The final words of last week’s Torah portion tell us of the death of Avram’s father.  It is in this moment of grief and mourning that our parshah this week begins with the words, “Vayomer Adonai el Avram: Lech L’cha.”  God spoke to Avram and said “Lech l’cha.”  Not just Lech, which means go forth, but adding the additional, seemingly unnecessary word, L’cha, which combine then to mean – Go Forth To Yourself.

Avram had just experienced the death of his father.  In that, he lost his footing in the world.  Who are we in the face of the loss of all that we thought we knew in the world?  It is in this moment of loss and grief that Avram begins his journey to create something utterly new; carrying with him only his history and his past experiences as baggage.

God tells him: “Go forth from your native land and from your father’s house to the land that I will show you.”  God demands that, in order to become who he is destined to be, he must leave everything he has known – he must leave the idols of his past behind and forge an entirely new identity.

Avram stands at a crossroads – at the cusp between what was and what could be. 

Similarly, our country finds itself at a pivotal moment in our own national story.  Whether you are happy with the results of the election, or grieved by them, we all stand together on the precipice of a shared future that we get to help write.  We stand here ready to lech l’cha – to go and find out who we are.  And in the famous words of Rebbe Nachman of Bratslov, “ha-ikar lo l’fached klal” – the most important thing is not to be afraid.  The worst demons of this election were borne of fear and darkness.  We can only bring forth a beautiful future through light.

This moment presents all of us with an opportunity.  Will we be like Lot’s wife, who, devastated to leave the life she knew, turns back and becomes frozen in a pillar of salt – a petrified statue of her tears and grief.  Or will we be like Sarah – who, faced with a vast unknowable future, builds a tent that is famously open on all sides – welcoming all to come and eat – to talk and share, to together become a nation that doesn’t turn away, but turns TOWARD one another – speaking and – most of all (connecting to the watchword of our faith) listening.

Those of you who are unhappy with the results of Tuesday night need to listen to the unmet needs of those who rejoice.  And those of you who are happy, should open their minds and hearts to the reasons behind the tears and grief of your fellow.  We need to reach out to one another, not with ridicule and enmity, but rather with a sincere and radical curiosity that will enable us to build bridges rather than walls.  We are one country invited now to Lech L’cha – to go forth united and find out who we are. 

Lech L’cha and you shall be a blessing – for who you are is beautiful and the world can only reflect that light if you continue to shine it brightly.

Shabbat Shalom.