Parashat Lekh Lekha 5786

by Rabbi Margie Cella

Ten generations after Noah, we meet Abram, whom God commanded to leave his home and family to move to an unknown place that God would show him. He followed God’s command, leaving home with his wife, nephew, wealth, and servants. Arriving in Canaan, he received a promise from God to give the land to his descendants.

Encountering a famine in Canaan, Abram took his family to Egypt, asking Sarai to say that she was his sister instead of his wife. When the truth about their relationship was revealed, Pharaoh sent them away, but not before showering Abram with gifts.

Returning to Canaan, Abram and Lot separated due to the size of their flocks, Lot taking the more fertile land for himself. God reiterated the promise to give Abram the land and countless descendants.

Next we have one of the lesser known but, ironically, timely passages in this parashah. Four eastern kings waged war with five western kings. Lot and his family were taken captive. Upon hearing this, Abram put together an army that fought off Lot’s captors, bringing back from captivity Lot, his wife, his family, and his possessions.

Abram observed the mitzvah of ransoming the captives. Throughout history, this mitzvah is deemed more important than feeding and clothing the poor. Rambam says that delaying the fulfillment of this mitzvah is as serious as committing murder. That is why it was so important to bring all of our hostages home from Gaza. We rejoice that all of our living hostages have been brought home to Israel. But we cannot rest until those no longer living are returned for a proper burial as well.

Oseh Shalom, Master of Peace, may we soon see the day that each of these precious souls can be laid to rest, giving peace and closure to their loving families.