A few Thoughts on Parashat Lech Lecha

B"H

The history of the Jewish People begins with Avraham. Before, neither Adam HaRishon nor Noach were Jews.

Avraham was the tenth generation after Noach and mankind had learned nothing and continued serving idols. Avraham's family lived in Ur Kasdim, in today's Iraq. When he was born, his father Terach was already 70 years old and Shem, Noach's son, was 390 years old. Avraham also still met Noach.

As I have mentioned before, the first generations after the Creation of the World, were created with a different DNA. A DNA which guaranteed them an incredible long life and G - d's intention was that people should use their life span in order to do Teshuva. However, they did not and, therefore, life expectancy was shortened.

Rashi interprets "Lech Leach" with Avraham being sent away for his best. G - d wanted to avoid that Avraham is being influenced by an idol worshiping environment.

Literally "Lech Lecha" means "Go to yourself" and the Sefat Emet sees the whole story metaphorically. When Avraham left Haran, he underwent a spiritual transformation. Each of us should do the same in a certain sense and strife for perfection. We should rise from level to level and never stop at one point in life and say "This is it".

It was the first of another nine tests, G - d gave to Avraham. But why did he need to be tested at all ? He never complained about leaving his family and moving to another country and he was always anxious to do G - d's will.

The tests show that each of us has a "Free Will" and can choose different options. To do G - d's will or not to. Without noticing it, we are tested every day in our life, and we should never rest upon our good deeds.

We can learn many things from Avraham which does not mean we should get depressed because we are not on such a high level. What each of us is able to do is searching for the ONE G - d who created the world. Nothing exists in this world without being created by G - d, and everything can be elevated to its original divine source (Noam Elimelech).

Every individual has different capabilities and limits. The Vilna Gaon said that each Jew can gain a certain Torah life according to his level and no one should be depressed over not reaching the highest levels of perfection.

As already the famous chassidic rabbi, Rabbi Susha, said:

After I die, G - d will not ask me: "Susha, why were you not like Avraham or Moshe" ?

Rather He will ask me: "Susha, why were you not Susha" ?

Means, each of us should try to use his own potential for the good.

Shabbat Shalom