The Midrash in Bereshit Rabbah 39:9 asks why Hashem’s request for Avram to leave his homeland is so verbose. Hashem tells Avram: “Go forth, from your land, from the land of your birth, from your father’s house” (Bereshit 12:1). The Midrash explains that the reason this verse contained so many words was because Hashem wanted to acknowledge the extent of the sacrifice that Avram would have to make in order to enter Canaan.

• Why do you think it was important for Hashem to acknowledge the challenges of Avram leaving his homeland?

• In your journey of life, in what ways do you feel that you need to leave the familiar behind in order to grow and develop?