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Genesis 11:31 - Leaving for Canaan, stopping short?

Genesis 11:31 - בראשית 11:31

Hebrew Text

וַיִּקַּח תֶּרַח אֶת־אַבְרָם בְּנוֹ וְאֶת־לוֹט בֶּן־הָרָן בֶּן־בְּנוֹ וְאֵת שָׂרַי כַּלָּתוֹ אֵשֶׁת אַבְרָם בְּנוֹ וַיֵּצְאוּ אִתָּם מֵאוּר כַּשְׂדִּים לָלֶכֶת אַרְצָה כְּנַעַן וַיָּבֹאוּ עַד־חָרָן וַיֵּשְׁבוּ שָׁם׃

English Translation

And Teraĥ took Avram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son’s son, and Saray his daughter in law, his son Avram’s wife; and they went out with them from Ur-kasdim, to go into the land of Kena῾an; and they came to Ḥaran, and dwelt there.

Transliteration

Vayikach Terach et-Avram beno ve'et-Lot ben-Haran ben-beno ve'et Saray kalato eshet Avram beno vayetze'u itam me'Ur Kasdim lalechet artzah Kena'an vayavo'u ad-Charan vayeshvu sham.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּקַּ֨ח תֶּ֜רַח אֶת־אַבְרָ֣ם בְּנ֗וֹ וְאֶת־ל֤וֹט בֶּן־הָרָן֙ בֶּן־בְּנ֔וֹ וְאֵת֙ שָׂרַ֣י כַּלָּת֔וֹ אֵ֖שֶׁת אַבְרָ֣ם בְּנ֑וֹ וַיֵּצְא֨וּ אִתָּ֜ם מֵא֣וּר כַּשְׂדִּ֗ים לָלֶ֙כֶת֙ אַ֣רְצָה כְּנַ֔עַן וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ עַד־חָרָ֖ן וַיֵּ֥שְׁבוּ שָֽׁם׃
וַיִּקַּ֨ח תֶּ֜רַח אֶת־אַבְרָ֣ם בְּנ֗וֹ וְאֶת־ל֤וֹט בֶּן־הָרָן֙ בֶּן־בְּנ֔וֹ וְאֵת֙ שָׂרַ֣י כַּלָּת֔וֹ אֵ֖שֶׁת אַבְרָ֣ם בְּנ֑וֹ וַיֵּצְא֨וּ אִתָּ֜ם מֵא֣וּר כַּשְׂדִּ֗ים לָלֶ֙כֶת֙ אַ֣רְצָה כְּנַ֔עַן וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ עַד־חָרָ֖ן וַיֵּ֥שְׁבוּ שָֽׁם׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Journey of Terach and Avram

The verse describes Terach taking his son Avram, his grandson Lot, and his daughter-in-law Sarai from Ur Kasdim toward Canaan, settling temporarily in Charan. Rashi (on Bereishit 11:31) explains that Terach initiated this journey after Avram was miraculously saved from Nimrod's fiery furnace (as recounted in Midrash Bereishit Rabbah 38:13). Although Terach began the journey, the ultimate divine command to proceed to Canaan was given later to Avram alone (Bereishit 12:1).

Why Did They Stop in Charan?

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 44b) suggests that Terach's spiritual journey was incomplete—he started with the intention of reaching Canaan but stopped in Charan due to his lingering attachment to idolatry (as hinted in Yehoshua 24:2). Ramban (on Bereishit 11:28) adds that Charan was a midpoint, allowing Avram to prepare for his future mission in Canaan.

The Significance of the Group

  • Avram: The primary figure, chosen by Hashem to establish monotheism (Rambam, Hilchot Avodah Zarah 1:3).
  • Lot: Though initially righteous, his later choices diverged from Avraham’s path (Bereishit Rabbah 41:7).
  • Sarai: A prophetess and partner in Avram’s mission (Talmud, Megillah 14a).

Ur Kasdim and Charan as Spiritual Symbols

Midrash Tanchuma (Lech Lecha 3) interprets Ur Kasdim ("fire of the Chaldeans") as a metaphor for the trials Avram endured, while Charan ("wrath" in Hebrew) represents the challenges of transitioning from idolatry to monotheism. The pause in Charan symbolizes the gradual process of spiritual growth.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Terah leave Ur Kasdim with Avram, Lot, and Sarai?
A: According to Rashi and Midrashic sources (Bereishit Rabbah 38:13), Terah left Ur Kasdim because King Nimrod had thrown Avram into a fiery furnace for his monotheistic beliefs. Hashem miraculously saved Avram, and this event prompted the family to leave. The Torah emphasizes this journey as the beginning of Avram's path toward becoming Avraham, the father of the Jewish people.
Q: Why did they stop in Charan instead of going straight to Canaan?
A: The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 39:7) explains that Terah initially intended to go to Canaan but stopped in Charan because he was spiritually unprepared to fully commit to Hashem's plan. Avram later completed the journey after Hashem's direct command (Lech Lecha). Charan represents a 'halfway point'—both geographically and spiritually.
Q: Why is Sarai referred to as both 'daughter-in-law' and 'wife of Avram' in this verse?
A: Rashi notes that the dual description teaches that Sarai was both righteous in her role as a daughter-in-law (showing respect to Terah) and as a wife to Avram. The Talmud (Yevamot 61b) also highlights that Sarai was originally Terah's daughter (making her Avram's sister as well as wife), showing the family's close ties before the prohibition of such marriages was given at Sinai.
Q: What is the significance of Ur Kasdim in Jewish tradition?
A: Ur Kasdim (in modern-day Iraq) was a center of idol worship, as described in the Talmud (Avodah Zarah 11b). Avram's departure from there symbolizes the rejection of paganism. The Zohar teaches that 'Ur' (אור) means 'fire,' alluding both to the furnace Avram survived and the 'light' of monotheism he brought to the world.
Q: Why does the Torah mention Lot traveling with them?
A: Lot's inclusion shows that Avram took responsibility for his orphaned nephew (Haran, Lot's father, had died earlier). However, later in Genesis (13:5-13), their paths diverge when Lot chooses materialism (Sodom) over Avram's spiritual values. This teaches that even righteous influences can't guarantee others' choices, as noted by Ramban.