Parshat Lech Lecha (translated as "You shall go") is a parsha that represents transitions. It is here where we are further introduced to the character of Avram and his wife Sarai as they begin their travels. The parsha opens with perhaps one of the most quoted passages of Breisheet, if not the entire five books of the Torah as God chooses Avram to be the father of a nation, a nation which will be granted blessings, land and progeny through Avram. The verses, are the first steps of a family narrative, leading to a national narrative, to the Jewish story. It is the first foray into monotheism and the first mention of a promised land.
The LORD said to Abram, “Go forth from your native land and from your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation,
And I will bless you;
I will make your name great
And you shall be a blessing. (Genesis. 12:1,2)
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־אַבְרָ֔ם לֶךְ־לְךָ֛ מֵאַרְצְךָ֥ וּמִמּֽוֹלַדְתְּךָ֖ וּמִבֵּ֣ית אָבִ֑יךָ אֶל־הָאָ֖רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַרְאֶֽךָּ׃
וְאֶֽעֶשְׂךָ֙ לְג֣וֹי גָּד֔וֹל וַאֲבָ֣רֶכְךָ֔ וַאֲגַדְּלָ֖ה שְׁמֶ֑ךָ וֶהְיֵ֖ה בְּרָכָֽה׃
We are all influenced by events in our lives that lead us to different journeys. This week, on the eve of the election for the president of the United States, I thought that I would be writing about the confusing journey that has been the story ofcampaign this past year and the confusing direction going forward, no matter who the president will be, but instead I am writing about weddings, always a happy subject.
Two days ago we had the privilege of attending a wedding, and the event propelled me to think about a different journey, which is the journey that each bride or groom or other committed couples make when they formally begin their lives together.
When we have the privilege of sharing a new couple's wedding, I am always reminded of the long and complicated journey that a marriage is. I think about the years of making carpooling arrangements, the birth of children, the diapers, the sports, the sleepless nights, the preparation of thousands of meals. Mixed in with the ongoing everyday events and occasional big life cycle events, is the joy of time accumulated together over the years when those first steps of marriage become just fuzzy memories. This is the journey presented on this page today.
Wishing you ease in this collective journey that we continue together.
May we hear good news soon.
Leann
PS This is my 493d post and I am always happy to hear from readers as we approach the 500 mark. I am eager to hear your thoughts about Words Have Wings. What works? Do you have a favorite post? Something that moved you or a family member? If so, I would love to hear from you. Thank you!
Lech Lecha, Lechi Lach
He stands
clasping the hands of his parents,
swathed in white; he is a child for a long last minute.
His feet face the east, his gaze steady
as his eyes seek the eyes of his bride who walks toward him.
He is Abraham, aware of a voice calling him to a new place.
He is a traveler, as were his ancestors.
There is no staff in his hand, but he is preparing for his journey.
Lech Lecha.
She stands, two feet firmly planted beneath yards of lace and satin.
A room of eyes hope tocatch a glimpse of her, her shining eyes,
black pupils blossoming with anticipation.
She is ready for her journey.
Lechi Lach.
At this moment she is Sarah, a princess of charm and grace,
prepared to journey to a new land.
She is Rivka, a child now, a bird ready to fly out of a nest lovingly feathered by her parents.
She is Miriam, singing at shoreline, as others dance among her.
She is you as you once stood firmly under a trellis of rosebuds.
She is your mother, he is your father and those who came before them.
She is every bride, nested under fringes and blessings,
clasping tightly the hand of her partner, ready for their journey.
Lechi Lach.
Her journey begins as a seven slow circles, embroidering a silk web around them
as she walks those words.
I am going.
I am traveling to a land otherwise unknown.
Lech Lecha.
He lifts his foot and a glass is broken.
The shattered glass is left behind.
The bride and the groom join hands.
Together they are one.
Lech Lecha, lechi lach
as they step forward to begin their journey together.
May it be fruitful and kind.
לך לך
Other posts from Words Have Wings about Parshat Lech Lecha
https://www.wordshavewings.net/post/hagar-s-prayer. Hagar's Prayer
And one poem about marriage from Masechet Sotah
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