We meet Abraham, who, at 75, leaves his home in Mesopotamia, at God’s command, and travels to Canaan with his wife, Sarah, and his nephew, Lot, to become the father of a great nation in this portion. Abraham meets a number of challenges which test his faith in God and his resourcefulness. He has a son with Hagar, Sarah’s handmaid, since Sarah appears to be barren. He also enters into covenant (b’rit) with God which is symbolized by circumcision (b’rit milah), thus laying the ground for the development of the Jewish people and its special relationship to God.
Torah Reading:
Lech-Lecha: Genesis 12:1 – 17:27
Haftarah:
Isaiah 40:27 – 41:16
