Lech L’cha

Parashat Lech L’cha tells the story of an extraordinary journey into the unknown. God calls Avram to leave his home in Ur, his family, and everything familiar behind, promising to lead him to a new land and make him the ancestor of a great nation. With courage and trust, Avram sets out with Sarai and their family, not knowing exactly where they are going or what awaits them.

Along the way, Avram faces challenges, makes difficult choices, and begins building a relationship with God. In a remarkable moment, God invites Avram to look up at the night sky and count the stars, promising that his descendants will one day be just as numerous! God establishes a brit (covenant) with Avram, giving him and Sarai new names (Avraham and Sarah) and a new sense of purpose. Their journey becomes the beginning of our Jewish story! 

Choose one of the following prompts and share with us via email or this link by Thursday, October 22. 

Writers Path:

Read P’sukim (verses) 12:1–12:4. Avram, heading God's directive, leaves behind his land, birthplace, and his family home, without knowing exactly where he is going. In pasuk 2 Adonai tells Avram he will be blessed. The word blessing appears 5 times in two p'sukim! They say hindsight is 20/20, so write a short blessing or note to Avraham and Sarah that reveals to them the blessing God is talking about. In what ways has that promise been fulfilled? Alternatively, write a short blessing to yourself for a moment of departure or new beginnings. 

Visual Path:

Read Pasuk (verse) 15:5. Constellation exploration. Share some stars, your favorite planet, or a stellar creative interpretation of this pasuk. Or, take a photograph of something in your world that represents possibility, potential, or a future still unfolding. It might be something vast, something barely visible, or something very ordinary but speaks to what could be. 

Torah Tease: 

How many times – and where – in Tanach is the exact phrase “Lech L’cha” found?