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In our Torah portion this week, Lech Lecha (Genesis 12:1-17:27), God calls to Avram: “Go forth from your land, your birthplace, and your father’s house, to the land that I will show you.” (12:1) This is the first divine command directed to an individual in the Torah — a call not just to move, but to act. The medieval commentator, Rashi, comments that “lech lecha” means “go for yourself — for your own good, and for your own benefit.” The journey Avram undertakes is one that requires courage, faith, and a willingness to take responsibility for shaping the future.

The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 39:1) adds that Avram was like a person who saw a world “burning” and asked, “Who is the owner of this palace?” God responds, “I am the Owner.” This story shows that Avram could not stand idly by — he felt compelled to engage, to repair, to respond. His journey begins not with comfort, but with responsibility. Later, God tells him: “And I will make of you a great nation… and you shall be a blessing.” (12:2)

Later rabbinic commentators suggest that Avram’s mission was not merely for himself, but for the world, “so that through him all nations shall be blessed.” Jewish life begins, then, with an act of engagement: going out, taking initiative, and seeking to better society. Thus, this vision of Lech Lecha mirrors our own call to civic responsibility. Judaism teaches that we are obligated to care for the welfare of our community and the society we inhabit. As the prophet Jeremiah instructs the exiles in Babylon: “Seek the peace of the city to which I have exiled you, and pray to God on its behalf; for in its peace you shall have peace.” (Jeremiah 29:7)

Our tradition understands this as a duty to participate actively in the life of the community so that we can contribute to its peace and justice. The Talmud reinforces this idea with the principle “dina d’malkhuta dina”— “the law of the land is the law” (Nedarim 28a), which underscores our obligation to uphold and engage with the civic structures where we live.

Voting, then, is one expression of that obligation. It is a modern means by which we fulfill our ancient covenantal role which is to act, to take responsibility, to pursue justice. The Torah commands: “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof — Justice, justice shall you pursue.” (Deut. 16:20) The repetition of “tzedek” reminds us that justice requires both intention and action. Casting a vote is a way to pursue justice; not merely to speak of values, but to help enact them.

Moreover, our sages taught: “In a place where there are no people (those with decency), strive to be a person (of decency).” (Pirkei Avot 2:5) Avram was that person. When others were silent or indifferent, he acted. In our own generation, we are likewise called to act – to be present, to participate, and to shape the moral character of our society.

Finally, Lech Lecha means “go forth for yourself.” The journey of responsibility ultimately shapes who we become. Each act of engagement, each decision to contribute, refines our character and affirms our partnership with God in the ongoing work of creation.

As we approach this week’s elections, Lech Lecha reminds us that Jewish life begins with a journey, not of withdrawal, but of engagement. To “go forth” today means to take part in the covenant of community: to act, to vote, to build, to bless.

May we, like Avram and Sarai, have the courage to step forward, the faith to trust that our actions matter, and the vision to be a blessing to others in all that we do.

SHABBAT SHALOM