Keep Going!

The name of a Torah portion is, of course, indicative of its general content, inasmuch as the title applies equally to all its verses. This is also true regarding Lech Lecha, “Go for your own sake” — a title that implies a continual moving forward.

The general meaning of forward movement in the life of a Jew, prefigured by the journey of Avraham — the first Jew — is a constant spiritual elevation through divine service, the reason for which man was created.

The beginning of Lech Lecha describes how Avraham fulfilled G-d’s command to “move forth from your land, birthplace and father’s home” by completing his father’s journey to Eretz Yisrael. It then goes on to chronicle how Avraham continued to journey in the direction of Jerusalem and the Beis HaMikdash.

The above facts thus detail Avraham’s constant spiritual climb, forever attaining more sublime spiritual levels.

What can we learn from this very first commandment to Abraham that we can apply to our own lives as well?

The first and most fundamental requirement of every Jew is to "go out" -- to be in a constant state of ascent, developing and elevating both our inner potential and our surroundings.

The Jewish people have found themselves thrust into exile after exile, only to return to their Land and achieve even higher spiritual heights than before.

Right now, at such a hard time, with the war raging in Israel, we approach an era of unprecedented spirituality and goodness. We draw encouragement from our ancestor Abraham's descent into Egypt and eventual return to Israel: We must remember that the darkness that seems to prevail in the world is only external and is part of G-d's greater plan for the ultimate prevailing of good over evil and the coming of Moshiach, may it be now!

This week, prevail over the darkness by lighting Shabbat candles at 5:41 PM (in NYC).

Shabbat Shalom!