Go Forth Inwards - Parshat  Lech Lecha

Knowing where we are going is usually a good idea when we start any journey - whether we are going to work, on a vacation or to a family gathering.

It is, therefore, surprising that when God says to Avraham at the beginning of Parshat Lech Lecha, "go forth", he seems to start by not telling him where he is going but rather what he is leaving. "Go forth from your land, from your birthplace and from your father's home" and only then does he mention "to the land I will show you."1 Does Avraham not know where he is leaving? Would it not be more helpful to give him coordinates?

The Malbim, therefore, explains here that the meaning of the words "lech lecha" is: "go to yourself". So then, in fact, the sentence does start by saying go forth towards a destination, but that destination is yourself, who you truly are. Where you've been, where you came from. It is a part of you. So are your beliefs and dreams. Past, present and future all come together to create who you are at any given moment.

We do not have to like all of what we've been through or all that we've done, but it is still part of who we are.

Avraham lived for 75 years in a land of idol-worshippers but he was not one of them. 'Go forth inwards', he is told, and trust your beliefs that they will take you forward. They will help you recognize your personal meaning in life, which according to Dr. Viktor Frankl, is the primary motivation in life.2

This demands much courage and honesty. It is not simple to divorce ourselves from our background – and it is not usually recommended to do so. We need to recognize our background and learn from it. In Avraham's situation, however, it was necessary to move away from the physical and cultural place where he had been and towards greater spiritual growth. But even for him to do that he needed to connect with his inner self first and see the strengths he gained from his past.

Only when he recognized his inner strength and courage, could he make the break with those parts of his past which held him back. Only then could he begin his personal trek to Israel and a more meaningful life. 

Seeing where we come from and then learning how to utilize that unique past becomes an important step in being able to grow a successful future.

Notes

  1. Bereishit 12:1
  2. Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning, p. 105

Have A Great Shabbat!laughing

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