Lead Tidbit

LECH L'CHA kama; LECH L'CHA batra

DAYEINU (in the Pesach Hagada) is made up of many parts, each of which can stand on its own as something to thank G-d for. And after the list of items - from the Exodus to the building of the Beit HaMikdash, we put them all together and consider the whole group of G-d’s acts - taken all together - to be an even greater reason for our praising and thanking G-d.
So too it is with the tests of Avraham’s faith, which Pirkei Avot numbers at 10. Each one stands on its own as an indicator of Avraham’s love of and commitment to G-d. Taken as a full unit of 10, our admiration and appreciation of Avraham Avinu is even greater.
Although different commentaries have different lists of the 10 tests of Avraham, the most common list begins and ends with a Lech L’cha.
For those not familiar with Talmudic Aramaic, KAMA means the former or earlier of two or more items and BATRA is the latter. LECH L’CHA KAMA gives this week’s sedra its name. G-d told Avraham to leave his homeland his place of birth and his father’s house on go to the land which G-d will show him (Eretz Yisrael).
The test which most commentaries consider to be the final one, the tenth one - and this is supported by G-d’s statements in the Torah - is the Akeida, which is our LECH L’CHA BATRA, where this time, the destination is ERETZ HAMORIYA, the Temple Mount, where Avraham is to offer Yitzchak as an OLAH.
Even though each test stands on its own and even though the portion of the Akeida at the end of next week’s sedra does not relate directly to all the previous tests, it is not a stretch to suggest that the portion of the Akeida reminds us of the Ten Tests, not just the tenth one. (Maybe this is similar to calling the third Shabbat meal SHALOSH SEUDOT - or the Yiddishized version, Shaleshudes, rather than Seuda Sh’lishit. Yes, its the third meal, but it represents the three meals of Shabbat.)
To quote from the Koren-OU siddur, with commentary by Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks…
On the basis of Jewish mystical tradition… we have the custom of saying daily the Torah passage re- counting the Binding of Yitzchak, the supreme trial of faith in which Avraham demonstrated his love of G-d above all other loves.
Parshat HaAkeida is said right before Korbanot, because it represents the willingness of Avraham and Yitzchak - and all the Jewish people - to sacrifice themselves for the sake of G-d and His Torah.
We have a practical recommendation for you.
If you say Parshat HaAkeida every day, then, fine - the most we can suggest is paying more attention to it and internalizing its messages.
If you don’t say it, how about giving it a try. At least for the week of Parshat Vayeira. From Sunday, Nov. 1st through Shabbat, the 7th, say it in its place in davening - or any time of the day. Use your siddur or the handy text in the box to the left. Clip it and carry it with you, pull it out on the bus or during a break at work or school. And, maybe if you get really “into it”, you’ll making it a part of your day even after the week is up. Don’t just say it; be inspired by it. Be proud to be a Jew.

• Other Lead Tidbit
• The Middle Matza
• When will we learn?!?
• A Brief Look Back at Chanuka