By By Rabbi-Cantor Cheri Weiss
There are many accounts in our Torah that detail how our ancestors, at God’s command, embarked on a journey to the unknown. In the opening of Lech L’cha (“Go forth”), God directs Abram (later renamed Abraham) to, “Go forth from your native land and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1) At the age of 75 and probably never having ventured beyond his home in Ur, he complied without question, taking with him his wife Sarai (later renamed Sarah), his nephew Lot, and all those who served in his household.
As a reward for his great faith in the Divine, Abraham would go on to establish the Jewish people. “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you;” God promises, “I will make your name great, and you shall be a blessing.” (Genesis 12:2)
In the Book of Exodus, Moses appears to be content with his life as a sheepherder when he encounters God in a bush that was aflame but did not burn. “I have marked well the plight of My people in Egypt and have heeded their outcry because of their taskmasters; yes, I am mindful of their sufferings,” God tells him. “Come, therefore, I will send you to Pharaoh, and you shall free My people, the Israelites, from Egypt.” (Exodus 3:7, 10)
Unlike Abraham, however, Moses is reluctant, finding numerous excuses not to comply. “Who am I that I should go to Pharoah?” he argues. (v.11) Despite God’s assurances, he continues to resist. What if the Israelite Elders don’t believe me? I’m not good with words! And finally, “Please, my Lord, make someone else your agent!” (v.13) Yet in the end, Moses finally acquiesces and does as God commands.
And the Israelites! They are led out of slavery into the unknown wilderness with nothing more than what they can carry and a belief in the Divine promise of their own homeland, a land flowing with milk and honey. They also experience times of doubting God’s presence or in their mission (the Golden Calf, the incident of the 12 spies, etc.), complaining (“We need water” or “We want meat!”), or even outright rebellion (Korach). But for 40 years in the desert, they keep pushing forward, honoring the covenantal promise made at Mt. Sinai: “We will do and hear everything God has said.” (Exodus 24:7). When God indicates (through the cloud signifying God’s presence) that it is time to rest, they set up camp; when it is time to move on, they pack up their belongings and walk into the unknown.
No one’s life is without considerable challenges or uncertain times of transition. Along with the blessings that will fill our souls with joy, there will be those moments when difficult decisions will need to be made. It is during those times that we may feel the most alone, unsure of whether we are choosing the right path. Yet it is in those very moments when our faith in the Divine can sustain us, propelling us forward into the unknown. May we all be blessed with faith in a higher power that sustains and reassures us during our uncertain times of transition.
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