On Sunday, I was looking through some files and found the following dvar torah from a mailing list I have since joined called Mussar Moment. I read it again and still find it very powerful and I wanted to share it with you.
"Lech Licha,” Avrohom Avinu's journey upon Hashem's request, was one of our forefather's ten tests. Hashem promised Avrohom much reward for this action. The challenge of this situation seemed to involve the pain of leaving his family and hometown. However, the Ramban learns that there was more to it.
The Ramban (Lech Licha 12:2) understands that Avrohom did not really need a commandment from Hashem to leave his home. He already did that by himself. Avrohom wanted to get away from the idolatry of his home and the persecution he experienced in his city. He left Ohr Kasdim with the intent to travel to Eretz Yisroel. However, he ended up getting delayed in Charan. Once he got knocked off course, he remained there for the time being. It was at this moment that Hashem appeared to Avrohom and asked him to leave and go to Eretz Yisroel.
According to the Ramban, what then was the trying test of Lech Licha if Avrohom was ready to put this plan into action on his own? Why was Avrohom tremendously rewarded for this trek? It seems that this element of Avrohom's plans getting derailed in Charan was a big blow. He invested much inner energy to journey to Eretz Yisroel. So, when his travels only led him to Charan, he was emotionally spent. He was now possibly resigned to a life in Charan. Even when Hashem came to him with the mitzvah of Lech Licha, Avrohom had voices inside of him telling him not to go. Avrohom, however, rose to the challenge and chose to listen to the voice of G-d.
Many times in life we are motivated to become better. Whether it is to be a more sensitive husband, to have greater dedication to Torah learning, or just to be more involved with chessed, our plans, too, sometimes get derailed. "I'm done!" is a common reaction. However, we should learn from Avrohom Avinu about life's journeys. Many times the journey first begins the second time around.
In reflecting on this powerful lesson from Avrohom Avinu's journey, we learn that true greatness often comes not from our initial burst of inspiration, but from our willingness to begin again after facing setbacks. Just as Avrohom didn't let his delayed plans in Charan defeat him, we too must recognize that our spiritual journeys may take unexpected turns.
Whether we're working on our middos, strengthening our relationships, or deepening our connection to Torah, the path isn't always straight. Sometimes we get stuck in our own personal "Charan" – a place of comfort that wasn't our intended destination. The real test lies in how we respond when Hashem gives us another opportunity to move forward.
Remember, if you find yourself having to restart a journey of growth, you're walking in the footsteps of Avrohom Avinu himself. Every new beginning carries with it the potential for greatness, perhaps even more than the first attempt.
