The Torah dedicates two parshios to Avraham Avinu. The first one begins with Hashem’s command to Avraham, “Lech Lecha,” (12:1) Go forth, leave the land and reach out to the world. The second ends with another Lech Lecha. Here he is instructed to take his son, Yitzchak, and go to the land of Moriah. He begins his mission focusing on himself, his responsibilities. He ends his mission by taking his son to Har Hashem, exposing him to the Divine, ensuring that he will carry on his father’s legacy. Indeed, is that not what Yiddishkeit is all about? The father goes through life with its trials and tribulations. He stands steadfast in his belief in the Almighty, trusting in Him, “sharing” Him with others, seeing to it that others are brought closer to Hashem. Then, as life goes on, he must guarantee that his mission will continue, that it will not dissipate with him. The second “Lech Lecha” begins, “Kach na es bincha,” “Take your son,” make sure that he will continue your work.
“Continuity” is the key word in Hashem’s message to Avraham. While the individual must strive to fulfill his own responsibility as a Jew, assuring that Hashem’s Name is proclaimed throughout the world, it is not the final goal. He must see to it that his work is continued, that a world realizes that Judaism is a vibrant religion. Its observances and practices are as much a part of Jewish life today as they were thousands of years ago. This can only be accomplished if one sees to it that faith and conviction, Torah living and observance, are transmitted to the next generation.
Chazal ask which “Lech Lecha” is more significant: the first one, when Hashem instructed Avraham to leave his land and go forth in the land, or the second, the “Lech Lecha” of the Akeidas Yitzchak. They respond that the second Lech Lecha carries greater impact. We can understand this with the above idea in mind. Judaism with no future has little significant present. Parents who observe, but do not transmit their lifestyle to their children, either by example or through education, will regrettably reap what they sow.
