Listen to the Voice

Parashat Lekh Lekha

 

In Lekh Lekha, we read of Abraham and Sarah (then, Abram and Sarai) being chosen to leave their place of birth and go to an unknown land, to become the ancestors of God’s nation.

A question often asked is – why Abraham and Sarah? What was so special about them that God spoke to them? While the Midrash embellishes the Biblical account with stories of Abraham breaking down his father’s idols, when reading straight from the Torah, this is our first introduction to Avraham Avinu and Sarah Imenu.

One suggested answer is that God didn’t actually choose them at all. It is suggested that God said these words, “Lekh Lekha – Go for yourself” to every single person on the planet, but that only Abraham and Sarah chose to listen and follow God’s request. God didn’t choose them for this mission; they chose themselves.

Similarly, to this day we all are constantly being sent messages from God: “Lekh Lekha.” “Go and do something good. Be better than you are now. Improve the world. Care for yourself and your family.” But it’s up to us to hear and listen to those messages, not to ignore them.

Inspiration only comes to those interested in being inspired. We all have the potential to be the Abrahams and Sarahs of our generation.

Shabbat Shalom.