Parashat Lech Lecha – A Legacy of Emunah and Bitachon (2022)

May this be l’iluy nishmat (for the elevation of the soul of) HaRav Shlomo ben R’ Yitzchak, whose eyes always saw the good in others and in every situation. May this Dvar Torah be a zechut (merit) for his neshama (soul).

It is also dedicated as a refuah shleimah (complete healing) for Moshe Menachem Mendel ben Sarah Leah, and for all the wounded in Eretz Yisrael (the Land of Israel). May they see yeshuot (salvations) and nechamot (comforts), and may the passuk:

“V’shavu banim l’gvulam”“And your children shall return to their borders” (Yirmiyahu 31:16)be fulfilled speedily in our days.

The Power of 100

The gematria (numerical value) of Lech Lecha is 100. Chazal (our sages of blessed memory) teach us to strive for 100 berachot (blessings) daily. When we consciously thank HaKadosh Baruch Hu (The Holy One, Blessed be He), we become more aware of His constant presence and kindness. These blessings bring both yeshuot (salvations) and more berachot (blessings) into our lives.

The Journey Begins: Avraham Avinu’s First Test

With this parasha, the formation of Am Yisrael (the Nation of Israel) begins. At age 75, Avraham is commanded to leave Charan. This is known as the first of ten nisyonot (tests) he would face.

Chazal point out a difference between the historical Avram and Avraham Avinu (our forefather Avraham). Through these trials, he forged a spiritual legacy that lives within each of us. We inherit not only his DNA but his spiritual strength—passed down to help us face our own tests.

What Makes a Test?

Why isn't the episode of Ur Kasdim (the fiery furnace) explicitly mentioned in the Torah? Many mefarshim (commentators), including Rav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch, explain it was a test Avraham chose on his own. He jumped in from personal conviction—unlike Lech Lecha, which was a direct command from Hashem.

A nisayon (test) becomes transformative when it:

• Forces us out of our comfort zone

• Challenges logic

• Demands full emunah u’bitachon (faith and trust)

From Lech Lecha to Lech El

The first test: Lech Lecha – for Avraham’s own spiritual growth.The final test: Lech El – the Akeidat Yitzchak (Binding of Isaac), for future generations.

The message is clear: when Hashem says lech (“go”), it’s a call to rise to greatness—to be a nes (miracle, or banner), to guide others. The word nisayon (test) shares the root with nes. That’s what Avraham became—a guiding flag for us all.

The Power of Bitachon

At age 75—the gematria of bitachon (trust)—Avraham leaves his birthplace, family, and everything familiar. He doesn’t ask:

• “Where will I go?”

• “How will I survive?”

He simply trusts Hashem.

The name Avraham connects to the passuk:“Rabot machashavot b’lev ish, v’atzat Hashem hi takum”“Many thoughts are in the heart of man, but it is Hashem’s plan that will endure.” (Mishlei 19:21)

When famine struck, Avraham didn’t complain—he built a mizbeach (altar) and thanked Hashem.

Facing the Four Kings: A War of Faith

Avraham’s battle to save Lot involved four powerful kings (including Nimrod, who defied Hashem at the Tower of Babel) against five rebellious ones.

Why does the Torah highlight this global conflict?

The Ramban (Nachmanides) explains: the four kings represent the four major galuyot (exiles):

• Bavel (Babylonia)

• Paras u’Madai (Persia & Media)

• Yavan (Greece)

• Edom (Rome/Western exile)

Avraham's victory foreshadows our eventual geulah (redemption). Just as he prevailed, so too will Am Yisrael in the end.

Alone but Never Truly Alone

When Lot is captured, Avraham sets out to save him—not because Lot deserved it, but because Avraham had promised, “Wherever you go, I will come for you.”

He took 318 students. In the end, only Eliezer remained. Chazal teach that the gematria of Eliezer is 318—implying he went alone, with just one loyal helper and Hashem.

No logic. No odds. But with Hashem, that was enough.

Bread and Wine: The Secret Weapon

Upon Avraham’s return, Malki-Tzedek (Shem, the son of Noach) brings lechem v’yayin (bread and wine).

Chazal explain:

• Lechem (bread) = Torah Shebichtav (Written Torah)

• Yayin (wine) = Torah She’be’al Peh (Oral Torah)

What gave Avraham strength? Torah. That is our secret weapon—then and now.

The Eternal Message

Today, we face our own nisyonot—globally and personally. Pain. War. Confusion. But remember:

“Rabot machashavot b’lev ish, v’atzat Hashem hi takum”“Many thoughts are in the heart of man, but it is Hashem’s plan that will endure.”

We don’t understand everything. But we can still:

• Strengthen our emunah u’bitachon (faith and trust)

• Trust that Hashem has a plan

• Keep doing what’s right, even when it defies logic

• Say our 100 berachot with sincerity

• Remember that the spiritual DNA of Avraham Avinu lives inside us

May we all merit to walk the path of Lech Lecha—with courage, faith, and clarity that Hashem is guiding us each step of the way.