Leading with Jewish Values - Lech Lecha 5785

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Abraham is the first of our three forefathers. He is, then, the father of the Jewish Nation and its founder. Yet he is referred to in the Torah as the “father of a multitude of nations.”


Adam and Noach are universal leaders. Adam is the father of all humankind, as is Noach since the rest of humanity was wiped out in the Flood, as we learned in last week’s Parsha. 


Our forefather Yaakov (also called Yisrael) and our Moshe Rabbeinu were Jewish leaders. The Jews are known as B’nai Yisrael - Israel’s children, and we are all descended from him (or have joined his children by conversion).  Moshe took us out of Egypt and brought us the Torah. He is to this day referred to as Moshe Rabbeinu, our teacher and leader. 


Avraham has both distinctions. On one hand he is the founder of Judaism. He recognized Hashem in a time when the world was idolatrous, and Hashem made a special connection with him, promising the Land of Israel to his children and that his legacy would always continue through the Jewish people. 


Hashem sealed this covenant by circumcision, before his son Yitzchak was born. Yitzchak was holy from birth and was the son Hashem chose to carry on Avraham’s legacy. In addition to the Bris, at that time Hashem changed Avram’s name to Avraham. As the Torah explains, Abram was unable to have Yitzchak but Avraham was. So the name change was for the perpetuation of the Jewish nation.  Sarai’s name was also changed to Sarah, because Sarai could not give birth, but Sarah now had a different destiny.  


Yet in a seeming paradox, the Torah explains Avraham’s name change as relating to the rest of the world. His previous name Avram means father of Aram, his birth place, and Avraham means “Av Hamon Goyim,” father of a multitude of nations.  Sarah’s name change also implies a broader impact.  Sarai means my leader, while Sarah means a leader for everyone


As implied by his new name. Avraham impacted the entire world. He and Sarah brought myriads of people to faith in one G-d and the understanding of ethics and morals. But this name implying universal leadership was given specifically as he was preparing for the birth of the next father of the Jewish people. 


There is a message here that endures to this day. The Torah impacts the entire world. The Seven Universal Laws of Noah are taught in the Torah, and it is part of our mission on earth to be a “light unto the nations.”  


Avraham became the Father of a Multitude of Nations through the covenant Hashem made with the Jewish nation. We spread light in the world by being true to who we are. We can’t  affect those around us by abandoning our own heritage and trying to blend in. It is by firm and proud adherence to the Torah and observance of Mitzvot in the Jewish tradition that we are able to positively influence the world. 


Adapted from the new Chumash “The Book of Genesis” with commentary by Rabbi Yanky Tauber. Available in our office. 

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