Parashat Lekh Lekha (Genesis 12:1-Genesis 17:27) פָּרָשַׁת לֶךְ לְךָ
SYNOPSIS:
Parashat Lekh Lekha contains five sidrot [order, part]. The first deals with Abram's migration to Canaan, temporary stay in Egypt, and separation from Lot; the second, the war and the rescue of Lot; the third, the pact and promise that Abram's descendants will inherit Canaan; the fourth, the birth of Ishmael; and the fifth, the covenant of circumcision, the changing of names, and the revelation of the birth of Isaac.
First Sidra՚ (Gen. 12:1-13:18):
(Abram's migration to Canaan, temporary stay in Egypt, and separation from Lot.)
The parasha opens with Abram's [אַבְרָם - exalted father] call from YHWH, "Go you forth from your land and from your kindred and from your father's house; to the land that I will show you" (Gen. 12:1). YHWH promises Abram that He will make him into a great nation and bless him. YHWH tells Abram, "And I will bless those that bless you, and curse those that curse you" (Gen. 12:3).
Abram takes with him Sarai his wife, Lot his nephew, and the souls he made in Ḥaran (possibly converts) and heads out for the Land of Canaan. Abram was seventy five years old when he set out for Canaan. When Abram arrives in Canaan he first settles in the vicinity of Shekhem, and there YHWH promises Abram that He will give this land to his descendants. Abram builds an altar to act as a symbol of YHWH's promise. Abram continues his journeys through the Land of Canaan, pitches his tent near Beth El and builds an altar; calling upon the name of YHWH. He then continues his journey, going further south.
Sometime latter there is famine in the land. Egypt is not affected by the famine, so Abram heads for Egypt. As they approach Egypt, Abram fears that when the Egyptians see Sarai's beauty they will take her and kill him. Abram therefore tells her to say that she is his sister so no harm will befall him. However, when they arrive in Egypt Pharaoh hears about Sarai's beauty and she is taken into his house. For the sake of Sarai, Pharaoh treats Abram well giving him life-stock and servants as presents.
YHWH sends plagues against Pharaoh and his House because of Sarai. Pharaoh realizes the reason why the plagues were sent against his household, he calls for Abram and complains, "What is this that you have done to me; why did you not tell me, that she is your wife" (Gen. 12:18). Pharaoh returns Sarai to Abram and deports them with all their possessions. Abram, Sarai and Lot return to Canaan settling down once again near Beth El.
Abram had become very wealthy in cattle, silver and gold, and so had Lot. Strife soon breaks out over grazing rights between Abram's and Lot's herdsmen. In order to keep peace in the family, Abram suggests that Lot separates himself from him. Lot decides to settle in the plain of the Jordan - which was very fertile during this period - and pitches his tent near Sodom. The Torah informs us that, "And the men of Sodom, wicked and sinful; before YHWH exceedingly" (Gen. 12:13). Once again YHWH promises the Land of Canaan to Abram. YHWH commands Abram to tour around the land, presumably in order for him to become familiar with it. Abram settles near Hebron and builds an altar there.
Second Sidra՚ (Gen. 14:1-24):
(The war, and the rescue of Lot.)
This sidra՚ deals with the war between the four kings from the north and the five kings from the vicinity of Sodom. The five kings had been vassals of the northern kings for twelve years and in the thirteenth year of their subjugation they revolted. The revolt is crushed and the northern kings take much booty including Lot, Abram's nephew. Abram is informed by a survivor of the war that his nephew has been taken captive. Abram musters his trained men, three hundred and eighteen in number, along with his allies and pursues after the kings of the north. Abram overtakes the kings near Dan in the north and in the pursuing battle Abram is victorious, Lot is rescued along with all the captives and booty. Upon his return Abram is hailed as a national hero.
Third Sidra՚ (Gen. 15:1-21):
(The pact and promise that Abram's descendants will inherit Canaan.)
Once again the word of YHWH came to Abram in a vision. YHWH tells Abram, "do not fear Abram I am your shield" (Gen. 15:1). Abram worries about the fulfillment of YHWH's promise seeing that he is childless. YHWH reassures Abram that he will have many descendants more numerous than the stars of heaven. Abram believes in YHWH, Who counts this act of trust as a righteous one. YHWH again promises the Land of Canaan to Abram and commands him to bring a specific sacrifice. After Abram has prepared the sacrifice YHWH causes a deep sleep and a terrible darkness to fall upon him. In the vision that follows YHWH tells Abram that his descendants shall be sojourners in a land that is not theirs. There they shall become slaves and be afflicted for four hundred years. However, at the end of this period the nation that afflicted them shall be judged and Abram's descendants shall leave with great substance; returning to Canaan in the fourth generation. YHWH also reveals to Abram that he will have a long life and a peaceful old age.
Fourth Sidra՚ (Gen. 16:1-16):
(The birth of Ishmael)
Ten years have passed since Abram and his family entered Canaan, and Sarai is still barren. Sarai's bareness plays on her mind, so she decides to give Abram her Egyptian handmaid - Hagar - so that they might have a child through her. However, once Hagar conceives Sarai becomes contemptible in her eyes. Sarai blames Abram for Hagar's actions and starts treating her harshly to the extent that Hagar flees. An angel of YHWH finds Hagar near a well and tells her to return to Sarai. The angel also tells Hagar that she will have a son and he is to be called Ishmael [יִשְׁמָעֵאל - God has heard]. Hagar returns and soon Ishmael is born. Abram is eighty six years old when Ishmael is born.
Fifth Sidra՚ (Gen. 17:1-27):
(The covenant of circumcision, the changing of names, and the revelation of the birth of Isaac.)
YHWH appears to Abram and says to him, "I am El-Shaddai, walk before Me and be perfect" (Gen. 17:1). YHWH tells Abram that He will make an everlasting covenant with him; the sign of the covenant being circumcision. Every male born into Abram's household shall be circumcised at eight days old, and any male purchased for money is also to be circumcised. Any male who is not circumcised at eight days old and does not correct this when he is older shall be cut-off from the people of Israel; as they have broken YHWH's covenant. Once again YHWH promises the Land of Canaan to the descendants of Abram. YHWH now changes Abram's name to Abraham [אַבְרָהָם - father of many] - as a sign that he will become the father of many nations; and Sarai's name to Sarah [שָׂרָה - princess]. YHWH reveals to Abraham that he will have a son through Sarah and that, "kings of people shall come from her" (Gen. 17:16). When he hears this Abraham falls on his face and laughs, "To a hundred year old man shall a child be born, and shall Sarah, a ninety year old woman give birth?" (Gen. 17:17). God reassures Abraham that Sarah shall give him a son and that he is to be called Isaac [יִצְחָק - he laughs]. It is through Isaac and his descendants that the everlasting covenant shall be established. Ishmael is also to be blessed, but the covenant is to be established through Isaac. God tells Abraham that Sarah will give birth to Isaac in a year's time. The parasha closes with the circumcision of Abraham, Ishmael, and all the males of his household, on the self same day that YHWH gave the commandment. Abram is ninety years old when he is circumcised.
THE AUTHOR'S THOUGHTS:
Throughout this parasha we notice a central theme: YHWH says and Abram does. YHWH tells Abram to leave his father's house; to a land that He shall show him. Does YHWH tell Abram where? No! But Abram hears the call and obeys. The relationship between YHWH and Abram - the founding father of the Jewish people - is one of trust. Abram trusts in YHWH, and YHWH trusts Abram to listen and carry out His word. This does not mean that Abram had perfect trust; he did need reassurance on several occasions that Sarai would bear him a child. When Abram went down to Egypt he feared that Sarai would be taken away from him, and because he did not place his total trust in YHWH, that fear came true. Nevertheless, this shows that Abram - like us - was a human-being with failings. However, when Abram does place his total trust in YHWH the results are, "it is counted to him for righteousness" (Gen. 15:6) and he receives YHWH's protection, "do not fear Abram I am your shield" (Gen. 15:1). This does not mean that Abram's life is without difficulties; there are plenty. Sarai is barren, problems with Lot, and not to mention the rivalry between Sarai and Hagar - but it does mean that YHWH will be there for him in the end. Abram the founding father of Judaism reveals to us the foundation of righteousness - trust in YHWH. Abram is commanded by YHWH to, "walk before Me and be perfect" (Gen. 17:1) If we, like Abram, are to walk before YHWH and be perfect, then we too must place our trust in YHWH and it will be counted for righteousness.
SYNOPSIS:
Parashat Lekh Lekha contains five sidrot [order, part]. The first deals with Abram's migration to Canaan, temporary stay in Egypt, and separation from Lot; the second, the war and the rescue of Lot; the third, the pact and promise that Abram's descendants will inherit Canaan; the fourth, the birth of Ishmael; and the fifth, the covenant of circumcision, the changing of names, and the revelation of the birth of Isaac.
First Sidra՚ (Gen. 12:1-13:18):
(Abram's migration to Canaan, temporary stay in Egypt, and separation from Lot.)
The parasha opens with Abram's [אַבְרָם - exalted father] call from YHWH, "Go you forth from your land and from your kindred and from your father's house; to the land that I will show you" (Gen. 12:1). YHWH promises Abram that He will make him into a great nation and bless him. YHWH tells Abram, "And I will bless those that bless you, and curse those that curse you" (Gen. 12:3).
Abram takes with him Sarai his wife, Lot his nephew, and the souls he made in Ḥaran (possibly converts) and heads out for the Land of Canaan. Abram was seventy five years old when he set out for Canaan. When Abram arrives in Canaan he first settles in the vicinity of Shekhem, and there YHWH promises Abram that He will give this land to his descendants. Abram builds an altar to act as a symbol of YHWH's promise. Abram continues his journeys through the Land of Canaan, pitches his tent near Beth El and builds an altar; calling upon the name of YHWH. He then continues his journey, going further south.
Sometime latter there is famine in the land. Egypt is not affected by the famine, so Abram heads for Egypt. As they approach Egypt, Abram fears that when the Egyptians see Sarai's beauty they will take her and kill him. Abram therefore tells her to say that she is his sister so no harm will befall him. However, when they arrive in Egypt Pharaoh hears about Sarai's beauty and she is taken into his house. For the sake of Sarai, Pharaoh treats Abram well giving him life-stock and servants as presents.
YHWH sends plagues against Pharaoh and his House because of Sarai. Pharaoh realizes the reason why the plagues were sent against his household, he calls for Abram and complains, "What is this that you have done to me; why did you not tell me, that she is your wife" (Gen. 12:18). Pharaoh returns Sarai to Abram and deports them with all their possessions. Abram, Sarai and Lot return to Canaan settling down once again near Beth El.
Abram had become very wealthy in cattle, silver and gold, and so had Lot. Strife soon breaks out over grazing rights between Abram's and Lot's herdsmen. In order to keep peace in the family, Abram suggests that Lot separates himself from him. Lot decides to settle in the plain of the Jordan - which was very fertile during this period - and pitches his tent near Sodom. The Torah informs us that, "And the men of Sodom, wicked and sinful; before YHWH exceedingly" (Gen. 12:13). Once again YHWH promises the Land of Canaan to Abram. YHWH commands Abram to tour around the land, presumably in order for him to become familiar with it. Abram settles near Hebron and builds an altar there.
Second Sidra՚ (Gen. 14:1-24):
(The war, and the rescue of Lot.)
This sidra՚ deals with the war between the four kings from the north and the five kings from the vicinity of Sodom. The five kings had been vassals of the northern kings for twelve years and in the thirteenth year of their subjugation they revolted. The revolt is crushed and the northern kings take much booty including Lot, Abram's nephew. Abram is informed by a survivor of the war that his nephew has been taken captive. Abram musters his trained men, three hundred and eighteen in number, along with his allies and pursues after the kings of the north. Abram overtakes the kings near Dan in the north and in the pursuing battle Abram is victorious, Lot is rescued along with all the captives and booty. Upon his return Abram is hailed as a national hero.
Third Sidra՚ (Gen. 15:1-21):
(The pact and promise that Abram's descendants will inherit Canaan.)
Once again the word of YHWH came to Abram in a vision. YHWH tells Abram, "do not fear Abram I am your shield" (Gen. 15:1). Abram worries about the fulfillment of YHWH's promise seeing that he is childless. YHWH reassures Abram that he will have many descendants more numerous than the stars of heaven. Abram believes in YHWH, Who counts this act of trust as a righteous one. YHWH again promises the Land of Canaan to Abram and commands him to bring a specific sacrifice. After Abram has prepared the sacrifice YHWH causes a deep sleep and a terrible darkness to fall upon him. In the vision that follows YHWH tells Abram that his descendants shall be sojourners in a land that is not theirs. There they shall become slaves and be afflicted for four hundred years. However, at the end of this period the nation that afflicted them shall be judged and Abram's descendants shall leave with great substance; returning to Canaan in the fourth generation. YHWH also reveals to Abram that he will have a long life and a peaceful old age.
Fourth Sidra՚ (Gen. 16:1-16):
(The birth of Ishmael)
Ten years have passed since Abram and his family entered Canaan, and Sarai is still barren. Sarai's bareness plays on her mind, so she decides to give Abram her Egyptian handmaid - Hagar - so that they might have a child through her. However, once Hagar conceives Sarai becomes contemptible in her eyes. Sarai blames Abram for Hagar's actions and starts treating her harshly to the extent that Hagar flees. An angel of YHWH finds Hagar near a well and tells her to return to Sarai. The angel also tells Hagar that she will have a son and he is to be called Ishmael [יִשְׁמָעֵאל - God has heard]. Hagar returns and soon Ishmael is born. Abram is eighty six years old when Ishmael is born.
Fifth Sidra՚ (Gen. 17:1-27):
(The covenant of circumcision, the changing of names, and the revelation of the birth of Isaac.)
YHWH appears to Abram and says to him, "I am El-Shaddai, walk before Me and be perfect" (Gen. 17:1). YHWH tells Abram that He will make an everlasting covenant with him; the sign of the covenant being circumcision. Every male born into Abram's household shall be circumcised at eight days old, and any male purchased for money is also to be circumcised. Any male who is not circumcised at eight days old and does not correct this when he is older shall be cut-off from the people of Israel; as they have broken YHWH's covenant. Once again YHWH promises the Land of Canaan to the descendants of Abram. YHWH now changes Abram's name to Abraham [אַבְרָהָם - father of many] - as a sign that he will become the father of many nations; and Sarai's name to Sarah [שָׂרָה - princess]. YHWH reveals to Abraham that he will have a son through Sarah and that, "kings of people shall come from her" (Gen. 17:16). When he hears this Abraham falls on his face and laughs, "To a hundred year old man shall a child be born, and shall Sarah, a ninety year old woman give birth?" (Gen. 17:17). God reassures Abraham that Sarah shall give him a son and that he is to be called Isaac [יִצְחָק - he laughs]. It is through Isaac and his descendants that the everlasting covenant shall be established. Ishmael is also to be blessed, but the covenant is to be established through Isaac. God tells Abraham that Sarah will give birth to Isaac in a year's time. The parasha closes with the circumcision of Abraham, Ishmael, and all the males of his household, on the self same day that YHWH gave the commandment. Abram is ninety years old when he is circumcised.
THE AUTHOR'S THOUGHTS:
Throughout this parasha we notice a central theme: YHWH says and Abram does. YHWH tells Abram to leave his father's house; to a land that He shall show him. Does YHWH tell Abram where? No! But Abram hears the call and obeys. The relationship between YHWH and Abram - the founding father of the Jewish people - is one of trust. Abram trusts in YHWH, and YHWH trusts Abram to listen and carry out His word. This does not mean that Abram had perfect trust; he did need reassurance on several occasions that Sarai would bear him a child. When Abram went down to Egypt he feared that Sarai would be taken away from him, and because he did not place his total trust in YHWH, that fear came true. Nevertheless, this shows that Abram - like us - was a human-being with failings. However, when Abram does place his total trust in YHWH the results are, "it is counted to him for righteousness" (Gen. 15:6) and he receives YHWH's protection, "do not fear Abram I am your shield" (Gen. 15:1). This does not mean that Abram's life is without difficulties; there are plenty. Sarai is barren, problems with Lot, and not to mention the rivalry between Sarai and Hagar - but it does mean that YHWH will be there for him in the end. Abram the founding father of Judaism reveals to us the foundation of righteousness - trust in YHWH. Abram is commanded by YHWH to, "walk before Me and be perfect" (Gen. 17:1) If we, like Abram, are to walk before YHWH and be perfect, then we too must place our trust in YHWH and it will be counted for righteousness.
