Friday Letter

In commenting upon this week’s Parasha, the rabbis recognized several similarities that exist between the opening verses of Lech Lecha, which recount God’s initial call to Abraham to leave home, and that section of Parashat Vayera which records the events leading up to the Akeidat Yitzhak-the Binding of Isaac.

Most obvious of these similarities is the fact that the phrase, “Lech Lecha” appears in both parshiyot. Normally, such verbal duplication would not be considered significant. Identical words and phrases are quite common in the Bible. What is significant, the rabbis tell us, is the realization that these are the only two places in the Bible in which the specific phrase, “Lech Lecha,” actually occurs. Understandably, one would be inclined to assign greater importance to Abraham’s adherence to the command of the Akeidah. The rabbis, however, point out in Bereshit Rabbah that since these are indeed the only two places in which “Lech Lecha” occurs, “Ein Anu Yodim Eizo Haviva…”, it is impossible to determine which of Abraham’s deed’s was more precious in the eyes of God – the willingness to leave home or the willingness to sacrifice Isaac.

An even more striking similarity is the stylistic use of successive qualifications to emphasize the difficulty of both commands. In our narrative Abraham is told: “Lech Lecha Meiartzecha  - leave your native land; Mimoladetcha – your relatives(Midrashic interpretation); U’mibeit Avicha – and your immediate family.”  Beginning with a less personal attachment and progressing to a more personal attachment has the result of compounding the decision to leave. In the story of the Akeida, the patriarch’s feelings are stretched to the limit with each development of the command as God tells Abraham: Kach Na et Bincha – take your son; et Yichidcha – your only son; Asher Ahavta – whom you love; et Yitzchak – Isaac.”  Initially, this command is very general, without specifying whether Isaac or Ishmael is intended. By the end of the command, however, there can be no doubt that it is indeed the son for whom Abraham had waited so long. Because the elaboration found in both commands made the decision to comply that much more difficult, the rabbis stress that Abraham’s reward was that much greater, since he was rewarded for every word spoken.

In addition, the rabbis realize that perhaps the most significant similarity  between the two parshiyot is the fact that the commands are ambiguous and incomplete. In the first command, God tells Abraham, Lech Lecha, to leave his country, his relatives and his family, and to go El Haaretz Asher Ar’eka – to a place God will eventually show him, to a land whose name is not even immediately made known to him. In the command of the Akeida, God instructs Abraham to take his son, his only son, whom he loves, V’Lech Lecha- to go to the land of Moriah to offer Isaac as a sacrifice, Al Echad Heharim Asher Omar Eilecha – upon one of the mountains which God will eventually tell him, again a place which has no particular designation.

As much as Abraham is to be admired for his compliance with commands that are emotionally and psychologically difficult, his determination to do so in the face of the indefiniteness and uncertainty of the situation is an even greater achievement. To paraphrase Midrash Tanchuma, embarking on a journey in which the identity of the goal is withheld, calls for unqualified devotion. As for the binding of Isaac, we must agree with the Biblical scholar, Ephraim Speiser, that the greatness of the Akeida is the fact that Abraham maintained confidence in a promise, even when everything contained in that promise appeared to be lost.

In thinking about the message of Lech Lecha, both here in our sidra and in the Akeida, I can’t help but believe that there is a great parallel between its significance and the significance of the message of the presidential elections which our country just experienced. It goes without saying that the election of Barack Obama is a turning point for the United States of America. Although he never lived to see it, we can take pride as citizens of this great nation that Martin Luther King, Jr. was right when he said that there would come a time when people would not be judged by the color of their skins, but by their merit.

I can’t help but wonder, however, that when Obama started on his quest for the presidency, his take on what would await him if he were successful had to be very different than how he views it now. Our nation has changed greatly in two years. Our economic, social and political standing both here and abroad has certainly changed. If ever there was a state of uncertainty and indefiniteness about the state of America, it is now. If ever there was a question about a promise that may appear to be lost, it is now.

And yet, I would hope that Barack Obama, like Abraham, will be able to maintain his confidence and determination in the face of uncertainty and indefiniteness. That in spite of a promise that might appear to be lost, he nonetheless, has the courage to continue to believe in the promise of this country. And that in listening to his “Lech Lecha”, although the steps that lie ahead of him may be difficult, that in fact, each one may be more and more trying, he will nevertheless, help us journey together to a better future.

Shabbat Shalom!