Lech Lecha – Choose the Big Picture

Parshas Lech Lecha begins with Hashem telling Avraham to leave Charan and travel to the Land of Canaan. Upon his arrival he is faced with a famine and heads down to Egypt. When the famine ends Avraham, his wife Sarai and nephew Lot return to Canaan. Following their return to Canaan from Mitzrayim in the wake of the famine, the Torah recounts that Avraham and his nephew Lot had become very wealthy, yet there was not enough pasture available for both of their flocks. Lot permitted his shepherds to allow his flocks to graze in adjacent fields, which led to Avraham's shepherds reprimanding them for theft, resulting in a dispute.

To prevent the conflict from escalating, Avraham encouraged Lot to separate and choose his preferred location for settlement. It would be Lot's decision, while Avraham would proceed in the opposite direction. Lot surveys the landscape and notices the abundant green pastures of the valley extending towards Sedom, which he decides to claim for himself. As the account of Lot progresses in Parshas Vayaira, he settles in Sedom, and shortly thereafter, the city is destroyed by Hashem on account of the sins of the people, with only Lot and his two daughters being spared.

When Lot makes this decision, the verse indicates, 'Lot chose for himself the entire Jordan Plain and Lot traveled eastward.' The Midrash says the Torah's term for east is derived from the same root as 'מקדמונו', which signifies the 'Originator' of the world. In effect, Lot's choice reflected his sentiment of 'I desire neither Avram nor his God.' Numerous individuals relocate to new cities in pursuit of business and employment prospects. What was it about the decision to move away that indicated he wished to sever ties with Hashem or even Avraham?

Now vs Later

The discussion surrounding instant versus delayed gratification is extensive. Instant gratification is typically characterized as the urge to fulfill a need or desire right away, which leads to a short-lived, often fleeting, sense of pleasure. On the other hand, delayed gratification is the ability to resist the temptation of immediate rewards to achieve a more significant or meaningful reward in the future. Although instant gratification can offer certain advantages and may be necessary at times, individuals who consistently opt for immediate gratification over delayed gratification may struggle to achieve a sense of contentment or satisfaction, as the desire for gratification tends to intensify with age.

An individual capable of postponing gratification typically exhibits a more tranquil demeanor. They tend to make thoughtful decisions that are informed by their long-term goals. This practice often leads to a greater sense of fulfillment, as they have conditioned themselves to accept that not every situation must meet their immediate desires or occur within their preferred timeframe. This skill fosters patience in various aspects of life, for instance, when encountering traffic jams or flight delays, a person who can manage such setbacks is likely to handle them with a more positive attitude and composure.

Personal Growth and Choices

The journey of personal growth is a protracted endeavor that is predicated on the notion of delayed gratification. An individual can only achieve growth by deferring immediate rewards. For example, a runner preparing for a marathon does not halt their training after merely one day. They do not treat themselves to a day off as a 'reward' for a single day of effort. They recognize that achieving the goal of running a marathon requires determination, consistency, rigorous training, and resilience. The experience may not always be pleasant or enjoyable. However, once they cross the finish line of the marathon, the sacrifices and delay will undoubtedly be rewarding.

The path one follows in pursuit of a life that is close to Hashem is characterized by deferred gratification and the understanding that our decisions should reflect that relationship. Each decision we face requires us to evaluate whether it will yield immediate satisfaction or contribute to the enduring objective of a deeper connection with Hashem. The Mesilas Yisharim states that the purpose behind Hashem's creation of this world was to provide mankind with the ultimate form of pleasure, which is the closeness to Hashem.

The Choice not Considered

Lot requires grazing land for his livestock, however, he does not care if they feed by trespassing on another's land. I want it right away! When presented with the decision of which way to go, he sees only two options. He can either go left or right He opts for the route leading to Sedom, a city renowned for its wickedness. This decision was made due to its immediate accessibility and the beautiful pasture he was seeking.

Yet, a third alternative was available. He could have, and indeed should have, chosen to view the situation in the boarder context. He could have opted to align his actions with the will of Hashem. Hashem despises theft. Lot had the ability to resolve to cease rationalizing his unethical behavior and would stay near his righteous Uncle Avram. By failing to even contemplate this option, he was indeed indicating 'I do not wish for either Avram or his God.'

Every individual encounters a multitude of choices each day. Choose wisely. Cultivate the ability to postpone gratification, even if only slightly more each day. These choices will accumulate, enabling you to achieve the personal development you desire and to enhance and deepen your connection with Hashem, ultimately leading to the highest form of pleasure.