Parshas Noah 5787 - Starting Out Right

The Torah tells us that Avraham set out to leave his homeland and travel to Eretz Yisrael. Surprisingly, however, Avraham was not the first member of his family to begin this journey. His father, Terach, had also set out for the Land of Canaan:

“Terach took his son Avram, and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of Avram his son, and they departed with them from Ur Kasdim to go to the land of Canaan; they arrived at Haran and they settled there.” (Bereishis 11:31)

Terach's actions are puzzling. Why did he initially want to travel to Eretz Yisrael, only to stop in Haran without completing the journey? What caused him to abandon his original destination?

The Seforno explains that Terach recognized the unique qualities of Eretz Yisrael. The land was less affected by the waters of the Flood, and it possessed a special spiritual quality. As the Talmud states, “The air of Eretz Yisrael makes one wise” (Bava Basra 158b). Terach therefore had a reason to seek out this special land.

Yet if Terach understood the value of Eretz Yisrael, why did he not continue his journey?

One possible explanation is that Terach became attracted to the material comforts and opportunities available in Haran. Although he had originally set out for Eretz Yisrael, the attractions of his new surroundings caused him to abandon his goal.

Rav Henoch Leibowitz, zt”l, offers a different insight by comparing Terach with his son Avraham, who ultimately continued the journey to Eretz Yisrael. Both Terach and Avraham left Ur Kasdim, but their attitudes toward the journey were very different.

Avraham had survived being thrown into a fiery furnace by Nimrod. He was now free to leave Nimrod's influence and to pursue his mission of spreading belief in Hashem.

For Avraham, the journey was not simply a change of location. It represented an opportunity to live in a more spiritually conducive environment and to devote himself to his mission. Avraham therefore began his journey with tremendous joy and enthusiasm. He understood the importance of his destination and was excited about what he hoped to accomplish there. That strong sense of purpose gave him the inner strength to overcome the obstacles he encountered along the way and ultimately reach Eretz Yisrael.

Terach, however, did not approach the journey with the same intensity. Although he initially set out for Canaan, he apparently lacked Avraham's deep personal investment in the destination. He began the journey without fully awakening within himself the great joy and excitement that would sustain him when difficulties arose. As a result, when the journey became challenging, Terach did not have the same inner resources to persevere. He settled in Haran rather than continuing toward his original goal.

Rav Henoch's insight teaches us an important lesson about human nature: The attitude with which we begin an undertaking can have a profound impact on whether we ultimately complete it.

Most of us have goals and mitzvos that we set out to accomplish but never finish. We may decide to learn an entire seder of Mishnayos, study a mussar sefer, or consistently complete Shnayim Mikra v'Echad Targum each week. We begin with good intentions, but as time passes, other responsibilities compete for our attention, the work becomes difficult, and our initial enthusiasm fades.

The same is true of our personal ambitions. We may hope to get in shape, get married, write a book, become a partner in a business, or establish a successful enterprise. Yet many worthwhile goals remain unfulfilled, not necessarily because they are beyond our abilities, but because we never develop a sufficiently strong commitment to see them through.

Often, the problem begins at the very beginning. We focus on the task itself without taking the time to appreciate its ultimate value. We tell ourselves what we want to accomplish, but we do not awaken within ourselves a deep appreciation of why it matters and the corresponding emotions of joy and enthusiasm. When difficulties arise, we then have little to sustain us.

Of course, initial enthusiasm alone does not guarantee success. Every worthwhile undertaking requires patience, discipline and consistent effort. Nor can we expect to feel excited every day. But when we begin with a clear understanding of the importance of our goal, that understanding can provide the strength to continue even when our initial excitement fades.

Avraham did not merely begin his journey to Eretz Yisrael. He began with a powerful sense of joy and enthusiasm that enabled him to continue when the journey became difficult.

May we merit to emulate Avraham's attitude, beginning our mitzvos and other worthwhile endeavors with simcha, enthusiasm, clarity of purpose and a sincere appreciation of their value. May that initial commitment give us the strength and perseverance to overcome the obstacles along the way and celebrate the fulfillment of our goals and dreams.

-Rabbi Garber 10/16/26