Parshas Lech Lecha: Change We Can Believe In!

“Abra(ha)m took his wife Sara(i) and Lot,… and all the souls that they made in Haran.” –Genesis 12:5

“THAT THE MADE IN HARAN: They are said to have made the “souls” because Abraham and his wife Sara showed these people the truth of monotheism, and converted them all.” –Rashi ibid

Maimonides traces our belief in monotheism back to Abraham. The commentary RaABaD asks that Shem and Ever headed up a yeshivah teaching Torah long before Abraham’s arrival on the scene. Even Isaac and Jacob studied under them. Why aren’t the teachings of monotheism attributed back to them? Why aren’t they considered to be the spiritual fathers of Judaism?

Rabbi Joseph Caro (1488-1575) explains that although Shem and Ever taught Torah faithfully to all who sought them out, they remained ensconced in their sheltered study hall, only imparting the wisdom of truth to those who came to them. Abraham however, was the first to call out in the name of G-d. Not only that, Abraham was so committed to the cause that he devoted every fiber of his being towards spreading the word of G-d in the world. He put aside every other matter of importance in his life, and he directed all of his energies into teaching the world about G-d. Shem and Ever believed in G-d, and taught a few disciples about G-d. Abraham made it his mission to teach the world about G-d. The lasting impact on the world was only had by Abraham. Therefore he merited to be the spiritual father of Judaism and of monotheistic belief in the world.

What ultimately differentiated Abraham from everybody else? We know that he changed the world, but why did he do it?

He came to the realization that he possessed a priceless gift, and he wanted to share that gift with everybody, despite the fact that the recipients had no interest in his gift. He knew that once they discovered the gift, they would be forever grateful to him. And share that gift he did. He opened up shop on the desert highway, he stood on the corner preaching about G-d, and he made his case to whomever he possibly could. And we are reaping the benefits of his actions today. He truly believed in his cause.

This past Tuesday, history was made in the United States of America. The man behind the slogan: “Change we can believe in” was elected to the highest office in the USA. How was the very long road to the White House paved by this fresh senator? It was carved out by his fellow Americans who believed in his cause. They went door to door teaching people about change. They cold called millions of people to convince them that it is time to change. They quit their jobs, and abandoned their life pursuits in order to effect change. They believed in their cause and they did whatever they could do to change the world.

As Jews, we truly know all about “change we can believe in.” The greatest change is by aligning oneself to G-d, and his Torah and mitzvos. Let us learn from the events that transpired this past Tuesday, and let us create our own history by learning Torah, living Torah, and teaching Torah, just as Abraham taught us. Let us not be ashamed to approach our friends and associates and invite them over for a Shabbos meal. Let us also partake in “Change we can believe in!”