When the call to go forth leads to the brink of meaninglessness
When we are called to face an unrecognizable landscape, the archetypes of our ancestors and poetry can help us find a way forward.
Today I’m offering two audio reflections on the bible story in which Abraham receives the call to leave his home and venture into unknown territory:
The first is my response to this week’s Torah Portion, which is titled “Go Forth!” (or Lech Lecha in Hebrew). Here I reflect on what this ancient story can offer us today as we face an uncertain future.
The second is a personal, poetic response to this same story, in which I contemplate leaving my home as a young woman, ready to start her own life (and the realization that perhaps starting anew is not possible, after all).
I’m wrapping all of it in a prayer for gentleness, kindness, comfort, solace, and love. May our better angels prevail.
Studying an ancient story
Today’s audio is a reflection on this week’s Torah Portion, Lech Lecha, which is Hebrew for “Go Forth!” In it, Abraham receives a call to leave his home and step into an unknown future.
This story of acting on faith lies at the heart of three world religions. Whatever your background, I hope you’ll find in it archetypes and universal narratives that might open a path of meaning, strength and/or hope within you.
Listen to ‘Lech Lecha’, a reflection by Tzivia Gover.
©️ All rights reserved, Tzivia Gover, Third House Moon LLC.
A poem about leaving
So far in this poetry project: The Life of H: Sarah, Reimagined, I’ve shared mostly poems that imagine Sarah, Hagar, and Abraham’s lives.
There is also another side to this project, in which I, the 21st Century narrator, respond poetically, and personally, to the chapters Sarah inhabits.
Here’s one of the poems from that series. In it, I describe leaving home as a young woman — and the discovery that it isn’t as simple as packing a bag and boarding a train.
Listen to this week’s poem, “What She Was Leaving”:
©️ “What She Was Leaving,” by Tzivia Gover, all rights reserved, Third House Moon LLC.
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Tzivia --thank you for both! Your analysis of this week's Bible study, and more touched me deeply--offering the historical lens to the swirling insanity around us comforted me, if that makes sense. The prompt "she was leaving..." is such a compelling opening to exploring one's personal past. Brave woman, Tzivia!!!