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I-3 Lech Lecha: Go You© Mary C. Legg
Oct 28, 2005
Lech Lecha opens "Go you" and is interpreted as go to yourself or go from yourself, but the imperative of journey is clear. Abraham is commanded to leave his land, birthplace and father's house to travel into the unknown. The history of the Jews is begun with the covenant established between Abraham and God with the promise that his descendents will be like the dust of the earth and as numerous as the stars in the heavens. And although we honor Abraham as the Father of Nations, he is dominated by Sarah's demands and jealousies. Sarah insists on Abraham having relations with Hagar since she is beyond child-bearing age. She understands the need for children to generate an inheritance; but when Hagar is pregnant and bears Ishmael, Sarah jealously drives her from the house. Hagar and her son are abandoned in the desert to die, but God intervenes, sparing her life and promising that her son Ishmael will also become a father of nations. The passage is read during the High Holidays, but frequently skipped over. Ishmael is cast in the villain's role while Sarah is extolled. Frequently in Biblical literature, pairs are put into opposing positions to contrast attributes to draw lessons: Jacob and Esau, Rachel and Leah. Not only Abraham leaves his land, birthplace and father's house; but also Hagar and not only Abraham experiences an encounter with God.
Torah: Gn 12-17:27 JPS
http://learn.jtsa.edu/topics/parashah/jp... Haftorah: Is 40: 27-41:16 JPS
http://learn.jtsa.edu/topics/parashah/jp...
Aliyot:
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1. Gn 12:1-13
2. Gn 12: 13-13: 4
3. Gn 13:5-18
4. Gn 14:1-20
5. Gn 14:21-15:6
6. Gn 15:7-17: 6
7. Gn 17:7-27
IN FOCUS
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"The Lord said to Abraham, "Go forth from your native land and from your father's house to the land I will show you."
Gn 12:1
GOOD BYE, FAREWELL TO HARAN
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If you came here to seek parasha or my writing, I hope you will take your time to read what is here and seek me elsewhere. Parasha Lech Lecha is about journeys of the soul. Suite101.com is in turmoil and changing its organization -- again. And I am practicing scales in front of the computer. For me, Suite101.com has come to an end. All writers were dismissed with short warning on 21 October. Yes, I could apply to be a writer under the new organization, but the terms are not acceptable; besides I am working on smoothing out scales in preparation for making a journey of the soul to Italy to sing an audition for Mirella Freni. I don't know what will happen, but the invitation to audition entered the email box just as I began Lech Lecha: Go to yourself.
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