“Lech lecha” – “Get yourself” or “Go, you!” or “Go forth” is from the first line of this week’s Torah portion:
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֶל־אַבְרָ֔ם לֶךְ־לְךָ֛ מֵאַרְצְךָ֥ וּמִמּֽוֹלַדְתְּךָ֖ וּמִבֵּ֣ית אָבִ֑יךָ אֶל־הָאָ֖רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַרְאֶֽךָּ׃
The Eternal said to Abram, “Go forth from your native land and from your father’s house to the land that I will show you.” – Genesis 12:1
As often happens, the ambiguity of translation gives us lots of room for interpretation. This is a story about a leap of faith, about a journey, about a dream. What does it say to you, in this particular year, in your particular situation?
Some words from our online darshanim [preachers]:
The Making of a Covenant with Both Men and Women by Rabbi Ellen M.Umansky
“To Boldly Go:” on Lech Lecha and Star Trek – Rabbi Rachel Barenblat
Smashing Idols – Rabbi Dan Fink
Sojourners for Justice – Rabbi Nina Mizrahi
Sarah: Blinded by her outward appearance… – Rabbi Sylvia Rothschild
A Letter from Abram by Rabbi Bruce Kadden
