Lech Lecha
Go Out
Get Outside Your Comfort Zone
This week's portion, Lech Lecha, begins with G-d telling Abraham to "go out from your country, leave your people, leave your father's household and go to a land that I will show you". Abraham heeds this command and sets in motion the development of the Jewish nation culminating in the receiving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
In order to reveal opportunities and Light in our lives, We must push ourselves outside of our comfort zones and to "go out" from ourselves. Once we mentally commit that we will "go out", the universe conspires to help us and creates openings and opportunities that make it easier to go beyond what we previously believed was possible. It is within the challenge of pushing upstream, against the current, that we open ourselves up to new experiences and higher levels of consciousness.
It is much like the old adage "the sweetest fruit is on the highest branch". It is a challenge to push beyond our comfort zones - onto the higher branch or into the unknown. The reward, however, is worth the effort. To have certainty and to be able to "go out" is a gift. We can access the energy of going beyond our comfort zone this week by connecting to the reading and following the example set by Abraham.
The Inner Lech Lecha
Kabbalists teach that “Lech Lecha” — literally “Go to yourself” — reveals a deeper command: leave behind the layers that conceal your true essence. Abraham’s journey was not only geographical; it was spiritual. Every person has an inner “land” that G-d will show them — the discovery of who we truly are beneath habit, fear, and ego.
When we “go out” from what is familiar, we also travel inward, toward our soul’s divine spark. Even experiences of exile, displacement, and discomfort can awaken the hidden light within. Each courageous step toward the unknown is also a step toward our authentic self.
Power of Ma’aser / Tithing
The portion continues with Abraham setting out on a Journey with his wife Sarah and his nephew Lot. After parting ways with Abraham, Lot's town is attacked and he is taken captive along with his possessions. When Abraham hears about this, he leads a small force of men who overcome the four invading kings to recapture his possessions and restore Lot in his land. Abraham meets with King Melchizedek and gives him a "tenth of everything".
This is the first instance we see of tithing mentioned in the Torah. Ma'aser or tithing is the act of donating a tenth or 10%. This may seem like a lot to give, but it is really about receiving and the blessings that come to those who give. The act of tithing shows an understanding that we are only channels for sustenance, material possessions and money - which are ultimately from a higher source. By tithing a percentage, we recognize that G-d, or the Light, has a hand in the results of our efforts.
The Kabbalists point out that negative energy can attach to us and our possessions when our ego tells us that we are the sole reason for our success. By tithing, we remove and disconnect from the potentially negative energy. The Zohar says, in connection with tithing, "it is one out of ten, and ten out of a hundred". Throughout the rest of the Torah and commentary we read how tithing, whether as money or an agricultural tithe, helps to support our financial sustenance and provides protection and blessings.
Blessings Travel with Movement
The Zohar explains that divine abundance, or shefa, flows into vessels that are in motion. Abraham’s blessings increased not because he settled, but because he kept journeying — spiritually and physically. Movement creates momentum for miracles. When we act with faith and take even one step forward, we activate hidden channels of light. Stillness invites stagnation; movement invites revelation. The moment we begin, the universe rushes to meet us halfway.
Evil Eye
The concept of "evil eye" appears in the commentary on this week's reading. Although the use of amulets and red strings have been popularized over the past several years as a fashion trend, the power of evil eye is very real, as are the ways we can protect ourselves. The Kabbalists attribute a variety of misfortunes to evil eye so it is important to understand why it occurs and how to limit it in our lives.
In Lech Lecha, Abraham's wife Sarah was not able to have a child so she gave her hand maiden, Hagar, to Abraham to be his wife. When Hagar realized that she was pregnant, she no longer respected Sarah According to traditional commentary, Sarah then cast her an evil eye. Hagar miscarried her first pregnancy and ran away from the house. Evil eye is usually brought on by jealousy or envy - in this case it was Sarah's jealousy of Hagar's relationship with Abraham and Hagar's ability to conceive. When we are proud and show off or brag, we draw evil eye from others. Hagar became haughty and dismissive of Sarah after she became pregnant, drawing the evil eye from her mistress.
Even if not intentional, when people feel a lack and see someone else with something they desire, there is a subconscious desire which is often manifest as evil eye towards the other person. Gossiping or speaking badly about someone (l'ashon hara) is another way to bring evil eye as we create an opening for negativity in relation to our negative speech. By remaining humble and not speaking badly about others, we can protect ourselves against evil eye and its effects.
One Common Father for Unity & Peace
We read in this portion the story of how Abraham becomes the father of both Ishmael and Isaac. G-d tells Abraham that his first born son - Ishmael, will be blessed, he will father 12 princes and he will become a great nation. Accordingly, Muslims believe that Ishmael is the ancestor of the prominent Arab tribes and is the forefather of Muhammad. Abraham's second son, Isaac, similarly was blessed and established the Jewish nation. Both nations have a common father and, based on shared ancestry, should logically be able to come together in peace. In fact, Jewish and Arab worshipers pray side-by-side at Abraham's tomb in Hebron.
By reading and connecting to this story in Lech Lecha, we can hopefully connect to the unity of Abraham as the father of both nations. We can inject the energy of peace and love between brothers and send blessings of Light and awareness to all of the descendant's of Abraham that continue to fight in the Middle East. It is only through tolerance and unity that we can find and create peace in the world.
Practical Tools for the Week
1. Take One Step Beyond Your Comfort Zonew
Each morning, identify one action you have been avoiding because it feels uncomfortable. Make the call, begin the project, or have the conversation. Ask yourself: “Where am I being called to go beyond what is familiar?”
2. Practice Being a Channel
Set aside time this week to give consciously - through ma’aser, an act of kindness, or sharing your time with someone who needs support. Before giving, pause and recognize that the blessings in your life come through you from a higher source.
3. Turn Compassion into a Blessing
When you notice jealousy, comparison, or the urge to speak negatively about someone, pause and send that person a blessing instead. Each time we choose generosity of spirit, we loosen the grip of ego and bring more unity and peace to ourselves and the world.
Have a great week!
Resources & Credits
The Weekly Wisdom emails and the ideas presented herein are compiled from the following sources:
Gutnick Edition Chumash with Rashi's commentary, Targum Onkelos, and commentary anthologized from Classic Rabbinic Texts and the works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe
Apples from the Orchard - Gleanings from the Mystical Teachings of Rabbi Yitzchak Luria on the Weekly Torah Portion
Kabbalistic Bible - Kabbalah Centre International, Inc
The Zohar - Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, various translations
Mysteries of the Kabbalah - Marc-Alain Ouaknin
Wikipedia
Other online written and video content that discusses and shares Kabbalistic Wisdom