It was a message which changed Avraham and Sarah’s lives and forever changed the trajectory of mankind.
“And the Lord said to Abram, “Go forth (for yourself) from your land and from your birthplace and from your father’s house to the land that I will show you.” (Bereishis 12:1)
Rashi is intrigued by the phrase, Lech Lecha, which translates as “go for you.” Why not just say, lech/go? What is Hashem messaging with the word “lecha/for you”?
Rashi explains:
Go forth. Heb. לֶךְ לְךָ, lit. go to you, for your benefit (l’hana’ascha) and for your good (l’tovascha), and there I will make you into a great nation, but here, you will not merit to have children. Moreover, I will make your character known in the world. — [from Rosh Hashanah 16b, Tan.]
Hashem explains to Avraham that adherence to this lech lecha instruction will be beneficial to Avraham, it was for his benefit (l’hana’ascha) and for his good (l’tovascha). In this simple explanation, Rashi conveys to us a profound life lesson. We all experience Lech Lecha moments in life. Moments in which we must uproot that which we know and venture forth into the unknown. At times, these Lech Lecha moments are by choice and at times they are foisted upon us. At times, these Lech Lecha changes are beneficial and pleasant (l’hana’ascha). We can see the good which will result, and we are filled with excitement to make changes and venture forward. We know that as difficult as change is, these Lech Lecha moments will unlock much good, holiness, and life- beauty. Yet, there are many times when these Lech Lecha moments of change are forced upon us. The life we have known is shifting beneath our feet and we feel out of control. We feel sacred, uncertain, and anxious. I am unnerved by the upheaval of my life equilibrium, and I would give anything to maintain the status quo. I don’t want the change, I am not ready for the change, I am scared of these new realities. Rashi reminds us, Hashem reminds us that even in these Lech Lecha moments it is for the “good/l’tovascha.” Good doesn’t mean pleasant. L’tovascha doesn’t mean easy. There are many moments of change in life which are difficult and heartbreaking, but some way, somehow, it is all for our good. Every circumstance Hashem visits upon us will be l’tovaseynu, for our good. This is what we believe, this is how we live. This was the message communicated to Avraham Avinu and the message which reverberates and resonates within our collective soul to this very day.
