For Abraham's Sake God Created the World in Lech Lecha

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Lech Lecha 4:5

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

Another interpretation (of Genesis 12:1): GO FORTH. For your sake I created the world. Rabbi Tahalifa said: The Holy One, blessed be He, said: I looked upon you, and I created the world, as it is stated (in Genesis 2:4): "These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created (be-hibbar'am)." What is the meaning of "when they were created (be-hibbar'am)"? Through Abraham (be-Avraham) He created them.

Themes

AbrahamCreation

Biblical References

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Book of JubileesStory of AbrahamThe Book of Jubilees, a text not found in the canonical Tanakh, but considered sacred in some Jewish traditions. It retells much of Genesis and Exodus, but withApocalypse of AbrahamAbraham Reasons Past Fire, Water, Earth, Sun, and MoonAbraham had demolished the idols. Now he turned his mind to the elements themselves. "Fire is more worthy of honor than all things formed," he reasoned, "becausApocalypse of AbrahamGod Promises Abraham Descendants Like the StarsThe Eternal Mighty One said: "Abraham, Abraham!" "Here I am." "Look down at the stars beneath your feet. Count them for me. Make known to me their number." AbraApocalypse of AbrahamAbraham Sees the Garden of Eden and the Abyss BelowGod told Abraham to look beneath his feet at the firmaments and understand the creation that was foreshadowed in the expanse, the creatures existing upon it, anLegends of the JewsAbraham Meets a Woman Searching for Her Lost ChildThat feeling, that fleeting nature of time, echoes in a powerful story about Abraham from Ginzberg's Legends of the Jews. Abraham, not yet the patriarch we knowLegends of the JewsEphron Charged Abraham Four Hundred Silver ShekelsLegends of the Jews turns to Ephron Charged Abraham Four Hundred Silver Shekels. So, Sarah has passed, and Abraham needs a burial place. He approaches the Child