Re-Location
The third parsha of the year, Lekh Lekha, sends us into the unknown – or at least, begins that journey for our textual ancestors. In Debbie Friedman’s Lechi Lach, the simple words remind us that this passage starts out with an identification of the land as somewhere that G!d would show Abram (Sarai, though part of the journey, isn’t mentioned in this conversation). The lyrics of the song adds in a caveat that reminds us the end of the journey was an unknown place, perhaps also reminding us that the journey was also unknowable. This is followed by a promise of two-way blessings toward Abram, both divine and from fellow humanity, along with an expansion of his lineage. These first three verses set the scene of the instructions, the payoff – and then Abram leaves on this journey.
Parashas Lekh L’kha covers six chapters – a lot of places, conversations with G!d, questions, fears – built off these first three verses of instructions. Do these instructions really provide purpose? Do they give a reason to trust G!d? Genesis Rabbah (39.1) provides this thought:
Rabbi Yitzchak said: this may be compared to a man who was traveling from place to place when he saw a castle aglow. He said, “Is it possible that this castle lacks a person to look after it?” The owner of the building looked at him and said to him, ‘I am the master of the castle.'” What happened with Abraham our father was similar. He said, “Is it possible that this universe lacks a person to look after it?,” the Holy Blessed One looked at him and said to him, ‘I am the Master of the Universe.'” “And let the king be aroused by your beauty since he is your master” (Psalms 45:12) And let the king be aroused for your beauty in the universe. “And bow to him” (Psalms 45:12) Hence, G!d said to Abram, [go forth…].
Avot d’Rabbi Natan 33.2 also reminds us this sending is one of Abram’s ten tests, trials given by G!d to prove the loyalty of Avram Avinu. This imperative is not just one of the tests presented to Abram, but the first. Was saying yes and embarking on the journey a signal? What would have become of Abram, Sarai, their family and entourage, if he had stayed in Ur? Were G!d’s other trials for this Abram hanging on the first journey?
These questions have been gone over by Jews, Christians, Muslims, and others for generations upon generations. If the story had started with Abram doubting, or taking his time to leave, or leaving but following a different path, we may postulate that history would be different. (Though, really, we don’t know.) Yet each day we have re-locating moments of our own – decisions made in the spur of the moment, directions taken by conversations, spontaneous and planned journeys. These small re-locating moments add up to larger re-locations, and of course we encounter major moments of re-location that are remembered as life-changing. From whom do we receive those Lekh L’kha commands?
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An important Lekh L’kha for me began in 2008, but I heard and followed the probing in 2010. Amidst the stock market crash and aftermath, I changed academic paths to study religious texts, ideas, history, philosophy. Through a series of closed doors, I found that not only could I no longer resist that this was a Lekh L’kha for me, but that I was excited to step into something new, unknown, boundless in opportunity. Each of us has these stories. My studies took me to new physical locations, opened new communities, ideas, practices to me, and changed me.
