What was Different About Abraham's Response?

Abraham, the founding father of our faith, is central to our Torah portion this week. Actually, as the story opens he is called Abram. Only later, in 17:5, will his name be changed to Abraham.

Read as much of the Torah portion as you can (Gen. 12.1–17.27). It is an engaging narrative! Our focus, however, will be the dramatic opening words of commissioning in Gen. 12:1.

“Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1).

“Lekh lekha...” The Hebrew term can be variously translated: Go; go forth; travel; leave.

These words introduce the story of one man whose decision to step out and follow a divine call changes the course of history. Not only does this represent the beginnings of the Jewish faith tradition, but from here two other faiths claiming Abrahamic roots will emerge: Christianity and Islam.

Exactly what is it about this story that justifies its religious centrality? Who and what have led to this critical moment? If you have been reading Genesis to this point, you will recall the saga of Adam & Eve, Cain & Abel, Noah and the flood. Against the backdrop of these characters and their behaviour, what can you say about Abraham’s entrance centre-stage?

Perhaps you noticed that the moral fibre of each of the previous characters displays serious flaws. In the writings of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks (1948-2020), an esteemed Torah commentator and Jewish leader, we find the observation that their flaw in common is evasion or abdication of responsibility. Do you agree? Think back on the preceding chapters of Genesis. Pool your knowledge with a havrutah partner (discussion/sparring partner). You may wish to revisit parts of Genesis to recall a particular scene, before reading on.

Rabbi Sacks, drawing on the wider biblical canvass, describes the character of Abraham from the moment of call through the chapters that follow.

• Unlike Adam (who blames Eve, who blames the serpent), Abraham accepts personal responsibility in adhering to G-d’s word. (See Gen.12:4)

• Unlike Cain (‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ 4:9) Abraham accepts moral responsibility, rescuing his brother’s son, Lot (Gen.14).

• Unlike Noah (who is silent at the divine announcement of the destruction of humanity), Abraham prays for the inhabitants of Sodom and asks the Lord to spare them (Gen. 18). He accepts collective responsibility.

In other words, Abraham, in resisting excuses and in his wholehearted response to the summons to ‘Go forth’ to a new land, charts a radical path in the history of humankind; one defined by a personal free choice to follow the Lord G-d without hesitation or reserve. •

Reflection: 

Lekh lekha...  Go forth... According to one Jewish (Hassidic) interpretation, Lekh lekha means “Go to yourself,” i.e., find that deep freedom planted within every human being, and set your moral compass from there.

What excuses sometimes deter me when the Lord says, “Go forth...”? Do my personal choices come from that deep place of inner freedom where I am truly ‘myself’ before G-d?

Bibliography: Plaut, The Torah: A Modern Commentary, rev. ed. (New York: URJ Press, 2006); Sacks, Covenant and Conversation (Jerusalem: Maggid, 2009).  Scripture: NRSV.

© Teresa Pirola, 2013. www.lightoftorah.net  | This article may be reproduced for non-commercial use with acknowledgement of website.

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Light of Torah is a Sydney-based grassroots ministry encouraging Christians to learn more about Torah and Jewish traditions from Jewish texts, teachings and commentaries. More... 

The reflection above refers to Parashat Lech Lecha (Genesis 12.1 - 17:27) which is the Torah portion read on the coming Sabbath in the Jewish liturgical calendar. Shabbat shalom!

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Further Resources Supporting Christian-Jewish Relations:

NOSTRA AETATE. Marking the 60th Anniversary of the document "Nostra Aetate" - Visit the Bat Kol International website for a suite of resources to share the story and significance of this Vatican II Declaration which was issued by the Catholic Church in 1965 and which has had a major impact on the history of Catholic-Jewish relations. Click here for details.

CALENDAR. Download the latest edition of the Jewish and Christian Liturgical Calendar which is published each year by Etz Hayim - Tree of Life Publishing. The calendar assists readers to be aware of the key liturgical dates and their relevant scripture readings in both Jewish and Christian traditions over the course of the year. Download your copy here.