Monday, October 11, 2010

Daily Aliya for Lech Lecha, Rishon (1st Aliya)

General Overview: Avram and Sarai travel to Canaan. Due to a famine in the land they temporarily relocate to Egypt, where Pharaoh unsuccessfully attempts to add Sarai to his harem. They return to Canaan with great wealth and Avram parts with his nephew Lot. Avram defeats the armies of the four kings who had taken his nephew Lot hostage. G‑d seals a pact with Avram, bequeathing the lands of Canaan to his descendants. Childless Avram marries Hagar and she gives birth to Ishmael. G‑d changes Avram's name to Avraham, and Sarai becomes Sarah. Avraham is circumcised at the age of 99.

Aliya Summary: G‑d commanded Avram to leave his father's house and homeland, and travel to the land that He will show him. As reward for doing so, G‑d promised to make Avram the patriarch of a great nation. Avram obeyed, taking along his wife Sarai and his nephew Lot. Once Avram arrived in Canaan, G‑d informed him that He will eventually give that land to his descendants. Avram traverses the length of the land until a famine forces him to travel to Egypt. Fearing that the Egyptians would kill him in order to take Sarai, Avram asked her to allege that he was her brother.

No comments:

Post a Comment