Lech Lecha has a strong start - a meaningful and impactful command from God to Avram.
"Adonoy said to Avram, Go from your land, from your birthplace, and from your father’s house, [and go] to the land that I will show you." While we were introduced to Avram and Sarai in the previous parsha in the geneology, there's not much about Avram's relationship with God. So when this is the first interaction we hear about and it is striking. The first command we hear from God's to Avram is not a simple request, either emotionally or logistically. It's part of what makes it so amazing that Avram has the faith to follow this command and begin the relationship that is at the heart of the founding of the Jewish people.
Rambam points out that the language used in the text highlights the emotional wear of this request. It's not just leave your home, which would include his native land and his birthplace, but
by mentioning each one it makes it all the more commendable and noteworthy. As Rambam says "The reason for mentioning out of thy country, and from thy birthplace, and from thy father’s house is that it is difficult for a person to leave the country wherein he dwells, where he has his friends and companions. This is true all the more if this be his native land, and all the more if his whole family is there." And Avram goes and begins his journey. In honor of the journey, I wanted to include journeying food for Shabbat dinner. What might be journeying food? TRAIL MIX! Check out these trail mix cookies for dessert.
Avram begins his journey with his wife, Sarai, and his nephew, Lot. At a certain point he and Lot agree to separate, but then Avram hears that Lot gets taken captive in a war of 5 kings in the region. To save his nephew, Avram goes into battle and is victorious. On his way back, he has this encounter:
"And King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was a priest of God Most High.
He blessed him, saying, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth."
There's a certain logic to the behavior of King Melchizedek, as Avram just defeated a bunch of other kings, this king probably wants to be in his good graces. Yet, the language of the "priest of God Most High" caught my attention since that is also how the king refers to Avram...So, is King Melchizedek also a follower of our one God? And if so, who is this King? I feel like we should know more about him. Midrashic interpretation is that King Melchizedek is actually Shem, son of Noah and that Salem will eventually be Jerusalem. So, King Melchizedek is in the family line from Noah
to Avram, those who interact with God. Genesis Rabbah (midrash) says that when Melchizedek/Shem gives Avram bread and wine it is an "intimation to him (Abraham) of the meal-offerings and libations which his descendants would offer there (in Salem which is Jeru-salem)." While you're likely to already have some bread (challah) and wine at Shabbat dinner, I wanted something a little more distinctive to pull attention to this interesting moment in the parsha and all it might mean looking both backward and forwards in the story of the Jewish people. So, here's an option for a Bread, Wine, and Cheese casserole. If you are making this for Shabbat dinner, you can use dairy chips in the cookies! Or maybe this is for Seudah Shlishit.
Shabbat Shalom & B'Tayavon!
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