This week, we’re going to take a look at two Hebrew words, "Lek Lekah. לך לך" They open up the Torah portion reading of Genesis 12:1-17:27—entitled, Lek Lekah.
These two Hebrew words לך לך Lek Lekah, are from the same word ילך (Yelek), but in command form. They literally mean, "go, you go." Their origin, however, is from the Hebrew root word "Halak הלך" which means, "to go, to move, to walk, to lead"
"Halak הלך" also infers "to walk, as in the manner or way a person lives their life."
And, because the usage of the word "walk" is so common in our every day lives, we rarely stop to think about the term in light of relationship with G-D.
Consider that "the voice of the LORD GOD walked in the garden", "Enoch walked with GOD and was not", "Noach walked with GOD", and Abraham was told by GOD to "walk before Him."
So, what is G-D trying to teach us about the word "הלך walk" and its role in relationship between man and G-D?
First, direction. Walking has to do with the direction you are moving.
Have you ever stopped to think that all of you extremities, from your eyes to your feet, they all face forward.
Forward.
Forward is a direction.
So why did G-D create you facing forward?
We get a glimpse into the answer when G-D says to Abram in Genesis 17:1, “I Am “El-Shaddai” G-D Almighty (the beneficent one who daily loads you with benefits, the one who is your shield and great reward; walk before Me and be whole-hearted which means, with moral integrity.”
G-D tells Abram to “walk before Him.” Denoting that G-D wanted Abram to lead his family and ultimately the nations in learning the ways of Adonai (the L-RD, justice and judgement. It also meant that G-D would come behind Him confirming and revealing Himself through the actions, choices and deeds of Abram.
G-D was confident that Abram would choose “moral right, righteousness, truth and justice” over “immoral, inequity, and injustice.” So much so, that His instruction “walk before Me” made Abram a pioneer, a trailblazer in creating the path and space for G-D to manifest Himself to the inhabitants of Canaan. For G-D to endow Abram with the title “father of many nations.” For G-D to build, create, and shape the identity of a people and a nation, the Jewish people and the nation—the house of Israel.
If Abram, whose name was changed to Abraham after G-D calls him to lead, only walked with G-D, both G-D and Abraham would have remained inward in their relationship as is exhibited with Adam, Enoch, and Noach. All were defined as “walking with G-D.” Each obedient to the call of G-D but notably none of them changed their world. They may have saved themselves and their house, but they didn’t impact their world with the knowledge of G-D.
On the other hand, G-D knew if He was going to have influence among the nations, He needed a friend who was willing to act on His behalf. One who would take the vision and run with it. One who internalized the ways of HaShem, the authority of HaShem, and the desires of HaShem for the purpose of revealing Him along with “a better way, a blessed way” to mankind.
And, in turn, G-D would reward Him with abundance, exceedingly bless Him, ensure that none of His words fall to the ground. In other words, G-D would back up Abram, even when He disagreed with his actions—as we see in the encounters with Paroah and Avimelech.
This idea runs throughout the Scripture.
I am reminded of Samuel, whose words G-D did not allow to fall the ground.
Israel, too, understood the priority of action when they responded to G-D’s moral law at Mt. Sinai saying,”כל אשר דבר יהוה נעשה ונשמע” “all that the LORD has spoken, “we will do and we will hear.””
Notice the first act, we will do.
This was Abram’s response when G-D called him out of Babylon (the land of UR) to go to a land that He would show him. Lek, Lekah - Go, you go. And because Abram obeyed G-D in his going, G-D did for Abraham everything he promised.
Here, let me interject the whole verse of Lek Lekah. HaShem said, “Get you out of your country, and from your kindred, and from your father’s house, unto the Land that I will show you.”
Last week in Episode 2, I spoke about the steps G-D takes to ensure that His vision and purpose is completed—Each step required Havdil, “separation. " Here we see that for Abraham to fulfill his purpose and G-D’s commandments, three levels of separation were required—your country, your kindred and your father’s house.
Chazal (the Rabbis) says, “These are the main influences which mould a person’s thoughts and actions. He was to cut himself completely adrift from all associations that could possibly hinder his mission. A similar “call” comes to Abraham descendants in every age and clime, to separate themselves from all associations and influences that are inimical (contrary, counter productive, obstacles) to their Faith and Destiny.
It’s important to interject, Avram did not leave behind his wife or any under his personal care. I want to mention this because too often men and women who have a vision or feel a calling to something higher, leave behind members of the family they are personally responsible for—Avram in all the areas of separation did not abrogate his personal or collective responsibility. In other words, Individual pursuit did not trump collective responsibility.
Let me end with this, when you have a vision, a dream to go and to do something that would elevate the world, introduce greater purpose and empowerment to others, infuse moral clarity into lifestyle, share G-D’s love and laws, do it—“walk before G-D.” And let G-D come behind you confirming and rewarding your labor, your mission. Let Him show Himself strong on your behalf.
Never be afraid to step out and make a difference. Consider that when G-D created your backside he added padding, and for some of us, too much padding :-) Why? To cushion the fall. He was saying, even when you fall down—I got you. I will pick you up, dust you off, and set you back on the right path.
One last thought. We started with the insight that G-D created us forward facing. Which begs an obvious question, who has our back?
Yesterday, as I was walking behind a friend and sharing the thoughts of this podcast, I found myself looking at her back. And realized, that in moving forward we will always find someone ahead of us. And, if that’s the case, then G-D not only promised to have our backs, but he also fashioned us in a way to ensure that we have the backs of those ahead of us. That is part of HaShem’s mandate to Love thy neighbor and be thy brothers keeper.
Today,G-D wants you to Trust Him and go! Lek Lekah.
Hadassah
