Lech Lecha
Rabbi Jablinowitz
This week's parsha begins with Hashem commanding Avraham Avinu (Chapter 12, Pasuk 1), Lech Lecha Me'Artzecha U'Mi'Moladetacha U'Mibeis Avicha el Ha'Aretz Asher Ar'eka. Hashem commands Avraham to leave his home and his birthplace and go to a land He will show him. The Ramban asks, how is it that the Torah brings Gd's command to Avraham without previously indicating to us any hint of a special relationship between Hashem and Avraham? Surely the Torah should first tell us that Avraham was a tzadik before Gd, and then as a result gave him a special command to leave home and go to Eretz Yisrael.
The Sfas Emes answers this question by quoting from the Zohar. The Zohar Hakadosh teaches that the command of Lech Lecha is said constantly to all people from Hashem. It was not said specifically to Avraham Avinu. The reason, however, that the pasuk states Vayomer Hashem el Avram, Gd spoke specifically to Avraham Avinu, is because he heard the call. And since Avraham Avinu was the one who heard the call and accepted the challenge of Lech Lecha, it is considered as if the speaking was precisely to him.
This is the answer to the Ramban's question. The greatness of Avraham Avinu was not established beforehand and then resulted in the command to leave home. Rather the greatness of Avraham Avinu was in his hearing the call of Gd. His searching for Gd and seeking to establish a relationship with Hashem, this was his greatness and this is the meaning of Vayomer Hashem el Avram Lech Lecha. He accepted the call of Hashem as relating to him personally and directly.
The Meshech Chachmah comments on the words el Ha'Aretz Asher Ar'eka that Eretz Yisrael had already been established as a place of Avodas Hashem. This is was the place where Adam Harishon first brought a sacrifice, as did Noach. And this would be the place where Avraham Avinu would reach the pinnacle of Avodas Hashem with his willingness to sacrifice his son at Akeidas Yitzchak.
Therefore, as a result of coming to Eretz Yisrael Avraham would be able to reach his full potential. His potential in Avodas Hashem would reach fruition only in Eretz Yisrael. This is how the Ramban explains the meaning of the pasuk by the Akeidah (Chapter 22,Pasuk 12), Ki Atah Yadati Ki Yereih Elokim Atah. Now I know you are a Gd fearing person. And before it wasn't known? The Ramban explains that Hashem clearly knew that Avraham was fully capable of doing such an act. But the potential needed to be realized and until that point it could not be stated as being known that Avraham would perform the Akeidah.
This then is the meaning of the phrase el Ha'Aretz Asher Ar'eka. The Meshech Chachmah teaches that it means to the land Asher Ar'eka, that I will reveal you and I will show your greatness to the world. Eretz Yisrael is the place where one can truly reach their potential in Avodas Hashem and that was the calling that went out to Avraham Avinu and goes out to each and every one of us. Avraham, as the Sfas Emes taught, heard the call from Hashem and went on a spiritual journey searching for Hashem. And Hashem taught Avraham that in order to maximize one's potential in Avodas Hashem, he needs to leave his home and travel to Eretz Yisrael. For Eretz Yisrael is the land of Avodas Hashem and only in Eretz Yisrael can one maximize their potential and become known as an Eved Hashem in a manner similar to Avraham Avinu. And this taught by the words el Ha'Aretz Asher Ar'eka, to the place where I will reveal your greatness and dedication in serving Hashem.
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