Lech L'cha

Genesis 12:1−17:27

Educating Against Egypt

Through his experiences with his nephew Lot, Abraham learns valuable parenting skills.

By Rabbi Jonathan Rosenblatt; Provided by the Orthodox Union, the central coordinating agency for North American Orthodox congregations.The following article is reprinted with permission from the Orthodox Union.

The birth of Yitzchak [Isaac] is anticipated with prayers, prophecies and Divine promises.

Moreover, his birth and upbringing are prefigured by the trials and errors of his father's two earlier son figures--one a nephew and the other a concubine's child.

The patterns and mistaken assumptions that cost Abraham the fidelity of both Yishmael and Lot also served as parenting instructors. The course adjustments in the wake of these disappointments contributed to the excellence of the third attempt. And although there can be no doubting the primacy of transmission through Yitzchak, the Torah's deference to Yishmael and to Lot's descendants suggests that even a failed son of Abraham is esteemed.

A careful reading of a small passage in Lech Lecha may illustrate how a crucial element in faith-training is discovered.

Early in the parshah, Abraham answers the Divine call: "And Avram went as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him (ito)...." When Avram removes to Canaan, Lot is carried along by the very same verb that carries Sarai.

Then comes the famine, which drives the Holy couple down to Egypt, testing their faith in the G-d who had just promised them Canaan. Beside the traumatic encounter with Pharaoh, the Egyptian detour rattles Abraham's security in his mission. The Abarbanel (15th century commentator) notes that despite the vast wealth--accounted in flocks and silver and gold--the nefesh, the proselytes, are missing.

For this reason, the patriarch hastens to his earlier altar and to the work of calling out the name of the True G-d. He returns "lemasaav," which the Malbim (Rabbi Meir Leibush, 19th century commentator) understands to refer to his regular missionary circuit.

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