"לֵב טָהוֹר בְּרָא־לִי אֱלֹהִים וְרוּחַ נָכוֹן חַדֵּשׁ בְּקִרְבִּי. אַל־תַּשְׁלִיכֵנִי מִלְּפָנֶיךָ וְרוּחַ קָדְשְׁךָ אַל־תִּקַּח מִמֶּנִּי."
"Create in me a clean heart, O G-d; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me." — Psalms 51:10-11
Psalm 51, a plea from King David, expresses David’s desire for G-d’s creative hand in his life—one that doesn’t simply refine him, but entirely remakes his heart and intentions. Here, the word b'ra (בְּרָא), “create,” signifies a divine act of creating something entirely new, ex nihilo, from nothing. This is a form of creation that can only be attributed to G-d. David isn’t asking for a mere repair of his existing heart; instead, he asks for something entirely new to be created within him—fresh thoughts, new desires, and a transformed understanding. He recognizes that what currently exists in him is flawed, or tameh (defiled). In this request, David acknowledges his need for a pure heart, tahor—a biblical term that signifies purity often achieved through atoning blood. This purity highlights G-d’s holiness and draws a striking contrast with our own sinful nature, bringing us into deeper awareness of His sanctity.
This call to inner renewal finds a striking parallel in Parashat Lech Lecha, where G-d calls Avram to leave behind everything familiar to follow Him on a journey that will redefine not only Avram’s life but the spiritual trajectory of generations to come. Much like David’s prayer for a transformed heart, Avram’s journey is an invitation to leave behind the old and embrace something entirely new—a journey that marks the beginning of faith as we understand it, faith in the one true G-d of Israel.
The Call to Leave Behind: A Journey of Faith
In Genesis 12, G-d speaks to Avram with the words, “Lech lecha—Go forth from your land, from your birthplace, and from your father’s house to the land that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1). This directive is not just physical; it’s a command for Avram to leave behind the polytheistic traditions and idols of his upbringing, a world where gods were shaped by human hands from wood and stone. Here, Avram is asked to seek a G-d who creates not from material, but ex nihilo—a creator who is above all, sovereign, and unseen. Historically, extra-biblical texts offer insights into Avram’s journey toward monotheism. Growing up in the polytheistic culture of Mesopotamia, he was surrounded by idols and human-crafted gods. Yet, Avram’s mind was drawn to deeper questions about the universe. Looking at the stars, he wondered: what created this vast expanse? His pursuit led him to recognize the existence of a singular Creator who transcends the physical, who is unmade and unshaped by human hands. This revelation catalyzed Avram’s journey, and he became the first evangelist, drawing others into faith in the one true G-d.
Spiritual and Physical Legacy: The Souls of Haran
Genesis 12:5 reveals a fascinating detail: “And Avram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran.” Here, “the souls they had gotten” refers to those Avram persuaded to follow his newfound faith in G-d. These were people brought along in faith rather than blood—a testament to the power of Avram’s influence as a spiritual pioneer. Avram’s mission extended beyond his family, reflecting the universal reach G-d intended for his people, a priestly nation that would “teach all nations” (Exodus 19:6). In the New Testament, Rav Shaul touches on this idea in Ephesians 2:11-13, where he writes, “Remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh... were without G-d in the world: but now in Christ Yeshua ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Like Avram’s converts, those who come to faith in the one true G-d are grafted into the spiritual family of Israel, brought near not by lineage, but by faith. Avram’s journey from Haran symbolizes the start of a mission that reaches beyond boundaries—a call to bring others into a relationship with the Creator.
Promise and Covenant: Trust in G-d’s Faithfulness
The journey of Avram was not without uncertainty. In Genesis 15, we see Avram’s doubts about his legacy: “O Lord G-d, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless?” (Genesis 15:2). G-d reassures him with a promise that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars, and Avram “believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). This faith in G-d’s promise is echoed in Romans 4:3, where Rav Shaul refers to Avram’s belief as a model of faith for all believers. The covenant established with Avram is a foundation of G-d’s relationship with Israel, foreshadowing the promise of redemption for all people. Just as Avram’s journey was not merely physical, but spiritual and transformative, so too is the journey of anyone who follows the path of faith.
A Covenant Sealed: Dividing the Animals and the Promise of Redemption
And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it. And he said, LORD God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon. And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not. (Genesis 15:7-10)
Though Avram likely struggled with doubts about his developing relationship with God, God reassured him with specific instructions, as we see in Genesis 15:7-10. This passage recounts G-d instructing Avram to prepare a series of sacrifices. According to Rashi, dividing the animals was a common practice for sealing covenants between two people that vowed everlasting friendship and devotion to each other. The two halves of the animal were symbolic, though divided, they represented a united whole. Here, G-d Himself passes through the parts as a “smoking furnace and flaming torch” (Genesis 15:17) with Avram, signifying His unbreakable commitment to Avram and his descendants. Additionally, we find that Jewish tradition reveals that these animals represent the future exiles and sufferings that Israel will endure. Interestingly, the birds that attempt to consume the carcasses are shooed away by Avram, symbolizing the eventual coming of the Messiah, who will deliver G-d’s people at the appointed time.
Spiritual Mission and Evangelism: The Legacy of Avram
Avram’s journey models a mission that resonates in the Brit Chadasha when Yeshua commissions His disciples: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations” (Matthew 28:19).
Later, he appeared to the eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and stubborn hearts, because they did not believe those who had seen him after he had risen. He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:14-16)
Here, Yeshua rebukes the eleven disciples for their unbelief and hardness of heart and then commands them to spread the gospel to the entire world. This echoes the mission of Avraham—a mission he embraced without direct commissioning. Now, generations later, Avraham's descendants are formally commissioned to bring the message of salvation through the one true God to all nations. This calling fulfills the purpose that began with God creating a Lev Tahor—a pure heart—within Avraham.
As Romans 12:2 reminds us,
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Yeshua’s charge to evangelize mirrors the mission Avram began thousands of years before, to draw others to the one true G-d. Rav Shaul expands on this theme in Galatians 3:6-9, noting that “those of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.” Faith, more than blood, unites us in the covenant G-d first established with Avram. The journey from Mesopotamia to Canaan, and eventually to a redeemed creation, is a journey of transformation and purpose, drawing people from all nations into relationship with G-d.
Renewed Minds and Transformed Hearts
Ultimately, Avram’s journey is a call to transformation. As Rav Shaul writes in Romans 12:2, “Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Just as David asked for a “clean heart” in Psalm 51, Avram’s response to G-d’s call was one of surrender and faith. Through Avram, we see that transformation comes not by human striving but by G-d’s creative power—a power that births something new, a heart set apart for G-d. Avram’s story of transformation, from leaving the familiar to embracing G-d’s promise, serves as a powerful model. His journey of faith challenges us to trust G-d’s calling, let go of our idols, and embrace a new heart—a heart b'ra, created from nothing, by the hands of the Creator Himself, so that He can lead us along the path He has defined for His purpose.
Love this!
Beautiful.