Go out of your land... and I will make your name great (Gen. 12:1,2)
Why did G-d find it necessary to promise Abraham that his name would be great? Did Abraham really care about personal fame? Our Sages taught that the mention of Abraham's name caused G-d's name to be sanctified. Abraham's whole life was spent spreading the knowledge of the one G-d. Wherever he went he caused people to think about their Creator. Thus, whenever Abraham's name was mentioned, G-d's name was sanctified, too. (Likutei Sichot)
Abram took Sarai his wife... and the souls they had made in Charan (Gen. 12:5)
If all the scientists in the world attempted to create even a mosquito, they could not succeed in imbuing it with life. What then, is meant by "the souls they had made"? Rashi explains that this refers to those whom they "brought under the wings of the Divine Presence." Abraham spread the belief in one G-d among the men, and Sarai among the women; they are therefore credited with having "created" the new believers. (Midrash)
And Abram called there in the name of G-d (Gen. 13:4)
Our Sages taught: Do not read vayikra - "and he called," but rather vayakri - "and he caused others to call." Abraham erected a way-station for travelers in the middle of the desert, and taught each person who partook of his hospitality about the oneness of G-d. Abraham was not content to be the only one to call on G-d's name - he caused others to come to appreciate and thank G-d for His goodness.
The name Abraham
Rashi explains that the changing of Abraham's name from Avram, meaning "the father of Aram"-Mesopotamia-to Avraham, meaning "father of many nations," shows how our forefather transcended his previous level of spirituality and achieved a new level of service. As reflected in his name, Abraham was thus given the potential to elevate the entire world.
Reprinted from the Parashat Lech Lecha 5763/2002 edition of L’Chaim
