Torah from Rabbi Saunders

Parshas Lech Lecha marks a seismic shift in the Torah’s narrative. For the first time, we meet Avraham Avinu not just as a man, but as a mission. Hashem commands him: “Lech lecha mei’artzecha…”  _“Go for yourself from your land…” (Bereishis 12:1). No roadmap. No guarantees. Just a divine call and a daunting journey.

What’s striking is not just that Avraham goes, it’s how he goes.

There’s no recorded hesitation. No dramatic monologue. No lament about leaving everything behind. Avraham simply gets up and goes. He doesn’t ask, “Why me?” or “What if it doesn’t work?” He doesn’t let the uncertainty paralyze him. He just moves forward.

And the challenges come fast:

• Famine in the land of Canaan
• Conflict with Pharaoh in Egypt
• War between kings
• Family tensions with Lot
• The long wait for children

Yet through it all, Avraham doesn’t spiral into despair. He doesn’t retreat. He doesn’t complain. He just keeps doing the job building altars, spreading monotheism, living with integrity.

This quiet strength is the foundation of Jewish faith. Avraham teaches us that greatness isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s about showing up, staying the course, and trusting the process even when the path is unclear and the obstacles are many.

So what does this mean for us?

In a world that often celebrates noise and spectacle, Avraham reminds us of the power of quiet perseverance. When life throws curveballs, when plans unravel, when dreams delay, we can choose to keep walking, keep building, keep believing.

Because like Avraham, we’re not just living , we’re on a mission.