Lech Lecha - 5776

Genesis 12:1 - 17:27

Lech Lecha is arguably one of the strangest phrases in Torah. Lech is a command that means, “you, go forth!” Lecha is a pronoun that generally means, “you” or “yourself.” This strange repetition of “you” is problematic for two reasons. First, it is grammatically “incorrect” (so far as anything in Torah can be labeled as such). Second, Torah itself is incredibly economical with its language – every word has purpose. So how do we understand this simple yet challengingly redundant little phrase? Rabbi Michael Boyden offers a unique insight.  He suggests that lech lecha could mean, “Go to yourself.” Although at first glance this translation doesn't seem to fit into the overall context of the verse, it does make grammatical sense. Here is how the entire verse might read with his translation: “The Lord said to Abram: Go you, to yourself, from your native land, from your birthplace, from your father’s house, to the land that I will show you.” (Gen. 12:1). I wonder if our journey as a Jewish people parallels Abram’s journey to become the first Jew. Each of us in on a spiritual journey, just as collectively we are also on a spiritual journey – and the purpose of that journey may just be to move from where we are, from what is comfortable and familiar, towards an uncertain Promised future – where we can be true to ourselves, and even more, to God.