Lech-Lecha – A Lesson from our Forefathers

By Rabbi Ezra Friedman

This week, we begin a new saga in the first book of the Torah, the lives and journeys of our Forefathers, Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaacov. The Torah goes into incredible detail about the family background, the voyages, and challenges of their lives. It is interesting to note that the first two Parshiot (Torah Portions) of Sefer Breishit spread across almost 1500 years, while the story of the Avot, which is recorded over a large number of Parshiot, covers about 200 years. Why would the Torah run through such a large part of history so fast and then spend more than 80 percent of the book discussing three families? The answer is an elemental understanding of our holy book- it is not a history book. When the Torah decides to go into detail about something, its’ purpose is not to give us a history lesson, but rather to teach us a very important lesson. It is meant to highlight the lesson and virtues that we are meant to learn from every detail that the Torah tells us. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the lessons to be learnt from these intriguing and powerful journeys.

Throughout all the chapters discussing Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaacov, our Sages reiterate the same expression, “מעשי אבות סימן לבנים”, the literal translation being “the actions of our fathers are signs to the sons”. The idea behind this theme is that every event, story, and feeling described regarding our Forefathers, is a message and guide to the generations following it. According to our Sages, this message is the main purpose for the Torah’s narrative of the Forefathers. A deeper message from this concept is that seeing an action or emotion through our Forefathers, teaches us about grasping ideals, feelings, and life lessons. Judaism is full of powerful dreams and ideas about giving, dedication, and love. However, to the simple man, these ideas seem unreal or unattainable. The lives of our ancestors make those beautiful dreams come alive. When we learn about the many trials and tribulations that these righteous individuals were faced with, we realize that years later we can approach the challenges of the Jewish nation, with the same qualities that our Forefathers embodied. Whether it be Avraham‘s courage to stand up for monotheism, while isolated and mocked by a world of paganism or Yaacov‘s perseverance to continue to strengthen and lead his family during their relocation to Egypt. This idea is imperative to our daily challenges.

As mentioned earlier, the vast learning we can all receive from our Forefathers is great. Let us use look at an example from our introduction to Avraham Avinu, the verse reads (Breishit 12, 1-3):

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְקֹוָק֙ אֶל־אַבְרָ֔ם לֶךְ־לְךָ֛ מֵאַרְצְךָ֥ וּמִמּֽוֹלַדְתְּךָ֖ וּמִבֵּ֣ית אָבִ֑יךָ אֶל־הָאָ֖רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַרְאֶֽךָּ:  וְאֶֽעֶשְׂךָ֙ לְג֣וֹי גָּד֔וֹל וַאֲבָ֣רֶכְךָ֔ וַאֲגַדְּלָ֖ה שְׁמֶ֑ךָ וֶהְיֵ֖ה בְּרָכָֽה:  וַאֲבָֽרֲכָה֙ מְבָ֣רְכֶ֔יךָ וּמְקַלֶּלְךָ֖ אָאֹ֑ר וְנִבְרְכ֣וּ בְךָ֔ כֹּ֖ל מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת הָאֲדָמָֽה:

Now Hashem said to Avram, “Get yourself out of your country, away from your birthplace and away from your father’s house, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make of you a great nation, I will bless you, and I will make your name great; and you are to be a blessing.

According to all opinions, Hashem’s commandment to Avraham to travel to the land of Canaan was a test of Avraham’s faith. However, as we clearly see, Hashem promises Avraham much wealth and prosperity for doing so. Various commentators ask why this was considered such a test of faith if Avraham was promised luxury and wealth. The answer lies within a few simple words of a verse just adjacent to the ones above (Breishit 12, 4):

וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ אַבְרָ֗ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבֶּ֤ר אֵלָיו֙ יְקֹוָ֔ק

So Avram went, as Hashem had said to him.

Avraham, even after all the promises, was able to focus and follow his journey not for reward. He did so because he was told too, he followed Hashem‘s directions because he had a deep understanding and faith in Hashem, regardless of the outcome. Avraham stood up to the challenge and succeeded. We too, can learn to try to funnel out all of the gain and fame we want to have from our deeds and just do good because it’s the right thing to do. We learn from Avraham that being truly righteous sprouts from our willingness to do Hashem’s will without ulterior motives.

These upcoming weeks are a beautiful time to sit with our families and friends around the table and witness these special events in history. Whether you’re seven or seventy the stories of Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaacov can be appreciated by anyone, as the lessons can be applied for eternity. So listen, learn, and make yourself a part of the story.