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Week of October 24, 2026

Lech-Lecha

לֶךְ־לְךָ

This week’s parsha

Hashem tells Avram one word, go, and at seventy-five he goes, with Sarai, Lot, and the people they had brought close in Charan. The parsha follows him through famine and Egypt, a quarrel with Lot, a night war to rescue him, a sky full of stars, and ends with two new names, a promised son, and the bris.

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֶל־אַבְרָ֔ם לֶךְ־לְךָ֛ מֵאַרְצְךָ֥ וּמִמּֽוֹלַדְתְּךָ֖ וּמִבֵּ֣ית אָבִ֑יךָ אֶל־הָאָ֖רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַרְאֶֽךָּ׃

Adonoy said to Avram, Go from your land, from your birthplace, and from your father’s house, [and go] to the land that I will show you.

Genesis 12:1

This week’s songs

New songs for this parsha — the words of the pesukim and the vorts of the mefarshim below, set to be sung. Paste any of them into Suno with its style line and you have the niggun.

Veheyei Bracha

Lyrics & style line

Style for Suno

slow hartzig chassidic kumzitz niggun, nylon acoustic guitar, soft cello and strings, one answering clarinet, brushed cajon, deep warm male baritone lead with low male humming harmonies, opens almost whispered and builds to a full-voiced peak, minor key lifting to major, warm intimate live-room sound

[Intro — one male voice, spoken softly over a single guitar chord]

פָּרָשַׁת לֶךְ־לְךָ — one man hears a voice, gets up, and goes.

[Verse 1 — quiet, unhurried, almost whispered]

Leave your land, your family,

your father's house behind,

מֵאַרְצְךָ וּמִמּוֹלַדְתְּךָ —

from your land and from your birthplace,

אֶל־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אַרְאֶךָּ —

to the land that I will show you.

Rashi says, go for yourself,

for your own good, for your own good.

[Chorus — everyone together, slow and warm]

וֶהְיֵה בְּרָכָה —

and you will be a blessing,

וְנִבְרְכוּ בְךָ —

through you they will be blessed,

all the families of the earth.

[Verse 2 — a little fuller, harmonies enter]

Rashi says a journey costs three things,

your family, your wealth, your name,

so הַשֵּׁם gave him three blessings.

וְאֶעֶשְׂךָ לְגוֹי גָּדוֹל —

I will make you a great nation,

children, and wealth, and a great name.

[Chorus — everyone together, slow and warm]

וֶהְיֵה בְּרָכָה —

and you will be a blessing,

וְנִבְרְכוּ בְךָ —

through you they will be blessed,

all the families of the earth.

[Verse 3 — warm and steady]

He did not walk alone,

וְאֶת־הַנֶּפֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר־עָשׂוּ בְחָרָן —

the souls they made along the way.

Rashi says he taught the men,

and she taught the women,

and brought them close, beneath His sheltering wings.

[Chorus — everyone together, slow and warm]

וֶהְיֵה בְּרָכָה —

and you will be a blessing,

וְנִבְרְכוּ בְךָ —

through you they will be blessed,

all the families of the earth.

[Verse 4 — fuller, building]

He pitched his tent between two cities,

וַיִּבֶן־שָׁם מִזְבֵּחַ —

and there he built an altar.

Sforno says he chose that place

so the crowds would come and hear him teach.

[Verse 5 — near silence, then rising strong]

Out beneath the stars he heard,

כֹּה יִהְיֶה זַרְעֶךָ —

so many will your children be.

וְהֶאֱמִן —

and he believed,

Rashi says, he did not ask for a sign.

[Chorus — everyone together, full voice, then pulling back]

וֶהְיֵה בְּרָכָה —

and you will be a blessing,

וְנִבְרְכוּ בְךָ —

through you they will be blessed,

all the families of the earth.

[Outro — near silence, one voice, fading]

וֶהְיֵה בְּרָכָה —

be a blessing.

Vayelech Avram

Lyrics & style line

Style for Suno

fast freilich Jewish simcha dance tune, bright clarinet lead trading with trumpet over accordion and upright bass, tight snare with hand claps and tambourine, male tenor lead with a big male call-and-response backing choir, major key, relentless joyful drive, punchy live band sound

[Intro — one male voice, spoken quickly over a single clarinet run]

פָּרָשַׁת לֶךְ־לְךָ — pack up the tent, we're on the road, let's go!

[Chorus — full male choir, everyone together, loud and bouncing]

וַיֵּלֶךְ אַבְרָם —

(he went!) and he went on his way!

כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אֵלָיו —

just as he was told! (he went!)

[Verse 1 — fast, driving, backing choir answering]

בֶּן־חָמֵשׁ שָׁנִים וְשִׁבְעִים שָׁנָה — (seventy-five!)

seventy-five years old and out the door!

With שָׂרַי his wife and לוֹט beside him, (beside him!)

וַיָּבֹאוּ אַרְצָה כְּנָעַן — they came into the land!

לְזַרְעֲךָ אֶתֵּן אֶת־הָאָרֶץ הַזֹּאת — (this land!)

to your children I will give this land!

[Chorus — full male choir, everyone together, loud and bouncing]

וַיֵּלֶךְ אַבְרָם —

(he went!) and he went on his way!

כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אֵלָיו —

just as he was told! (he went!)

[Verse 2 — same drive, clarinet answering each line]

וַיְהִי רָעָב בָּאָרֶץ — (a famine!)

there was hunger in the land,

down to מִצְרַיִם, and they took שָׂרַי to the king, (the king!)

the king was struck with plagues and sent them on their way!

Back up with sheep and silver, (and gold!)

back to the מִזְבֵּחַ, calling out to הַשֵּׁם!

[Chorus — full male choir, everyone together, loud and bouncing]

וַיֵּלֶךְ אַבְרָם —

(he went!) and he went on his way!

כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אֵלָיו —

just as he was told! (he went!)

[Verse 3 — brighter, lifting]

The shepherds fight, and אַבְרָם says, (stop!)

אַל־נָא תְהִי מְרִיבָה — please, let there be no fight,

כִּי־אֲנָשִׁים אַחִים אֲנָחְנוּ — (brothers!)

for we are brothers, you and I!

שָׂא נָא עֵינֶיךָ — lift up your eyes! (look!)

north and south and east and west!

כַּעֲפַר הָאָרֶץ — like the dust of the earth! (so many!)

[Chorus — full male choir, everyone together, loud and bouncing]

וַיֵּלֶךְ אַבְרָם —

(he went!) and he went on his way!

כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אֵלָיו —

just as he was told! (he went!)

[Verse 4 — tight and urgent, then bursting open]

Four kings against five, and לוֹט is taken, (taken!)

וַיָּרֶק אֶת־חֲנִיכָיו — he called out his trained men,

שְׁמֹנָה עָשָׂר וּשְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת — (three hundred eighteen!)

he chased them through the night and brought him home!

מַלְכִּי־צֶדֶק — a king came out to greet him, (came out!)

הוֹצִיא לֶחֶם וָיָיִן — he brought out bread and wine!

אִם־מִחוּט וְעַד שְׂרוֹךְ־נַעַל — (not a thing!)

not a thread, not a shoelace, I won't take a thing!

[Chorus — full male choir, everyone together, loud and bouncing]

וַיֵּלֶךְ אַבְרָם —

(he went!) and he went on his way!

כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אֵלָיו —

just as he was told! (he went!)

[Verse 5 — biggest, hands in the air]

הַבֶּט־נָא הַשָּׁמַיְמָה — (look up!)

look up to the sky and count the stars!

וְהָיָה שִׁמְךָ אַבְרָהָם — (a new name!)

your name is new, a father of nations!

כִּי שָׂרָה שְׁמָהּ — and hers is new as well! (as well!)

וְקָרָאתָ אֶת־שְׁמוֹ יִצְחָק — a baby boy is coming!

בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה — (that very day!)

they came into the בְּרִית that very day!

[Chorus — full male choir, everyone together, loud and bouncing]

וַיֵּלֶךְ אַבְרָם —

(he went!) and he went on his way!

כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אֵלָיו —

just as he was told! (he went!)

[Outro — clarinet screaming, male choir shouting the last line, hard stop]

וַיֵּלֶךְ אַבְרָם —

and he went! Hey!

Habet Na Hashamayma

Lyrics & style line

Style for Suno

spoken-word storyteller over soft Jewish acoustic backing, fingerpicked nylon guitar, low upright bass, brushed drums, warm male narrator close to the mic, sung chorus by a male choir with rich male harmony between the spoken sections, unhurried, cinematic and intimate

[Intro — male narrator, spoken warmly, guitar alone underneath]

פָּרָשַׁת לֶךְ־לְךָ — sit close. This is the story of a man who walked away from everything, because הַשֵּׁם told him to.

[Chorus — male choir, sung, warm and full]

הַבֶּט־נָא הַשָּׁמַיְמָה —

look up, look up to the sky,

וּסְפֹר הַכּוֹכָבִים —

count the stars, if you can,

כֹּה יִהְיֶה זַרְעֶךָ —

so many will your children be.

[Spoken Word 1 — warm storyteller over soft guitar]

הַשֵּׁם said to אַבְרָם: go from your land, your birthplace, your father's house, אֶל־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אַרְאֶךָּ — to the land I will show you. Rashi says, go for your own good. וֶהְיֵה בְּרָכָה — and you will be a blessing.

So אַבְרָם went, seventy-five years old, with שָׂרַי his wife, his nephew לוֹט, and the souls they had made in חָרָן. Rashi says, the people they had brought close to הַשֵּׁם. In the new land he built a מִזְבֵּחַ, and Sforno says he set his tent between two cities, so the crowds would come and hear him teach.

[Chorus — male choir, sung, warm and full]

הַבֶּט־נָא הַשָּׁמַיְמָה —

look up, look up to the sky,

וּסְפֹר הַכּוֹכָבִים —

count the stars, if you can,

כֹּה יִהְיֶה זַרְעֶךָ —

so many will your children be.

[Spoken Word 2 — steady, a little quicker, bass enters]

וַיְהִי רָעָב בָּאָרֶץ — a famine came, and they went down to מִצְרַיִם. אַבְרָם asked שָׂרַי to say she was his sister. She was taken to the king's palace, the king and his house were struck with plagues, and he sent them away with all they had.

Then the shepherds of אַבְרָם and לוֹט began to quarrel. אַל־נָא תְהִי מְרִיבָה — please, no fighting, said אַבְרָם, for we are brothers. לוֹט chose the green plain, near a city of wicked people. And הַשֵּׁם said: lift up your eyes, north and south and east and west. Your children will be like the dust of the earth.

[Chorus — male choir, sung, warm and full]

הַבֶּט־נָא הַשָּׁמַיְמָה —

look up, look up to the sky,

וּסְפֹר הַכּוֹכָבִים —

count the stars, if you can,

כֹּה יִהְיֶה זַרְעֶךָ —

so many will your children be.

[Spoken Word 3 — tense, then easing, brushed drums come in]

Four kings went to war against five, and they carried off לוֹט. אַבְרָם gathered three hundred and eighteen men of his house, chased them by night, and brought לוֹט home. מַלְכִּי־צֶדֶק came out with bread and wine and blessed him, and אַבְרָם gave him a tenth of everything. The king of that wicked city offered him the spoils. אִם־מִחוּט וְעַד שְׂרוֹךְ־נַעַל — not a thread, not a shoelace, said אַבְרָם. No one will say they made me rich.

[Chorus — male choir, sung, warm and full]

הַבֶּט־נָא הַשָּׁמַיְמָה —

look up, look up to the sky,

וּסְפֹר הַכּוֹכָבִים —

count the stars, if you can,

כֹּה יִהְיֶה זַרְעֶךָ —

so many will your children be.

[Spoken Word 4 — quiet and close, under the night sky]

Then הַשֵּׁם spoke in a vision. אַל־תִּירָא אַבְרָם — do not be afraid. אָנֹכִי מָגֵן לָךְ — I am your shield. He took him outside: look at the sky, count the stars. Rashi says He lifted him up, above the stars. וְהֶאֱמִן — and he believed, and Rashi says he did not even ask for a sign.

He was told his children would be strangers in a land not theirs for four hundred years, and then go free with great wealth. And הַשֵּׁם made a בְּרִית with him, giving the land to his children.

[Chorus — male choir, sung, warm and full]

הַבֶּט־נָא הַשָּׁמַיְמָה —

look up, look up to the sky,

וּסְפֹר הַכּוֹכָבִים —

count the stars, if you can,

כֹּה יִהְיֶה זַרְעֶךָ —

so many will your children be.

[Spoken Word 5 — slow and warm, building to the end]

Still no child. שָׂרַי gave אַבְרָם her maid הָגָר, and when הָגָר looked down on her there was trouble, and הָגָר ran away. An angel found her by a spring and sent her back, for הַשֵּׁם had heard her pain.

At ninety-nine, הַשֵּׁם said: הִתְהַלֵּךְ לְפָנַי וֶהְיֵה תָמִים — walk before Me and be whole. Your name is אַבְרָהָם now, father of many nations, and hers is שָׂרָה, and she will have a son, יִצְחָק. בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה — on that very day, אַבְרָהָם and all his house entered the בְּרִית.

[Chorus — male choir, sung, warm and full]

הַבֶּט־נָא הַשָּׁמַיְמָה —

look up, look up to the sky,

וּסְפֹר הַכּוֹכָבִים —

count the stars, if you can,

כֹּה יִהְיֶה זַרְעֶךָ —

so many will your children be.

[Outro — male choir, sung, softer each time, fading]

כֹּה יִהְיֶה זַרְעֶךָ —

so many, so many,

like the stars.

Hishalech Lefanai

Lyrics & style line

Style for Suno

anthemic stadium worship rock, driving distorted electric guitars with a big ringing delay lead, huge live drums, deep bass, male lead vocal with a massive male gang-vocal singalong choir, quiet clean-guitar verses building to an enormous soaring chorus, major key, wide arena reverb production

[Intro — one male voice, spoken low over a single clean guitar note]

פָּרָשַׁת לֶךְ־לְךָ — one voice, one road, one step at a time.

[Verse 1 — quiet, clean guitar only, restrained]

Leave the land you know,

מֵאַרְצְךָ וּמִמּוֹלַדְתְּךָ —

your land, the place where you were born,

for a land you've never seen,

אֶל־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אַרְאֶךָּ —

the land that I will show you.

[Pre-Chorus — drums enter, building hard]

Seventy-five and starting new,

Rashi says it's for your own good,

and every step is calling you —

[Chorus — everyone together, massive male gang vocals, soaring]

הִתְהַלֵּךְ לְפָנַי —

walk before Me!

וֶהְיֵה תָמִים —

and be whole!

Walk before Me, walk before Me,

walk before Me and be whole!

[Verse 2 — quiet again, one guitar, voice close]

Out beneath the open sky,

הַבֶּט־נָא הַשָּׁמַיְמָה —

look up, and count the stars,

אַל־תִּירָא אַבְרָם —

do not be afraid,

אָנֹכִי מָגֵן לָךְ —

I am your shield.

[Pre-Chorus — drums enter, building hard]

וְהֶאֱמִן — and he believed,

Rashi says he never asked a sign,

and every step is calling you —

[Chorus — everyone together, massive male gang vocals, soaring]

הִתְהַלֵּךְ לְפָנַי —

walk before Me!

וֶהְיֵה תָמִים —

and be whole!

Walk before Me, walk before Me,

walk before Me and be whole!

[Bridge — near silence, one voice and a single guitar, then everything explodes]

Rashi says, walk before Me means

stay close, and serve Me, all your days.

וְהָיָה שִׁמְךָ אַבְרָהָם —

your name is new,

כִּי אַב־הֲמוֹן גּוֹיִם —

a father of many nations,

לִבְרִית עוֹלָם —

a covenant forever! Forever!

[Chorus — everyone together, massive male gang vocals, soaring]

הִתְהַלֵּךְ לְפָנַי —

walk before Me!

וֶהְיֵה תָמִים —

and be whole!

Walk before Me, walk before Me,

walk before Me and be whole!

[Outro — guitars ringing out, choir dropping to one male voice, slow fade]

הִתְהַלֵּךְ לְפָנַי —

walk before Me.

The parsha in brief

Hashem said to Avram: go from your land, from your birthplace and from your father's house, to the land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation, I will bless you and make your name great, and you will be a blessing. Rashi says the words lech lecha mean go for yourself, for your own benefit and your own good, because there you will become a great nation. And Rashi says that since travelling costs a man three things, his family, his wealth and his name, Hashem promised him all three. So Avram went, just as Hashem had told him, seventy-five years old. He took Sarai his wife, Lot his nephew, everything they owned, and the souls they had made in Charan. Rashi says those were the people they had brought under the sheltering wings of the Shechinah, Avram teaching the men and Sarai teaching the women.

In the land of Canaan Hashem appeared to him and said, to your children I will give this land, and Avram built an altar. He moved on to the mountain between Beis-Eil and Ai, and Sforno says he pitched his tent between two big cities so that crowds would come and hear him teach. Then a famine came, and Avram went down to Egypt. He asked Sarai to say she was his sister; Pharaoh's officials praised her, and she was taken into the palace. Hashem struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues, and Pharaoh sent them away with everything they had. Avram came back very rich, in cattle, silver and gold, to the same altar, and called there in the Name of Hashem.

Now Lot had flocks and tents too, and the land could not hold them both, and their shepherds began to quarrel. Avram said to Lot, please, let there be no quarrel between us, for we are brothers; the whole land is in front of you, choose left and I will go right. Lot chose the green, well-watered plain of the Jordan and pitched his tents toward Sedom, whose people were very wicked. Then Hashem told Avram, lift your eyes, north and south and east and west: all of it is for your children, and they will be like the dust of the earth. Soon after, four kings went to war against five and carried Lot away. Avram gathered three hundred and eighteen men of his house, chased them by night as far as Dan, and brought Lot home with everything that had been taken. Malki-Tzedek, king of Shaleim, came out with bread and wine and blessed him, and Avram gave him a tenth. The king of Sedom offered him the spoils, and Avram said: not a thread and not a shoelace, so that you will never say, I made Avram rich.

After this Hashem spoke to Avram in a vision: do not be afraid, Avram, I am your shield. Avram said, but I have no child. So Hashem took him outside and said, look at the sky and count the stars, if you can; so will your children be. Rashi says Hashem lifted him up above the stars. Avram believed, and Rashi says he did not even ask for a sign. Hashem made a covenant with him that night, between the pieces of the offering, and told him plainly that his children would be strangers in a land not theirs for four hundred years and then go out with great wealth, and that this land would be theirs.

Still Sarai had no child, and she gave Avram her maid Hagar. When Hagar was expecting she looked down on Sarai; Sarai was harsh with her, and Hagar ran away, until an angel found her at a spring in the desert, sent her back, and told her to call her son Yishmael, because Hashem had heard her. When Avram was ninety-nine, Hashem said: walk before Me and be perfect. Rashi says that means serve Me, stay close to My service. Your name will be Avraham, father of many nations, and Sarai will be Sarah, and she will have a son, Yitzchak. And on that very day Avraham, his son Yishmael and every man of his house entered the bris.

At the Shabbos table

  1. Where did Hashem tell Avram to go?
  2. How many men did Avram take to rescue Lot, and what did he refuse to take from the king of Sedom?
  3. When Hashem promised Avram children as many as the stars, Avram believed. What does Rashi say he did not do?

Answers

  1. Away from his land, his birthplace and his father's house, to the land Hashem would show him: the land of Canaan.
  2. Three hundred and eighteen men of his household; he would not take even a thread or a shoelace.
  3. He did not ask for a sign. (He did ask for one about inheriting the land.)

The whole parsha, aliyah by aliyah

All seven aliyos, in order, with the verse ranges as they are leined. The account of what happens stays to what the pesukim say; anything that explains why is quoted below.

  1. 1.Go to the land

    Genesis 12:1-12:13

    Adonoy tells Avram to go from his land, his birthplace and his father's house to the land He will show him, and promises to make him a great nation, to bless him, and that through him all the families of the earth will be blessed. Avram goes, seventy-five years old, with Sarai his wife, Lot his nephew, all their possessions and the souls they had made in Charan. In Canaan Adonoy appears to him and says, to your descendants I will give this land, and Avram builds an altar there, and another on the mountain between Beis-Eil and Ai, and calls in the Name of Adonoy. A famine comes, and Avram goes down to Egypt. Near the border he asks Sarai to say she is his sister, so that he will not be killed for her sake.

    וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֶל־אַבְרָ֔ם לֶךְ־לְךָ֛ מֵאַרְצְךָ֥ וּמִמּֽוֹלַדְתְּךָ֖ וּמִבֵּ֣ית אָבִ֑יךָ אֶל־הָאָ֖רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַרְאֶֽךָּ׃

    Adonoy said to Avram, Go from your land, from your birthplace, and from your father’s house, [and go] to the land that I will show you.

    Genesis 12:1

  2. 2.Egypt, and the way back

    Genesis 12:14-13:4

    The Egyptians see that Sarai is very beautiful, Pharaoh's officials praise her to Pharaoh, and she is taken into his palace, while Avram is given sheep, cattle, donkeys, servants and camels. Adonoy strikes Pharaoh and his household with great plagues because of Sarai. Pharaoh summons Avram, asks why he said she was his sister, returns her and sends them away with all they have. Avram goes up from Egypt very rich in livestock, silver and gold, and returns to the place between Beis-Eil and Ai where his tent had first stood, to the altar he had built, and there he calls in the Name of Adonoy.

    אֶל־מְקוֹם֙ הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ אֲשֶׁר־עָ֥שָׂה שָׁ֖ם בָּרִאשֹׁנָ֑ה וַיִּקְרָ֥א שָׁ֛ם אַבְרָ֖ם בְּשֵׁ֥ם יְהוָֽה׃

    To the site of the altar which he made there at first; and there Avram called [prayed] in the Name of Adonoy.

    Genesis 13:4

  3. 3.Avram and Lot part ways

    Genesis 13:5-13:18

    Lot also has flocks, cattle and tents, and the land cannot hold them both; Avram's herdsmen and Lot's herdsmen quarrel. Avram tells Lot, let there be no quarrel between us, for we are brothers; the whole land is before you, go left and I will go right, go right and I will go left. Lot sees that the Jordan plain is well watered and chooses it, pitching his tents as far as Sedom, whose people were very wicked. After Lot leaves, Adonoy tells Avram to lift his eyes north, south, east and west: all the land he sees will be his descendants' forever, and they will be as many as the dust of the earth. Avram moves his tent to the plains of Mamrei in Chevron and builds an altar there.

    וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אַבְרָ֜ם אֶל־ל֗וֹט אַל־נָ֨א תְהִ֤י מְרִיבָה֙ בֵּינִ֣י וּבֵינֶ֔יךָ וּבֵ֥ין רֹעַ֖י וּבֵ֣ין רֹעֶ֑יךָ כִּֽי־אֲנָשִׁ֥ים אַחִ֖ים אֲנָֽחְנוּ׃

    Avram said to Lot: Please [Now], let there not be strife between me and you, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are kinsmen.

    Genesis 13:8

  4. 4.Four kings, and the rescue

    Genesis 14:1-14:20

    Four kings make war against five kings, among them the kings of Sedom and Amorah, in the Valley of Siddim; the kings of Sedom and Amorah flee, and the victors carry off the wealth of Sedom and take Lot captive. A survivor comes and tells Avram the Ivri. Avram arms the three hundred and eighteen trained men born in his house, chases the enemy as far as Dan, divides his men at night, strikes them, and brings back Lot, his possessions, the women and the people. Malki-Tzedek, king of Shaleim and a kohen to the Most High, brings out bread and wine and blesses Avram, and Avram gives him a tenth of everything.

    וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע אַבְרָ֔ם כִּ֥י נִשְׁבָּ֖ה אָחִ֑יו וַיָּ֨רֶק אֶת־חֲנִיכָ֜יו יְלִידֵ֣י בֵית֗וֹ שְׁמֹנָ֤ה עָשָׂר֙ וּשְׁלֹ֣שׁ מֵא֔וֹת וַיִּרְדֹּ֖ף עַד־דָּֽן׃

    When Avram heard that his kinsman was taken captive, he armed his trained servants [lads] who were born in his household, three hundred and eighteen [men], and he pursued [them] until Dan.

    Genesis 14:14

  5. 5.Not a thread; count the stars

    Genesis 14:21-15:6

    The king of Sedom tells Avram, give me the people and keep the possessions. Avram answers that he has sworn not to take a thread or a shoelace of what is his, so that the king cannot say, I made Avram rich; only his young men's food and the share of his allies Aneir, Eshkol and Mamrei. Then the word of Adonoy comes to Avram in a vision: do not fear, I am your shield, your reward is very great. Avram says he has no child, and Adonoy says his own son will inherit him. He takes him outside and tells him to look at the sky and count the stars, if he can: so will your descendants be. Avram trusts in Adonoy, and He counts it for him as righteousness.

    וַיּוֹצֵ֨א אֹת֜וֹ הַח֗וּצָה וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ הַבֶּט־נָ֣א הַשָּׁמַ֗יְמָה וּסְפֹר֙ הַכּ֣וֹכָבִ֔ים אִם־תּוּכַ֖ל לִסְפֹּ֣ר אֹתָ֑ם וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֔וֹ כֹּ֥ה יִהְיֶ֖ה זַרְעֶֽךָ׃

    He [then] took him outside and said: Look towards the heavens and count the stars if you are able to count them. He then said to him: So [numerous] will your descendants be.

    Genesis 15:5

  6. 6.Covenant, Hagar, a new name

    Genesis 15:7-17:6

    Avram asks how he will know he will inherit the land, and is told to bring three heifers, three goats, three rams, a dove and a young pigeon; he splits the animals, and as the sun sets a deep sleep and a great dark dread fall on him. He is told his descendants will be strangers in a land not theirs, enslaved four hundred years, and then go out with great wealth, and that day Adonoy makes a covenant giving the land to his descendants. Sarai has no children and gives Avram her maid Hagar; when Hagar conceives she looks down on Sarai, Sarai treats her harshly, and she runs away, until an angel finds her at a spring, sends her back, and tells her to name her son Yishmael, for Adonoy has heard her suffering. At ninety-nine, Adonoy appears to Avram and says, walk before Me and be perfect, and changes his name to Avraham, for he will be the father of many nations.

    וַיְהִ֣י אַבְרָ֔ם בֶּן־תִּשְׁעִ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה וְתֵ֣שַׁע שָׁנִ֑ים וַיֵּרָ֨א יְהוָ֜ה אֶל־אַבְרָ֗ם וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלָיו֙ אֲנִי־אֵ֣ל שַׁדַּ֔י הִתְהַלֵּ֥ךְ לְפָנַ֖י וֶהְיֵ֥ה תָמִֽים׃

    When Avram was ninety-nine years old, Adonoy appeared [became revealed] to Avram and said to him: I am Almighty Shaddai, walk [worship] before Me and be perfect.

    Genesis 17:1

  7. 7.The bris, Sarah, and Yitzchak

    Genesis 17:7-17:27

    The covenant will stand between Hashem and Avraham's descendants as an everlasting covenant, and the land of Canaan will be theirs. This is the covenant they must keep: every male is circumcised, at eight days old in every generation. Sarai's name becomes Sarah, and she will have a son; Avraham falls on his face and laughs, asking whether a man of a hundred and a woman of ninety can have a child, and prays that Yishmael may live before Him. He is told Sarah will bear a son named Yitzchak at this time next year, the covenant will be with him, and Yishmael too will be blessed and become a great nation. That very day Avraham, at ninety-nine, Yishmael at thirteen, and every male of his household are circumcised.

    וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֗ים אֲבָל֙ שָׂרָ֣ה אִשְׁתְּךָ֗ יֹלֶ֤דֶת לְךָ֙ בֵּ֔ן וְקָרָ֥אתָ אֶת־שְׁמ֖וֹ יִצְחָ֑ק וַהֲקִמֹתִ֨י אֶת־בְּרִיתִ֥י אִתּ֛וֹ לִבְרִ֥ית עוֹלָ֖ם לְזַרְע֥וֹ אַחֲרָֽיו׃

    Elohim said: Indeed, your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will name him Yitzchok. I will establish My covenant with him as an eternal covenant to his descendants after him.

    Genesis 17:19

From the mefarshim

Every one of these is the mefaresh’s own words, fetched and checked — not a summary.

  1. 1.Rashi — go for your own good

    לך לך. לַהֲנָאָתְךָ וּלְטוֹבָתְךָ, שָׁם אֶעֶשְׂךָ לְגוֹי גָדוֹל, כָּאן אִי אַתָּה זוֹכֶה לְבָנִים, וְעוֹד שֶׁאוֹדִיעַ טִבְעֲךָ בָּעוֹלָם:

    לך לך GET THEE OUT (literally, go for thyself) — for your own benefit, for your own good: there I will make of you a great nation whilst here you will not merit the privilege of having children (Rosh Hashanah 16b). Furthermore, I shall make known your character throughout the world (Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 3)

    Rashi on Genesis 12:1:1

  2. 2.Rashi — three blessings for the road

    ואעשך לגוי גדול. לְפִי שֶׁהַדֶּרֶךְ גּוֹרֶמֶת לִשְׁלֹשָׁה דְבָרִים, מְמַעֶטֶת פְּרִיָּה וּרְבִיָּה וּמְמַעֶטֶת אֶת הַמָּמוֹן וּמְמַעֶטֶת אֶת הַשֵּׁם, לְכָךְ הֻזְקַק לִשְׁלֹשָׁה בְּרָכוֹת הַלָּלוּ, שֶׁהִבְטִיחוֹ עַל הַבָּנִים וְעַל הַמָּמוֹן וְעַל הַשֵּׁם:

    ואעשך לגוי גדול AND I WILL MAKE OF THEE A GREAT NATION —Since travelling is the cause of three things—it decreases (breaks up) family life, it reduces one’s wealth and lessens one’s renown, he therefore needed these three blessings: that God should promise him children, wealth and a great name (Genesis Rabbah 39:11).

    Rashi on Genesis 12:2:1

  3. 3.Rashi — the souls they made

    אשר עשו בחרן. שֶׁהִכְנִיסָן תַּחַת כַּנְפֵי הַשְּׁכִינָה; אַבְרָהָם מְגַיֵּר אֶת הָאֲנָשִׁים וְשָׂרָה מְגַיֶּרֶת הַנָּשִׁים, וּמַעֲלֶה עֲלֵיהֶם הַכָּתוּב כְּאִלּוּ עֲשָׂאוּם; וּפְשׁוּטוֹ שֶׁל מִקְרָא עֲבָדִים וּשְׁפָחוֹת שֶׁקָּנוּ לָהֶם, כְּמוֹ עָשָׂה אֵת כָּל הַכָּבֹד הַזֶּה (שם ל"א), וְיִשְׂרָאֵל עֹשֶׂה חָיִל (במדבר כד יח), לְשׁוֹן קוֹנֶה וְכוֹנֵס:

    אשר עשו בחרן [THE SOULS] THAT THEY HAD GOTTEN (literally, made) IN HARAN — The souls which he had brought beneath the sheltering wings of the Shechinah. Abraham converted the men and Sarah converted the women and Scripture accounts it unto them as if they had made them (Genesis Rabbah 39:14). However, the real sense of the text is that it refers to the men-servants and to the maidservants whom they had acquired for themselves. The word “עשה” is used here as (in Genesis 31:1), “he has acquired (עשה) all this wealth”, and (Numbers 24:8), “And Israel acquires (עושה) wealth” — an expression for acquiring and amassing.

    Rashi on Genesis 12:5:1

  4. 4.Sforno — a tent where the crowds pass

    בֵּית אֵל מִיָּם וְהָעַי מִקֶּדֶם. בֵּין שְׁתֵּי עֲיָירוֹת גְּדוֹלוֹת, לְמַעַן יִרְבּוּ הַבָּאִים לִשְׁמֹעַ בְּקָרְאוֹ בְּשֵׁם ה':

    בית אל מים והעי מקדם, between two large cities, in order to attract large crowds who could hear him preach.

    Sforno on Genesis 12:8:1

  5. 5.Rashi — lifted above the stars

    ויוצא אתו החוצה. לְפִי פְּשׁוּטוֹ הוֹצִיאוֹ מֵאָהֳלוֹ לַחוּץ לִרְאוֹת הַכּוֹכָבִים, וּלְפִי מִדְרָשׁוֹ אָמַר לוֹ צֵא מֵאִצְטַגְנִינוּת שֶׁלְּךָ שֶׁרָאִיתָ בַּמַּזָּלוֹת שֶׁאֵינְךָ עָתִיד לְהַעֲמִיד בֵּן, אַבְרָם אֵין לוֹ בֵן, אֲבָל אַבְרָהָם יֵשׁ לוֹ בֵן, שָׂרַי לֹא תֵלֵד, אֲבָל שָׂרָה תֵלֵד; אֲנִי קוֹרֵא לָכֶם שֵׁם אַחֵר וְיִשְׁתַּנֶּה הַמַּזָּל. דָּ"אַ הוֹצִיאוֹ מֵחֲלָלוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם וְהִגְבִּיהוֹ לְמַעְלָה מִן הַכּוֹכָבִים, וְזֶהוּ לְשׁוֹן הַבָּטָה מִלְמַעְלָה לְמַטָּה:

    ויוצא אתו החוצה AND HE BROUGHT HIM FORTH OUTSIDE — Its real meaning is: He brought him outside his tent so that he could look at the stars. Its Midrashic explanation is: Go forth from (give up) your astrological speculations — that you have seen by the planets that you will not raise a son; Abram indeed may have no son but Abraham will have a son: Sarai may not bear a child but Sarah will bear. I will give you other names, and your destiny (מזל planet, luck) will be changed. Another explanation: He brought him forth from the terrestrial sphere, elevating him above the stars, and this is why He uses the term הבט ‘‘look”, when He said “look at the heavens” — for this word signifies looking from above downward (Genesis Rabbah 44:12).

    Rashi on Genesis 15:5:1

  6. 6.Rashi — he did not ask for a sign

    והאמין בה'. לֹא שָׁאַל לוֹ אוֹת עַל זֹאת; אֲבָל עַל יְרֻשַּׁת הָאָרֶץ שָׁאַל לוֹ אוֹת וְאָמַר לוֹ בַּמָּה אֵדַע.

    'והאמין בה AND HE BELIEVED IN THE LORD — He did not ask Him for a sign regarding this; but in respect to the promise that he would possess the land he asked for a sign, inquiring of God, במה אדע “By what sign shall I know [that I shall possess it?]” (Genesis 15:8).

    Rashi on Genesis 15:6:1

  7. 7.Rashi — walk before Me, stay close

    התהלך לפני. כְּתַרְגּוּמוֹ פְּלַח קֳדָמַי, הִדַּבֵּק בַּעֲבוֹדָתִי:

    התהלך לפני WALK BEFORE ME — as the Targum takes it: worship before Me — cleave to My service.

    Rashi on Genesis 17:1:2

Vorts & shmuessen on this parsha

Good vorts and shmuessen on this parsha from around the Torah world — a taste of each, and the link to learn it properly. Every excerpt is verbatim, checked against the page itself.

No AI writes Torah here — every pasuk, Rashi and Midrash is fetched word-for-word from Sefaria and checked before it prints. Read exactly how.

Texts from Sefaria — Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934 (Public Domain) · Vocalized Edition (CC0) · Eliyahu Munk, HaChut Hameshulash (CC-BY) · Tanach with Ta'amei Hamikra (Public Domain) · Metsudah Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009 (CC-BY)