abram now a rich man. To avoid family squabbles, Abram separates himself from his nephew Lot (who moves to Sodom), but Abram is forced to rescue Lot and reaches a negotiated settlement with the locals. God promises Abram an heir. Because Sarai is barren, she offers Abram her servant (Hagar), and Hagar gives birth to a son, Ishmael. Abram is then promised a son through Sarai, to be his true heir. Abram’s name is changed to Abraham, and Sarai’s to Sarah, in recognition of the new Covenant with God, which is then symbolized by circumcision.
Gen. 12:1 “And Adonai said to Abram, ‘Go forth from your land and your birthplace and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.’
Perhaps it is overused, but the “journey” as a metaphor for life persists because it is appropriate. These days, we often speak of our own “Jewish journey” and so it can come as something of a shock to read about the very first “Jewish journey.” Abram’s Jewish journey is undertaken without the angst and introspection which seems part of the modern counterpart.
God’s command to Abram comes in two words: “Lech lecha.” Biblical Hebrew suggests that this is a command in the imperative form (hence the translation “go forth”). But we can also translate the phrase as “take yourself.” It places stress on the recipient, who is to understand that this is not a matter of choice and is not about some unimportant request. Abram is on notice that he is about to undertake something of significant importance. He does not question, he does.
As usual, the fact that two words are used when one would have been sufficient did not escape notice of the Sages. They suggest that the two word phrase should be understood as something like “go for yourself” or “go for your own good.”
In a more modern interpretation, we could see God telling Abram to leave his "comfort zone" (his land, his birthplace, and father’s house) to an unspecified destination which might offer the potential of the utmost importance. Our own Jewish journeys, like Abram’s, require us to leave the comfort of the way we live and accept the challenges of new thoughts, beliefs, or practices. We need to be willing to go to a different “place” if our journey is to continue. Abram left his comfort zone and by doing so, a nation was created. While we may not be creating new nations, our choices to proceed on our own Jewish journeys can be inspired by Abram’s conviction and faith. That’s what makes the metaphor timeless.
