Devar/5768/Lech Lecha
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Now the LORD said unto Abram: 'Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto the land that I will show thee. (Gen 12:1)
Avraham our forefather was tested with ten trials (Mishna Avoth 5:3). The Rambam says in his explanation there: The ten trials which Avraham our forefather underwent were all specified in the Torah. The first was exile, and that is what He may He be blessed said to Avraham: Get thee our of thy country, and from thy kindred.
Exile is one the methods of repentance: Among the paths of repentance… and exile from his place - because exile expiates sin, since it causes him to be humbled, and to be humble and lowly of spirit. (Laws of Repentance 5:5).
But for what did he have to repent? Indeed, he was the only one in his generation who recognized God may He be blessed, and he brought thousands and myriads close to the worship of God! However, until he recognized his Creator forty years passed (Laws of Idol Worship 1:11) and until then he worshiped idols along with the other residents of his city (ibid. 1:10), and as is known, idol worship is one of the seven commandments given to the offspring of Noah: The first man was commanded regarding six things - concerning idol worship… (Laws of Kings and Wars 9:1).
However, repentance does not specifically require exile! It is possible to repent without moving from one's place. But in Avraham's case there was another factor: the residents of his city were evildoers, as well as idol worshippers and therefore he had to exile himself from his place, and seek out new neighbors. That is actually brought down as halachah; And if he resided in a city whose customs were bad, and whose people do not behave properly -- he should go to a place where the people are righteous, and behave correctly. And if all the cities he knows of or heard about behave in an improper manner, as in our times, or if he was unable to go to a city with good behavior because of wars or because of sickness -- he should sit alone by himself, like that which is written: Let him sit alone and keep silence (Lamentations 3:28). And if the residents were evildoers and sinners who would not allow him to remain in the city unless he joined them and behaved in their evil manner -- he should go out to the caves and crevasses and wildernesses but not behave in the manner of evildoers, like that which is written: Oh that I were in the wilderness (Jeremiah 9:1).
We made aliyah this year -- just a couple months ago -- unto the land that I will show thee. Leaving the familiar - family and friends, work and home - is a difficult matter, without a doubt. But to live in our Land, in the place God may He be blessed promised our ancestors - this is precious beyond any treasure. Our Sages said, whoever dwells in the Land of Israel, his sins are forgiven (Laws of Kings and Wars 5:14). Following in Avraham our forefather's footsteps, we would like to extend our wish to all Jews in the bitter Exile, to join us in our Holy Land, despite the difficulties - and together we will erect King David's fallen sukkah.
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