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Welcome to a new series Shabbat Shalom from Shmuel! This week’s Torah Portion is Lech Lecha (Go Forth).
What does it mean to be a “searching person”? Abraham was called-but did others hear that same call? Join Shmuel to learn about Abraham’s journey and the intimate connection the Jewish people have maintained with the land of Israel through their exile and return.
Shmuel I’m enjoying your Shabbat Shalom. So glad CFOIC sent out the book mark with the yearly readings. It Keeps me on track. You are doing a great job.
Shmuel, toda for your brief but insighful commentary on the parashah. After years of reading this classic passage about the call of Avram, this year I noticed 2 striking features from the reading;
1] the possibility that someone else may have been called before Avram, namely his father Terach. For some reason, Terach took his family and migrated from Ur of Kasdim, headed for Kena’an. But, he revised his destination and instead stopped short in Haran – mission fail. [B’resheet 11:31] By contrast, Avram set out for Kena’an and arrived there – mission accomplished. [B’resheet 12:5]
2] We all know the great promises to Avram, later called Avraham by ha Shem. [B’resheet 12:1-3]. Our focus as Jews is typically on the benevolent promises, which have happened, are happening and will happen. However, the middle part of verse 3, ‘I will curse anyone who curses you’ is a specific curse to the enemies of B’nai Israel. This has happened, is happening and will happen. In all our prayers for the safety and protection of the State of Israel, for wisdom, courage and resources for the IDF, government leaders and allies of Israel, we must also remember that ha Shem Himself is opposed to our enemies. He is fully able to miraculously eclipse the efforts of our armed services, to render annihilation to enemies and also to restore the land [formerly known as Gaza] to its rightful owners, as was promised to Avraham.
If you have time, please share your thoughts on this, toda raba.
Shalom
Thank you Schmuel for your thoughts on Abraham.
My thoughts:
How many people in the Bible are called ‘the friend of God’? Only one.
Why did God honour him with this title? Because his faith in God led him to go places, do things and make sacrifices that few others would have done. If you had waited so long for the son of promise, why would you consider sacrificing him unless you had the faith to believe that God would eventually restore him to you?
Yes, Abraham had one or two ‘wobbles’. He was human.
Abraham “believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.