Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did God tell Avram to look in all directions after Lot left?
A: According to Rashi, God showed Avram the entire Land of Israel to reassure him that even though Lot took part of the land, Avram would still inherit it all. This was a promise that his descendants would possess the land in all directions.
Q: What is the significance of God speaking to Avram after Lot separated from him?
A: The Midrash explains that as long as Lot was with Avram, God's presence couldn't fully rest upon Avram because Lot was involved in improper behavior. Once they separated, God could give Avram this special prophecy and blessing about the land.
Q: Why does the verse mention all four directions (north, south, east, west)?
A: The Ramban teaches that mentioning all four directions emphasizes the completeness of God's promise - that Avram's descendants would inherit the land in its entirety, without any limitations or exclusions in any direction.
Q: What lesson can we learn from God telling Avram to 'lift up your eyes'?
A: The Sforno explains this teaches us that spiritual vision requires effort - we must 'lift our eyes' from mundane matters to properly perceive God's blessings and promises in our lives, just as Avram had to physically look up to see his inheritance.
Q: How does this promise to Avram affect Jewish people today?
A: This verse establishes the eternal Jewish connection to the Land of Israel. As Maimonides writes, this promise applies to all generations, and the land remains the eternal inheritance of the Jewish people as descendants of Avraham.
The Context of the Divine Command
This verse (Bereishit 13:14) follows the separation of Avram and Lot, as Lot chose to dwell in the fertile plain of Sodom. Rashi explains that Hashem waited until Lot departed before speaking to Avram to emphasize that as long as the wicked Lot was with him, the Divine Presence could not rest upon Avram. This teaches the principle of distancing oneself from negative influences to attain spiritual clarity.
The Significance of "Lift Up Your Eyes"
The command "שא נא עיניך" ("Lift up now thy eyes") carries deep symbolism. The Kli Yakar notes that physical sight parallels spiritual perception. Avram was instructed to elevate his vision beyond the material world to recognize Hashem's providence in the land. The Sforno adds that this was a promise that his descendants would inherit the land in all directions, reinforcing the covenant.
The Four Directions: North, South, East, West
The listing of the four cardinal directions holds mystical and practical significance:
The Timing After Lot's Departure
The Ohr HaChaim highlights that this revelation came specifically "after Lot was separated from him". This teaches that Avram's spiritual potential could only be fully realized once he distanced himself from Lot's morally compromising influence. The separation allowed Avram to become the singular progenitor of the Jewish people, untainted by Lot's association with Sodom.