ABRAHAM: FIRST TO THE LAND
In last week’s Torah portion, we read of the journey of Abram to his new home in the Land of Israel, as promised to him by God. The opening verse of Genesis 12 uses a very interesting phrase which has the power to help us in these times of suffering. But if you read the text in English, you will probably skip right over it. The verse reads “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you” (Gen. 12:1). The first word is the real key here. In the original Hebrew the word “go” is actually two words: lech lecha (לֶךְ-לְךָ). This can be literally translated as “go towards yourself”.
A JOURNEY WITHIN OURSELVES
Why does the Bible choose to use this odd phrasing? The point is that despite the fact that Abram has never been to the Land of Israel, he is told to travel to where he really belongs. It is a journey inwards towards his authentic spiritual homeland, the place where his soul can achieve true peace. Since the days of Abram, the Land of Israel has been a beacon, a homeland which has allowed the Jewish people to return to their authentic roots. In this difficult times when the State of Israel is being threatened, we can derive solace from the unique Hebrew words spoken by God to Abram: stay put, remain dedicated, be true to yourself.
THE POWER OF THE HEBREW LANGUAGE
Reading the Bible in its original Hebrew is by all means the most powerful way of accessing the true meaning of the text. If you are reading the Hebrew Bible in English you are only seeing half the picture. Begin your journey today to the Promised Land by enrolling in eTeacher’s online Biblical Hebrew course.
