Hey, Hey, Whaddya Say?

by Devora Gila Berkowitz

Parshat Lech Lecha

In G-d's covenant, Avraham and Sarah receive the blessing that "multitudes of nations" (17:4) and "kings of peoples" (17:16) will arise from them. 

This interaction imbues them with tremendous creative potential .

At the same time, they receive the letter hey in their names. An exhalation, a giving back of the original breath that G-d breathes into us (Bereshit 2:7).

When we exhale, it can take the form of speech, song, or tefilah. It completes the cycle of giving between Hashem and ourselves.
How will you express your own heys today?  How will this awareness inspire your own creativity?

Do it Right: Have Emunah

by Devora Gila Berkowitz

Parshat Lech Lecha

Move over, Yuri Gagarin. The first man in outer space was actually our patriarch, Avraham. That's according to the midrash on Bereshit 15:5.

Avraham is a prolific astrologer. He understands from the constellantions that he can't have children. In a dramatic display, G-d takes him "outside" above the stars to show him how abundant his descendents will be.

Here we learn a powerful lesson about emunah -- faith in G-d. "And he trusted (he'emin) in G-d, and He considered it as righteousness (tzedakah). The first time a root appears in the Torah is its essence. As far as I can tell, this is the debut appearance of both roots. The fact that they both appear together in the same verse strongly suggests an interconnection.


Tzedekah is based on the root for justice, because it's what's right to do. We don't need to travel far to know that trusting G-d is the right thing to do. But even Avraham has to be taken out of his own perspective to receive a new perception of himself.

How do you currently view youself? From a bird's eye view, and with faith in G-d's highest wishes for you, how could you perceive yourself in a new light today?

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The Power of One

by Devora Gila Berkowitz

Parshat Lech Lecha

Have you ever felt that you could do anything?

It's a sense that comes from the core of our being, when we're connecting not to our ego, but to the limitless of our Creator.

Avraham possesses this quality. It's a characteristic that enables him to strike down his enemy in order to free the captive prisoner, Lot, along with all of his possessions and people.

One man rallying against the enemy.

What powers lie in full potential within each of us? And what are we waiting for? 

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This Land Was Made for You and Me

by Devora Gila Berkowitz

Parshat Lech Lecha

Lot and Avraham just can't coexist. They have too much stuff.

The land can't even handle it (Bereshit 13:6).

Which of your possessions, comforts,  habits or memories would you be willing to give up today in order to dwell peacefully within your environment?


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Pitching Tents, Pitching Ideas

by Devora Gila Berkowitz

Parshat Lech Lecha

Ever notice how we respond to someone's idea?

"Oh, well..." Hardly before we've taken it in, we're already giving over ours.

Now, Avraham would always pitch his wife's tent before his own (Midrash on Bereshit 12:8).

Let's extend the idea of pitching a tent (ohel) to pitching an idea (oh, well...).

We're so attached to our ideas. Some of us even write blogs about them(!).

But what if we invested in the other's idea first, before our own?

The next time someone shares an idea with you, don't judge it or respond right away.
Pitch their idea right back at them. Give yourself time to settle into it. Pull the flaps down. 
Only when you've given it enough time and consideration, dare to pitch yours.

What would our lives be like if we communicated like this?


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In the Footsteps of Avraham

by Devora Gila Berkowitz

Parshat Lech Lecha

Emunah. Emunah. Emunah.

-- The sounds of Avraham's footsteps.

Children. Wealth. Fame.

-- The sounds of Hashem's response.

What great blessings are awaiting your next step of faith?

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50 Ways to Leave Your Loved Ones

by Devora Gila Berkowitz

Parshat Lech Lecha

.

It's ad hominem, Shem

I'm goin' a capella, Shelah

It's now or never, Eber

Fifty ways to leave
your loved ones

Don't mean to be rude, Serug

No time to shmooze, dude

It's the end of the perek, Terach,

Gotta follow my G-d

Avraham doesn't need fifty reasons to split. He just has one:
to leave behind the false beliefs and misguided perspectives that are holding him back from receiving something much better: a reality that G-d Himself intends for him to have.  

Are you courageous enough to let go of the misconceptions you've had about yourself and your life until now, in order to enter into a broader, more blessed reality?


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