You Matter - Lech Lecha

You Matter
Parshat Lech Lecha

In this week's portion our forefather Avraham was told "לך לך -go forth from your land, from your birthplace, and from your father's house, to the land that I will show you" (Bereishis 12:1). G-d instructs Abraham to go forth and begin his special journey, to spread monotheism to the world.

Many have often wondered why the Torah uses the words Lech lecha-לך לך, "Go for yourself"? It seems that if G-d was wanting Abraham and Sarah to do His work, the Torah should have just said Go-לך, why the extra word לך, for yourself?

Rashi explains that Abraham and Sarah would personally benefit from this arduous undertaking and would be blessed by it.

Perhaps, however, there is a deeper message, (in addition to Rashi's explanation) that we can glean from this extra word.

Every human being was created in the image of G-d. No matter the race, religion, gender or political party we vote for (something to remember this week), we all stand the same before our maker. However, while we are similar in so many ways, we are also each created slightly differently from each other. Each one of us has his/her unique characteristics, persona, and abilities, which makes us a truly unique creation.

We are meant to use our unique characteristics and abilities and serve Hashem in a way that only each of us, individually, can. Because in essence, we all have something unique and special to offer that no one else in this universe can. As the Talmud states, "just like no two people look exactly alike, so too, no two people think exactly alike."

G-d was telling Abraham and Sarah, and by extension, each and every one of us, YOU MATTER. You must bring your goods to the table. לך לך-bring your unique qualities and do the job for which you were created.

Am Yisrael is not complete without you, as no one can do your job. You really are indispensable.

Shabbat Shalom