“And the L-rd said to Abram, ‘Go out from your country, from your birthplace, and from your father’s house’” (Gen. 12:1)
The command to “go out”—to rise above one’s natural inclinations and attain greater spiritual heights—is directed to every individual. No one is expected to accomplish more than he is capable of, but everyone is expected to fulfill his full potential. G-d does not expect Reb Zushe to be a Baal Shem Tov; He does, however, expect him to be the best Reb Zushe he can be. (Rabbi Zushe of Anipoli)
“To a land that I will show you” (Gen. 12:1)
On a spiritual level, the “land that I will show you” refers to the revelation of G-dliness that comes as a reward for serving G-d. This service of “going out” involves connecting the soul as it is invested in the physical body with its higher spiritual source, which can perceive G-dliness. When the soul within the body connects with its higher source, it, too, benefits from this spiritual vision. (Ohr HaTorah)
“My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant” (Gen. 17:13)
Every mitzvah connects a Jew to G-d, but this bond is not visible to the physical eye. There is, however, one exception: the mitzvah of milah. Through this mitzvah, the Jew’s connection to G-d becomes manifest, even to the nations of the world. (Likkutei Sichot)