From the Rabbi

We are introduced to Abraham in this week’s parsha when he is told to leave his homeland, and go to the place that Hashem will show him. The Mishnah in Pirkei Avos famously comments that Avraham leaving his homeland to relocate to another locale was the second of his ten big tests in his lifetime. Rabbi Shmuel Berenbaum wonders: “What was so special about this particular test? We see every day that many people go from their homes and settle all over the world, very far from home, with the goal of attaining great material wealth and success! And furthermore, Hashem promised Avraham that if he goes, He will make him famous, he will have offspring, and he will be very wealthy!” 

If G-d told me that I should leave Denver to the place He will show me, and assures me it will work out, and how I will become extremely famous and rich, I’d say, “Where do I sign up?”   

What is this great test that Avraham underwent in leaving his homeland?

Rabbi Berenbaum explains that until this point, Avraham had a reasonably simple life. He was involved in Torah, and inspiring people to believe in One G-d. Now, Hashem is telling him to abandon this simple lifestyle, no longer focus on his Torah and obtaining students, and instead to “go to the land that I will show you.” He is being asked to leave his simple life he knows and loves, and go to this new place where G-d will make his name great, and make him exceedingly wealthy. 

It emerges, says Rabbi Berenbaum that his test was not just to leave his homeland for a new place– but rather to begin a new path, a new avoda, a new service of G-d– to begin serving G-d in a different manner than he had until now. 

Rabbi Berenbaum points out that we see this phenomenon with other forefathers as well: Yaakov was a simple man who studied Torah and “dwelled in the tents,” but eventually he had to flee his home, and become a great shepherd in Lavan’s home. Yosef was a simple shepherd, and eventually his circumstances changed, and he became the second in command in Egypt. In these cases, our holy forefathers began their lives serving the Almighty in one way, but needed to pivot at some point due to circumstances beyond their control, and serve Him in an entirely different way. 

Perhaps a lesson we can learn from this is that if ever our own circumstances change, we should not fall into depression and despair, but rather relate to the change in circumstances as a test from Hashem, not unlike Avraham’s test. The test might be about how we will react to these changes, and how we will continue to serve Hashem under these new conditions. Throughout the generations our fate changes– but we always remain avdei Hashem, servants of Hashem. We have inherited in our spiritual DNA from Abraham and our forefathers this incredible ability to adapt, and to pivot.

I recently began reading the book “Hostage” which chronicles the story of survival by one of our great modern day heroes, Eli Sharabi. Upon coming to grips with the reality of what was happening as he was being taken into Gaza he relates the super-human perspective he inherited from his forefathers: I focus and concentrate on one mission: surviving to return home. There is no more regular Eli. From now on, I am Eli the survivor.” 

Eli Sharabi was able to immediately recognize his life was forever changing– and he would have to adjust his perspective and his focus accordingly. 

None of us should ever face such tests— but when they come our way, like Avraham, let us remain unphased, make the necessary pivot, and serve Hashem in the new way that we are being guided towards.