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Parashat Lech Lecha – 5785
Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites
In our Torah portion, the Torah tells us about the trials that Abraham, our patriarch, underwent. The ‘trials’ were the difficult challenges that God placed before Abraham, the first person to discover his Creator in a generation that was entirely idolatrous.
As the Mishnah states:
“Ten trials Abraham, our forefather, peace be upon him, was tested with, and he withstood all of them – to make known how beloved Abraham, our forefather, peace be upon him, was.”
(Pirkei Avot, Chapter 5)
The first trial opens our portion:
“And the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go forth from your land, from your birthplace, and from your father’s house to the land that I will show you.'”
(Genesis 12:1)
Our Sages explain the words “go forth” as: “Go, for your benefit and for your good.” At that time, Abraham was childless, without wealth, and living in a hostile environment. God, in whom Abraham wholeheartedly believed, promised him that in this new place, he would be blessed with children, wealth, and endless blessings. Not only that, but he would also become influential, able to bless those he wished, and his blessing would come to fruition.
A dream come true! Why, then, is following this directive considered a test of faith? Because this act involves leaving one’s “comfort zone.” A person is deeply attached to their homeland and loves the familiar and known.
Abraham, who had independently discovered God and paid a personal price for his chosen beliefs, could have expected that all this good would come to him without having to embark on a journey into the unknown at the age of seventy-five.
The Maharal, a man of reason and thought, asks: What is the purpose of the test, since God already knows everything? Why is it necessary to test the righteous? He explains that the trial is a practical experience in the “school of life”—the “ground-level” navigation through obstacles and challenges. The purpose of the test is to stand before a mirror and examine oneself: Where am I, and what is my state?
God tested Abraham not to gauge his devotion but to strengthen Abraham’s confidence in his path and abilities. God presented him with all kinds of challenges, from “leaving his comfort zone” to the command to sacrifice his only son, born in his old age. In all these trials, Abraham stood strong, and ultimately, he realized that they were all “for his benefit and pleasure.”
This, then, is the meaning of the Mishnah’s words: “to make known how beloved Abraham was.” To whom? To make it known to Abraham himself, so he would understand the depth of his love for his Creator.
These words are more relevant than ever in our time and with the challenges we face. The Jewish people today, in Israel and around the world, are going through difficult trials. We are grappling with sorrow, loss, and worry. This is the time to learn from Abraham’s faith despite his trials, to strengthen our own confidence in our path and abilities, to reflect on the fact that we are part of a long chain of generations that began with Abraham and reaches all the way to us, and to look forward to brighter days.
