 Torah Thoughts
This week we read the Torah portion
"Lech Lecha" (Genesis 12-17). “Lech
Lecha” contains 126 verses and one positive commandment,
that Abraham’s male descendants be circumcised on the eighth day.
The words for which the portion is named, "Lech
Lecha" introduced G-d's command to Abram to leave his birthplace
and wander, in accordance with G-d's will, to some mysterious destination.
The words “Lech Lecha” can be understood in
a number of different ways. Simply translated, it is a poetic repetition
emphasizing the exhortation to go. But the word "Lecha" is most
commonly used in Hebrew to mean "for you" or "to you".
Indeed RaShI (Rabbi Shelomo Yitzchaki 1040-1105) quotes the Talmudic
explanation that here the word means "for you", i.e. leaving all
that you are familiar with in this place will be beneficial to you. G-d was
testing Abram's faith. This is indeed one of the ten trials that Abraham
endured- did he have the strength to leave his home and all that was familiar
to him? Did he trust that this unknowable Deity would provide for him and
protect him?
The ten trials to which Abraham was subjected,
began with leaving his home and concluded (according to Maimonides' sequence)
with the order to take his beloved son Isaac and offer him to G-d. In the
latter trial the phrase "Lech Lecha” (see Genesis 22:2) is also
used.
A number of our great rabbis discuss the concept of a
test. We believe that G-d is Omniscient, all-knowing. If so, didn't G-d
know that Abraham would succeed? Why did He have to subject Abraham to such
anguish? There are a number of approaches to resolving this problem. They
are really all rooted in a statement of our Sages explaining "Lech
Lecha". G-d says "I will make known your nature in the world."
One purpose of Abraham's tests was to reveal to the
world the way in which a great person deals with adversity. Abraham was to
serve as a role-model for humanity experiencing crisis.
On a deeper level, G-d was telling Abraham, "I will
reveal your true nature, your potential, in this world of actuality."
It is only through challenge adversity that the hidden essence of a person is
revealed. "Lech Lecha"
therefore means "Go to you". Your journey throughout your life is
ultimately to reach one destination- you. The challenges humans confront
are there to help actualize the tremendous potential buried deep within each
soul. What value and meaning lies in having an unused latent musical
talent? In order for that gift to be meaningful, the potential musician must
pick up an instrument and confront the challenge.
When each of us faces adversity, we should remember
that G-d is helping us on our journey to self-actualization. Each challenge
uncovers another layer of our essence. Our Creator contrives the
circumstances of our lives. He truly knows our limitations and our potential
and grants us opportunities to reach our selves.
HAFTARA
Isaiah 40:27-41:16. The prophet Isaiah makes a
reference (40:2) to the journey of Abraham, describing how G-d awoke him in
the East and how Abraham proclaimed G-d's righteousness to the nations he
passed on his journey. Abraham's journey towards G-d was one delineated by
trials and tribulations. Abraham's faith in G-d's righteousness never
faltered. It is this faith that serves as a beacon of light to the
nations of the world to this very day. The prophet encourages us,
Abraham's descendants, to follow in the patriarch's footsteps by facing
the vicissitudes of history with courage and resolve.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Baruch Price
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