Lech-Lecha

In Parshat Lech Lecha, G-d tells Avram, “Go for yourself from your land, from your relatives, and from your father’s house, to the land that I will show you.” Why does the Torah list these things in that order? If someone physically leaves home, they would leave their father’s house first, then their relatives, and then their country.

The Sfas Emes explains that the verse is describing a spiritual journey. It starts with the easiest things to change: the influence of the outside world. Then come our friends and social circles, which can be harder to leave behind. Finally, the most difficult influences to change can be the habits we learned at home.

Avraham teaches us that growth sometimes means leaving behind things that hold us back, even when it is difficult.