October 27, 2012

Parashat Lech Lecha 

Genesis 12:1–17:27 

There is Hope for the Jewish People!

Rabbi David Etengoff

Dedicated to the sacred memories of my mother, Miriam Tovah bat Aharon Hakohen, father-in-law, Levi ben Yitzhak, sister-in-law, Ruchama Rivka Sondra, my sister, Shulamit bat Menachem, and Shifra bat Chaim Alter, and the refuah shlaimah of Yosef Shmuel ben Miriam, Yehonatan Binyamin Halevy ben Golda Friedel, and Moshe Reuven ben Chaya.

Most religions, in line with their idol-worshipping origins, make their founders and heroes larger-than-life figures. These mythic-like individuals perform endless wonders and miracles, and often share little in common with the religion’s followers. As a result, their hallowed texts are rife with stories of super-human feats and accomplishments that violate the laws of nature and normative human behavior.

In stark contrast, Judaism has embraced a naturalistic approach to the men and women who grace the pages of Tanach (Torah, Prophets, and Writings). This is particularly the case when it comes to the Avot (Patriarchs) and the Emahot(Matriarchs). Avraham, Yitzhak, Yaakov, Sarah, Rivka, Rachel, and Leah are portrayed as real people, who very often face the same trials and tribulations that you and I face amidst the vicissitudes of daily living. Since they faced our real-life challenges, and in this process actualized their potential, they serve as beacons of light to us as we traverse the stormy seas that we call our lives.

Fear is not an emotion that we commonly associate with the Avot and Emahot. Yet, Hashem assured each of the Patriarchs with the expression “al tira” (“do not be afraid”). In our parasha, G-d told Avram (later, Avraham): “After these incidents, the word of the L-rd came to Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Fear not, Abram; I am your Shield; your reward is exceedingly great.’” (Sefer Bereishit 15:1, this and all Tanachand Rashi translations, The Judaica Press Complete Tanach) He repeated these words to Yitzhak in Parashat Toldot (26:24): “And the L-rd appeared to him on that night and said, ‘I am the G-d of Abraham, your father. Fear not, for I am with you, and I will bless you and multiply your seed for the sake of Abraham, My servant.’” So, too, in the case of Yaakov Avinu (our father Yaakov) in Parashat Vayigash: “And He said, ‘I am G-d, the G-d of your father. Do not be afraid of going down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up, and Joseph will place his hand on your eyes.’” (46:3-4)

What was the source of Avram’s fear? Based upon several Midrashic sources, Rashi (1040-1105) suggests that his fear was motivated by the incredible military victory he had just achieved against “Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him” (14:17). Thus he states:

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