Parshat Lech Lecha

This, the opening verse of our Sidra is the famous command of ‘lech lecha’ (go for yourself) when G-d spoke to Abraham (then still called Abram – see 17,5) and told him to move away to an unspecified new place to start a new life.

Rashi, the premier Torah commentator, explains that this move was for Abraham’s own good and benefit, as only by moving away to establish himself in his own right, could he have the opportunity to develop into the great figure that he was to become. This command is considered one of the tests undergone by Abraham, to show the extent of his faith in and connection with G-d (see Mishna Avot 5,4).

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, one of the Rabbinic greats of the 20^th century, questions Rashi’s explanation, if Abraham is seen as being tested. Often people have to travel in order to advance or to improve their livelihood. They do so even when there are no guarantees of success, while according to Rashi, Abraham was sure to benefit from his move.

Rabbi Feinstein answers that Abraham was handed a test of faith, to see if would doubt G-d’s word, especially as Abraham had no idea as to where or what his travels would bring him. Abraham’s trust in G-d was such that he obeyed, even without knowing what was to happen, perhaps analogous to the Jewish people’s acceptance of the Torah at Mount Sinai, when we proclaimed, ‘we will do and we will obey’ (Shemot/Exodus 24,7). This is why the Torah says of Abraham ‘walk before me and you will be whole’ – the walking before G-d is a reference to Abraham’s faith through his obedience of G-d even when he does not know why. Abraham’s appreciation of G-d and of his relationship with G-d, is such that he just does what G-d says.

This appreciation is a significant theme of Abraham’s life.

Rabbi Feinstein’s approach suggests that the first beracha (blessing) in the Amida prayer ends with the phrase praising G-d as ‘Magen Avraham’ (the shield of Abraham) as testimony to this.