וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֶל־אַבְרָ֔ם לֶךְ־לְךָ֛ מֵאַרְצְךָ֥ וּמִמּֽוֹלַדְתְּךָ֖ וּמִבֵּ֣ית אָבִ֑יךָ אֶל־הָאָ֖רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַרְאֶֽךָּ׃
The LORD said to Abram, “Go forth from your native land and from your father’s house to the land that I will show you.
Rabbi Mordechai Yosef Leiner of Izbica (Poland, 1850-1854), Mei Hashiloach:
Abraham began to search after the source of his life, after he had understood that it was impossible to call the pleasures of this world the essence of real life. In response to this God said to him: ‘Lech Lecha,’ meaning, ‘Go to yourself’. (In Hebrew, the word “Lecha” really means “to yourself”.) Because really all the matters of this (physical) world cannot be called ‘life.’ The essence of life you can find inside yourself.
Abraham began to search after the source of his life, after he had understood that it was impossible to call the pleasures of this world the essence of real life. In response to this God said to him: ‘Lech Lecha,’ meaning, ‘Go to yourself’. (In Hebrew, the word “Lecha” really means “to yourself”.) Because really all the matters of this (physical) world cannot be called ‘life.’ The essence of life you can find inside yourself.
Batya Ellinoy: The opening words of God’s call, “Lekh lekha,” can actually be translated as “Go forth,” “Go to yourself,” or “Go for yourself,” (or, as my 15-year-old self said to my brother at his bar mitzvah, “Go away!”). However one chooses to translate these words, Lekh lekha is all about movement: going inwards or outwards, moving beyond the familiar and comfortable, crossing boundaries and moving into spaces where we can (re)discover our best selves. It is a journey that begins by first pausing to listen and then moving in step with what one hears, thinks, and feels.
This “going forth” into the unknown can be frightening. There are habits, dreams, and connections that may be left behind. It takes courage and support to move away from what is familiar.
Avram ventures into the unknown with a visceral sense of connection to the Source of Life. He recognizes that everyone and everything he will encounter on his voyage issues from this one Source. It is this sense of being held by a secure attachment with the Divine that gives Avram the ability to accept the uncertainty he will experience along the way. Author Joanna Macy writes, “Thank goodness for uncertainty. When we know the future isn’t yet decided, there is room for us to play a role in influencing what happens.” Supported by his relationship to God, Avram is able to embrace uncertainty and to actively participate in the renewal of life.
One of the most powerful aspects of this ancient story is that Lekh lekha is a call to journey for us and for others. As Macy teaches, “In rising to the challenge of playing our best role, we discover something precious that both enriches our lives and adds to the healing of the world.” This is why God promises Avram that he will be “blessed” and a “blessing.” In other words, the work of personal discovery and of liberation go hand in hand.
This “going forth” into the unknown can be frightening. There are habits, dreams, and connections that may be left behind. It takes courage and support to move away from what is familiar.
Avram ventures into the unknown with a visceral sense of connection to the Source of Life. He recognizes that everyone and everything he will encounter on his voyage issues from this one Source. It is this sense of being held by a secure attachment with the Divine that gives Avram the ability to accept the uncertainty he will experience along the way. Author Joanna Macy writes, “Thank goodness for uncertainty. When we know the future isn’t yet decided, there is room for us to play a role in influencing what happens.” Supported by his relationship to God, Avram is able to embrace uncertainty and to actively participate in the renewal of life.
One of the most powerful aspects of this ancient story is that Lekh lekha is a call to journey for us and for others. As Macy teaches, “In rising to the challenge of playing our best role, we discover something precious that both enriches our lives and adds to the healing of the world.” This is why God promises Avram that he will be “blessed” and a “blessing.” In other words, the work of personal discovery and of liberation go hand in hand.
Henri Nouwen: The farther the outward journey takes you, the deeper the inward journey must be