The Journey of Resilience: Lech Lecha and Hope for a Better Future

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

This week, we encounter Parashat Lech Lecha, a Torah portion that speaks to the universal call to embark on a journey of faith, resilience, and hope. God’s directive to Avram, “Lech lecha—Go forth from your native land and from your father’s house to the land that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1), is not just a physical journey but a profoundly personal one. It’s a call to leave behind comfort and familiarity and step into the unknown with the belief that a better future awaits.

I’ve been sitting with this idea of journeys and how they require trust, resilience, and hope, even when the outcome is uncertain. Like many, I approached the recent election with a mixture of hope and fear. I wanted to believe we were ready to choose a future rooted in justice and fairness. Instead, the results reflected what I feared most—a reminder of how far we still have to go.

It’s hard not to feel disheartened. History will undoubtedly look back on this moment and weigh it alongside the many times we’ve failed to rise to the call for moral leadership. Each failure leaves a mark, a reminder of opportunities missed and promises unfulfilled. This feeling will stay with me for a long time, yet I hope I am wrong about what this outcome signifies for our future. At the same time, I find myself thinking about the journey Avram was asked to take—not knowing the destination but trusting in a promise. It reminds me that resilience isn’t about knowing the way forward but about continuing to move forward anyway.

When I think about leaders like Kamala Harris and how close she came, I still feel hope. Her presence on the national stage gave millions of us a vision for a better world, one where justice, fairness, and compassion aren’t just ideals but can actually be realities. Her story reminds us of what is possible when we persist. It reminds us that this journey isn’t just about arriving somewhere but about the courage to believe in something better, even when the odds seem insurmountable.

The Torah teaches us that Avram’s journey wasn’t just for him—it was for the generations that would follow. He was called to be a blessing, to model a life of justice and righteousness, and to bring that blessing to the world. That’s our call, too. Even in moments of disappointment, even when the road ahead feels impossibly hard, we must keep going.

Lech Lecha reminds me that every step matters, even when the path is unclear. Each step is about choosing to move forward with hope and with faith and that justice and equity can guide our way. This journey is not an easy one, but it’s one we must take together.

Shabbat shalom.