There’s a moment in life when staying where you are becomes more uncomfortable than stepping into the unknown. It’s that quiet voice inside that says, there’s more for you than this. Most people silence that voice. Avraham didn’t.
This week’s Torah portion, Lech Lecha, begins with two words that changed history: “Go for yourself.” God tells Avraham to leave his land, his birthplace, and his father’s house, everything familiar, and journey to an unknown destination.
It’s one of the most radical calls in human history. There is no map, no timeline, no clear reason. Just faith and forward motion.
And that’s exactly the point.
The real test of Lech Lecha isn’t about theology or obedience. It’s about courage. Avraham’s greatness began the moment he chose movement over comfort, mission over certainty.
I felt that same discomfort when I made Aliyah to Israel. I left everything that felt safe to start over in a new country, not knowing how it would all work out. Years later, when I launched my own business here, that same feeling came back. The uncertainty, the questions, the small voice asking, what if this doesn’t work? But each time, I learned that the only way forward was through faith and action.
Every person faces their own version of Lech Lecha. It might not mean leaving your home or country, but it could mean walking away from a secure job, a limiting mindset, or a lifestyle that no longer fits who you are becoming.
The challenge is the same: to step out before you see the full picture.
Here are a few lessons from Avraham’s journey that can guide ours:
1. Growth always begins with discomfort
Avraham’s story doesn’t start when he finds answers. It starts when he leaves questions behind. If everything feels comfortable, you’re probably not growing. The moment you feel friction, pay attention. That is often the doorway to the next level of your life.
2. Don’t wait until you’re ready
Avraham wasn’t ready. No one ever is. But he moved anyway. Waiting for perfect timing or total clarity is the surest way to stay stuck. Progress happens when you take a step, not when you finish planning it.
3. Faith is a verb
In Lech Lecha, faith isn’t a belief. It’s an action. Avraham walked into the unknown because he trusted there was purpose waiting ahead. You don’t need to see the entire path to start walking. You just need to trust that the next step will reveal itself.
When you look closely, the command “Lech Lecha” literally means “Go to yourself.” The journey outward is also a journey inward. Each time we leave a comfort zone, we uncover a deeper layer of who we really are.
That’s the essence of spiritual and personal growth. It’s not about running from the old, but walking toward the truest version of ourselves.
This week, take your own Lech Lecha. Leave one comfort zone. Make one move that scares you, not recklessly, but purposefully. The unknown isn’t something to fear; it’s where transformation begins.
Because in the end, every great story starts with a step into the unfamiliar.
And as always, the only way is up.
Nachman (Nathan) Hoffman is a leadership coach, entrepreneur and CEO. With over 20 years of experience in business and personal development, he helps individuals and organizations align vision, growth and values.