Parshas Lech Lecha

‘Parsha Growth Spurts’

Rabbi Dani Staum

Parshas Lech Lecha

(12:1) “Hashem said to Avrom, ‘Go forth from your land, from your relatives, and from your father’s house, to the land that I will show you.”

Parshas Lech Lecha is one of the few parshios whose title is composed of two words and not one. Rabbeinu Bechaye explains that ‘Lech lecha’ is an expression of ‘lichluch – dirt’. In other words, Hashem instructed Avrohom to go forth from his homeland in order to escape the spiritual filth of his birthplace and family.

Rabbi Shimshon Pincus zt’l noted that Avrohom influenced masses of people to believe in Hashem in a world dominated by polytheism He was not afraid to preach his beliefs, even in the face of tremendous social pressure and intimidation. There was never anyone who possessed greater inner fortitude and courage to withstand the abounding spiritual tempests than Avrohom. Yet, Hashem instructed him to physically leave because even he had to sever his ties with the impurity surrounding him. No one can claim impunity from the effects of their surroundings.

In the special Yehi Ratzon tefillah recited prior to Mussaf of Shabbos Mevorchim we beseech Hashem for a life of blessing, a life of Torah, a life of peace, etc. There are eleven requests for life (corresponding to the eleven months of the year when the prayer is recited, as we do not recite it prior to Tishrei). However, there is one request that we mention twice: “A life that contains in it Fear of Heaven and Fear of Sin… a life that has in it love of Torah and Fear of Heaven.” Why do we repeat our request for Fear of Heaven?

Rav Pam zt’l explained that our first request is for a life that ‘contains in it’ Fear of Heaven. It is a request that we be surrounded by those who Fear Hashem, so that we will be influenced by osmosis. Our second request is that we ourselves achieve Fear of Heaven within our own hearts. If we surround ourselves with good neighbors and friends, hopefully it will affect us positively as well.

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(15:5) “And He (Hashem) took him (Avrohom) outside and said, ‘Gaze, now, towards the heavens, and count the stars if you are able to count them.’ And He said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be’.”

Rabbi Meir Shapiro zt’l explained that Hashem was telling Avrohom “Go out and look up at the sky and count the stars. Even though you are fully aware that you will be unable to count them, start doing it anyway. Reach for the impossible!” Then Hashem added, “So shall your offspring be!”  In other words, Klal Yisroel must always reach for the impossible because Hashem will help them accomplish it.

King Louis XIV of France once asked Blaise Pascal, the great French philosopher of his day, to give him proof of the existence of miracles. Without a moment’s hesitation, Pascal answered, “Why, the Jews, your Majesty; the Jews.”

Rabbi Yaakov Emden zt’l, in the preface to his commentary on the Siddur wrote the following: “No nation has been as pursued as we have. How great have been our difficulties, how overwhelming were our enemies. From the very inception of our history, they have been bent upon utterly destroying and eradicating us. This was due to the hatred that they had for us because they were jealous of us…. (Despite) our many enemies, they were never successful in destroying or eliminating us.  (I swear) by my life that when I ponder these wonders, I deem them to be greater than all of the miracles and wonders which Hashem did for our forefathers in Egypt, in the desert and in Eretz Yisroel. The longer this exile lasts, this miracle receives even greater affirmation and the might and power of G-d.”

Hashem told Avrohom, ‘It is impossible to count the stars, but do it anyway, for that is the symbol of how your children will exist and endure!’

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(16:6) “Avrom said to Sarai, ‘Behold! Your maidservant is in your hand; do as you see fit.’ And Sarai oppressed her, so she fled from her.”

It seems inconceivable that our righteous matriarch Sarah would oppress Hagar?

Rabbi Yisroel Lubachinsky zt’l, the Baranovicher Mashgiach, explained that in truth Sarah continued to treat Hagar exactly how she treated her until now. But the Torah says that once Hagar became pregnant, “Her mistress became lowered in her esteem”. Once Hagar lost respect for Sarah she began to resent Sarah’s authority, and therefore everything Sarah requested of her felt overbearing and oppressive.

As long as a person is willing to ‘shtel tzu’ and be part of something he can deal with the responsibilities that it entails. He will be prepared to deal with any obstacles that arise and will not be daunted by challenges. But when one does not want to be part of something, every little demand and request feels incredibly taxing and overburdening. It can literally become unbearable.

This is true not only in regards to physical matters, but even in regards to Avodas Hashem. The underlying attitude makes all the difference.  It is for that reason that when we recite Shema, the opening statement is a powerful declaration of our complete acceptance of the Yoke of Heaven. Only then can we continue with the acceptance of the mitzvos and remembering the exodus.

(Sources: Rabbeinu Bechaye – introduction to Parshas Lech Lecha; Rav Pinkus – Tiferes Shimshon; Rav Pam – heard in his name; Rabbi Meir Shapiro – Immrei Da’as; Rabbi Yisroel Lubachinsky – heard in his name, the same idea is mentioned by Rabbi Yitzchok Zilberstein in Aleinu L’shabayach)