(1) The Holy One said to Abram, “Go forth from your land, from your birthplace, and from your parent's house to the land that I will show you.
With Source 1, we begin the Abraham and Sarah stories--as well as the Torah portion Lech Lecha.
Guiding Questions
1} What do you see as the most important aspect of the verse? Why?
2} Abram's home is referred to in 3 different ways--why do you think that is? What is unique about each one?
3} Why do you think Abram and Sarai have to leave home in order to begin their mission?
(19) For I have singled [Abraham] out, that he will teach his children and his descendants to keep the way of the Holy One, by doing what is just and right, in order that God may bring about for Abraham what God has promised him.
In Source #2, we learn more about Abraham and Sarah's mission and the nature of the covenant/brit.
Guiding Questions:
1} What is the essence of Abraham's mission?
2} As their spiritual descendants and as Jews, we inherit the covenant that Abraham and Sarah made with God. What are some ways that you can fulfill the brit?
(טז) הוּא הָיָה אוֹמֵר, לֹא עָלֶיךָ הַמְּלָאכָה לִגְמֹר, וְלֹא אַתָּה בֶן חוֹרִין לִבָּטֵל מִמֶּנָּה.
(16) R' Tarfon used to say: It is not your responsibility to finish the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.
Source #3:
1} How would you reword Rabbi Tarfon's teaching into your own words?
2} How does it apply to what we have learned about the brit?
"I want you, says God to Abraham, to be different. Not for the sake of being different, but for the sake of starting something new: a religion that will not worship power and the symbols of power -- for that is what idols really were and are. I want you, says God, to "teach his children and his descendants to keep the way of the Holy One, by doing what is just and right" (Gen. 18:19).
--Rabbi Jonathan Sacks