INTRODUCTION

A child starts learning Chumash (Bible) from Bereishis. Many yeshivas start from Lech Lecha because Parshios Bereishis and Noach are too difficult to understand. Even for an adult, there are many difficulties involved. The first two chapters of Chumash Bereishis must be taught by a good - a brilliant - Rebbe. The beginnings and development of our world existence are very important for us to master.

We must also know about the six days of creation - of the first seven days, including the seventh day - including the Shabbos day.

We must learn about Adam and Chava (Eve), the first couple created by HaShem.

We must learn about the Garden of Eden, about the place where Adam and Chava lived at first and then were told to leave this beautiful garden.

We must learn about the Mabul era (the Flood) and the destruction of the entire world - why it happened - what brought it about.

We must learn about the righteousness of Noach and how he and his entire family were saved from the Flood so that they could continue the existence of the world.

In truth, to understand Parasha Bereishis and Parasha Noach well, we need to delve into brilliant commentaries. We must learn the Medrashim which will open the Chumash for us so that we will understand the purpose of world existence as HaShem wanted it to be.

LECH LECHA

At the end of Parashas Noach, we learn about the birth of Avrohom. Who is he? What are his qualities? What type of a person is he?

Suddenly, at the beginning of Lech Lecha, HaShem speaks to Avrohom and tells him: "Lech Lecha, leave this land and go to the land that I will show you. Go to Eretz Canaan (to Eretz Yisrael). Not knowing any Midrashim concerning the greatness and the Tzidkus of Avrahom, we question:

Why did HaShem speak to Avrohom?

Why was he chosen to be the first of our forefathers?

Why didn't HaShem speak to Terach (the father of Avrohom), to Lot, or to any other person living at that time?

Please remember that nobody knows anything about Avrohom, about his qualities or his way of life.

The Sfas Emes asks these questions and rightfully so. His answer is beautiful. My Rebbe, Rabbi Mendlowitz, was my principal when I attended Yeshiva and Mesifta Torah Vodaas. He loved every thought that the Sfas Emes said in his explaining various sentences and chapters of our Holy Torah. I heard about the Sfas Emes from my Rebbe.

The Sfas Emes answers his questions in a brisk and a most brilliant manner. He says: "In truth, G-d spoke to the entire world - Lech Lacha. Go forth into the world� create a world that HaShem would approve of. HaShem wanted the world to continue in existence.

Not a Mabul existence.

Not an existence as the generation that built a tower into the sky.

Not a tower that man could climb into the upper reaches of the stratosphere and negate the purposes of G-d.

HaShem told everybody, Lech Lecha� Go forth and create a world that He (G-d) would want to create� that would find a purpose for the world to exist... that would find a purpose for man to exist and live according to G-d's wishes and plans.

So, Lech Lecha was told to everybody. Lecha Lecha was for everybody to hear. But nobody heard. Terach didn't hear these words� nor did Lot� nor did anyone who lived at that time, barely 2000 years since the creation of the world.
Avrohom heard the words: "go forth." He immediately packed his belongings. He gathered all the people who would follow him and he set forth on the first journey of man following the word of G-d.

This is the greatness of the Lech Lecha portion in the Chumash. If you will open your ears and listen carefully, you will hear the words Lech Lecha, as they were meant for you. If every single Jew in this world would adapt Lech Lecha as his slogan in life, they would get going and do something to show their allegiance to G-d. Lech Lecha means: "go forth in learning Torah; don't be satisfied with just a little psat - a little meaning." Go forth with the education you are planning for your children; we want them to grow up to become talmedei chachamim. All of you who are reading this: wake up and start doing something with your life. And every Jew that adopts the slogan of Lech Lecha will never be satisfied with what you are. You will know that you can do better� become more active in the community� more learned. You can help another Jew to become a better Jew. This is the Lech Lecha I leave to all of you who are reading this Dvar Torah.