Parshas Lech Lecha 2025 (Copy)

After this mighty man (Avraham) was weaned, he began to explore and think. Though he was a child, he began to think [incessantly] throughout the day and night, wondering: How is it possible for the sphere to continue to revolve without having anyone controlling it? Who is causing it to revolve? Surely, it does not cause itself to revolve.
He had no teacher, nor was there anyone to inform him. Rather, he was mired in Ur Kasdim among the foolish idolaters. His father, mother, and all the people [around him] were idol worshipers, and he would worship with them. [However,] his heart was exploring and [gaining] understanding.
Ultimately, he appreciated the way of truth and understood the path of righteousness through his accurate comprehension. He realized that there was one God who controlled the sphere, that He created everything, and that there is no other God among all the other entities. He knew that the entire world was making a mistake. What caused them to err was their service of the stars and images, which made them lose awareness of the truth.
Abraham was forty years old when he became aware of his Creator. When he recognized and knew Him, he began to formulate replies to the inhabitants of Ur Kasdim and debate with them, telling them that they were not following a proper path.
He broke their idols and began to teach the people that it is fitting to serve only the God of the world. To Him [alone] is it fitting to bow down, sacrifice, and offer libations, so that the people of future [generations] would recognize Him. [Conversely,] it is fitting to destroy and break all the images, lest all the people err concerning them, like those people who thought that there are no other gods besides these [images].
When he overcame them through the strength of his arguments, the king desired to kill him. He was [saved through] a miracle and left for Charan. [There,] he began to call in a loud voice to all people and inform them that there is one God in the entire world and it is proper to serve Him. He would go out and call to the people, gathering them in city after city and country after country, until he came to the land of Canaan - proclaiming [God's existence the entire time] - as [Genesis 21:33] states: "And He called there in the name of the Lord, the eternal God."
When the people would gather around him and ask him about his statements, he would explain [them] to each one of them according to their understanding, until they turned to the path of truth. Ultimately, thousands and myriads gathered around him. These are the men of the house of Abraham.
He planted in their hearts this great fundamental principle, composed texts about it, and taught it to Isaac, his son. Isaac also taught others and turned [their hearts to God]. He also taught Jacob and appointed him as a teacher.

The narrative now focuses on the history of Terach’s family. The following are the descendants of Terach: Terach was the father of Abram, Nachor, and Haran; and Haran was the father of Lot and of two daughters.

Haran died during the lifetime of his father Terach, in the land of his birth in Ur Kasdim.

על פני תרח אביו IN THE PRESENCE OF HIS FATHER TERAH — meaning during his father’s lifetime (Genesis Rabbah 38:13). The Midrashic explanation is that he died through his father. Terach had accused his son Avram before Nimrod of having smashed his idols to pieces, and he cast him into a fiery furnace. Haran waited and said to himself, “If Avram proves triumphant I will be on his side; if Nimrod wins I shall be on his”. When Avram was saved they said to Haran, “Whose side are you on?” Haran replied, “I am on Avram’s side”. They therefore cast him into the fiery furnace and he was burnt to death. It is to this that the name of the place Ur-Kasdim (fire of the Chaldees) alludes (Genesis Rabbah 38:13).

Keep the day of Shabbos to sanctify it, as Hashem, your God, commanded you.

Honor your father and your mother as Hashem, your God, commanded you; in order that you live long and in order that you have it good on the land that Hashem, your God, is giving you.

As Rabbi Ḥanina said Greater is one who is commanded to do a mitzva and performs it than one who is not commanded to do a mitzva and performs it.

Rav Yosef, who was blind, said: At first I would say: If someone would tell me that the halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda, who says: A blind person is exempt from fulfilling the mitzvot, I would make a festive day for the rabbis, as I am not commanded and yet I perform the mitzvot. This means my reward is very great. Now that I have heard that which Rabbi Ḥanina says: Greater is one who is commanded to do a mitzva and performs it than one who is not commanded to do a mitzva and performs it, on the contrary: If someone would tell me that the halakha is not in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda, and a blind person is obligated in mitzvot, I would make a festive day for the rabbis.

With ten trials was Abraham, our father (may he rest in peace), tried, and he withstood them all

1) Hashem said to Avram, Go from your land, from your birthplace, and from your father’s house, [and go] to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you and make your name great; and you will be a blessing [and you will be blessed].

2) I will bless those who bless you, and he who curses you, I will curse; and through you [and because of you], will be blessed all the families of the earth.

3) Avram went as Hashem had told him, and Lot went with him. Avram was seventy-five years old when he left Charan.

The Torah writes the verse for yet another reason.

Inasmuch as Hashem had promised Abraham a number of rewards if he would fulfil His command, the average reader might assume that Abraham was primarily motivated by the promises Hashem had made to him. The Torah wants us to know that the reason Abraham left his home and his father was because Hashem had said so to him, not because of any secondary considerations such as the promise of becoming a man of great prominence.