Lech Lecha: Finding blessings in life’s unexpected journeys

There’s a chill in the air this time of year. The leaves loosen their grip and fall gently to the earth, as autumn’s dazzling colors remind us that change, even when beautiful, is often tinged with loss.

It seems fitting that in this season our Torah calls upon Abraham to step into an unknown future.

“Lech lecha,” God calls. “Go forth…from your land, from your birthplace, from your father’s house … to the land I will show you.”

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Abraham must leave what is precious without knowing what awaits. In essence, he receives direction, but no itinerary.

We know something of Abraham’s dilemma, do we not?

Some journeys we choose. We select a school, begin a career, move to a new city. On these occasions, we set out eagerly.

Other journeys, however, are chosen for us. Illness interrupts our plans. Loss reprioritizes our world. Others’ decisions alter our life, oft times through no fault of one’s own; at other times, through the indifference or malign intent of another. In such moments, we may feel lost, afraid, angry and, surely, at such times, we know the painful sting of betrayal.

Still other journeys begin with a call, as did Abraham’s. Someone needs us. An unexpected opportunity or responsibility presents itself. We witness something we cannot unknow and can no longer remain where we are.

Five years ago next month, I was sent on a journey I had neither chosen nor ever anticipated. The call came from out of the blue, laid me low and forever altered my family’s life.

Unlike Abraham, I remained in the same city, yet the familiar landscape of my life was rendered foreign. So knocked off balance was I that it took me time to regain my footing, take a first tentative step, and then another. With the encouragement and support of dear and loyal friends and family, steadily I rediscovered within myself the capacity to keep moving ahead.

Sometimes, only in looking back do we recognize the moment when an ignominious ending begins to look like a fresh beginning. We say, “I would never have wished for this, but look where this journey has brought me.”
Some see God’s handiwork herein. Others remain unconvinced of divine providence, especially when it was others’ lack of character or caring that first set our journey in motion.

Sometimes we may be of both minds: grateful for where we have arrived, yet still grieving the cost to reputation and career and all that was lost. Yet still, we go forward.

Significantly, alongside God’s call to Abraham come these words: Vehyeh berakhah…“Be a blessing!” These words give Abraham’s journey and ours a purpose.

We need not call every setback and reversal a blessing in order to see blessings in the life we build thereafter.

Resilience, a clear conscience and a commitment to our timeless values help us live purposefully after upheaval or deliberate wrongdoing has been our lot. And the Torah’s call to “be a blessing” gives us the reason neither to descend into bitterness nor to pursue retribution.

The leaves are falling. The landscape is changing. And, once again, we hear the divine call: Lech lecha. Go forth.

Whether willingly, reluctantly, or because life leaves us no choice, as we go on our way, may we find strength to take the next step, courage to discover who we might yet become, and the determination to always make of our life and its journey a blessing. PJC

Rabbi Aaron Bisno is the senior rabbi at Temple Ohav Shalom in the North Hills. Additionally, he serves as the Frances F. & David R. Levin Rabbinic Scholar at Beit Kulanu. This column is a service of the Greater Pittsburgh Jewish Clergy Association.