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On Wednesday evening I had the pleasure of hearing Ari Shavit, author of My Promised Land, speak here in Baltimore. I was struck by his admiration for not only the brave immigrants who founded the modern miracle that is Israel, but also those who came to North America for over two centuries and created the greatest Jewish diaspora community in history. Both groups of immigrants came with little in the way of "earthly" possessions, but against all odds built or contributed to great nations.

This week's Torah reading, Lech L'cha, begins the story of Abraham and, thus, the story of the Jewish people. Both stories are full of trials and tribulations, moments of great exultation and deep reflection, and probably more questions than answers. But through it all there is a momentum, a sense of progress, that has its source in the opening words "lech l'cha." God instructs Abraham to leave his father's home, and all with which he is familiar, and to go and found a great nation. It is significant that Abraham must leave physically and journey to a new land to fulfill God's direction.  Abraham is an active participant (a mover and a shaker), as he shapes his own future and the futures of his succeeding generations. It is not likely that Abraham could have imagined all that was in store for him in the journey that unfolds over the next several parashot, but with God's urging and blessing he takes the initiative to "go forth."

Whenever I hear the words "lech l'cha," I think of the generations of Jews who have followed this commandment and Abraham's example. Perhaps they did not leave the comfort of their father's home; maybe it was a forced exit or fleeing a desperate situation. Nevertheless, all of these Jews left their homes to better their circumstances and shape their own futures. I think of those who were forced from Jerusalem by the Romans, from Spain by the Inquisition, or from Russia by the pogroms. There were those fortunate enough to escape the rise of Nazism in Europe and the Ethiopians who have found a new home in Israel. I think of my own grandmother who left her village near Kiev when she was six years old, and accompanied only by her nine and twelve year old brothers came to this country. I thank God for giving each of them the wisdom, spirit, and determination to "go forth" and better their lives and the lives of all of us who have followed.

Have a restful Shabbat.