Parashat Lech Lecha 

The Shabbat Torah reading is divided into seven sections called aliyot (meaning, “go up”), since for each aliya someone "goes up" to make a bracha on the Torah.

First Aliya: Avram is instructed to leave Charan and travel 400 miles to the land of Canaan, upon arriving they are forced to leave Canaan due to a local famine and travel to Mitzrayim to search for food.

Second Aliya: Avram plans for his encounter with the amorality of Egypt. His and Sarah's confrontation with Pharaoh is detailed. Avram and Sarah return home.

Third Aliya: Avram separates from his nephew/ brother in law Lot, due to Lot’s defection from teachings of Avram. Hashem reassures Avram that he will have children, who will inherit the Land and carry on his work.

Fourth Aliya: Avram is forced to rescue Lot from captivity. In so doing, he adjusts the balance of power in Canaan and is recognized by other political leaders for his military and moral strength. His encounter with Malki Tzedek is in stark contrast to his confrontation with the King of Sodom.

Fifth Aliya: Hashem again reassures Avram that he will have genetic children who would be as numerous as the stars in the sky.

Sixth Aliya: The monumental "Covenant between the Halves" takes place, during which the next 430 years of Jewish history is revealed. Avram is 70 years old. Sarai instructs Avram to marry Hagar. The story of her conflict with Sarai, her encounter with an Angel, and the birth of Yishmael in 2034 is told. Following the birth of Yishmael, Avram’s name is changed to Avraham.

Seventh Aliya: Avraham is presented with the mitzvah of circumcision. Sarai's name is changed to Sarah, Hashem assures Avraham he and Sarah will have a son called Yitzchak. It is the year 2047 and Avraham circumcised himself, Yishmael and the entire household. (www.torah.org)

Later in the Torah, it is written, “You shall love Hashem your G-d with all your heart and all your soul.” Another way of putting this could be, we all must make people love G-d just like Avraham our father did. How can we do this? How can you express love for your Creator with all of your experiences? You first need to ask yourself, “What do I have and what can I use to show G-d that I love him?”

Avraham is on a spiritual journey through life. He notices that the world is full of wrongdoings and pain. While others just ignore this, he takes the time to wonder who is in charge. That’s when G-d calls Avraham, saying, "I am the Guide and the master of the universe." Avraham recognizes G-d and understands that it is we humans who must correct the wrongdoings in this world. G-d is not going to do this for us!

An ancient Midrash says this understanding makes G-d desire Avraham like a king desires his new bride. That’s the moment G-d says to Avraham, "Lech lecha,” or, “Go to yourself." (www.myjewishlearning.com)

When all Jews reach this understanding—when we see the world’s brokenness and take personal responsibility for helping to fix it, like Avraham our father did and like we do every day in NWP—then “it will be self-evident that Avraham is the source of blessing in the world, and that the biggest blessing a person will be able to give their neighbor will be, ‘You should be like Avraham.’ This is the epitome of blessing!” (www.torah.org)

Shabbat Shalom, to a more peaceful world!

Karin