This week’s Torah portion brings us to a transition. Abraham and Sarah die, and we read about the descendants of Isaac and Ishmael. We also read the beginning of the story of Jacob. In the Jewish world we like to say dor l’dor (i.e., from generation to generation).

The first words of the Torah portion and the first words that God speaks to Abraham is “Go!” Literally the text says” “Go, you go!” It reminds me of the first words of Yeshua to some of his disciples.