Parashat Lech-Lecha

God has not abandoned His people.

Abraham's journey was for his own spiritual well-being.

Abram models interpersonal and environmental harmony.

Gleaning great meaning from the single word this portion gave to Jewish liturgy.

God and Abram's covenant between the pieces raises issues of conditionality and obligation still relevant today.

Like Abraham, who introduced a new model for relating to God and humankind, we continue to integrate social justice into religious practice.

As Abram and God demonstrate, Judaism understands faith as deep trust despite doubt, confusion, and suffering.

Lech-Lecha marks a transition between God relating to humankind as a collective to relating to individuals.

Sarah's protection of Isaac and family challenge us to strengthen our families, making them the cornerstones of the covenantal community.