Derasha 1 on Lech Lecha 12:10

TT #1 · Parashas Lech Lecha · First Aliyah · Passuk 12:10

Complete Passuk

וַיְהִ֥י רָעָ֖ב בָּאָ֑רֶץ וַיֵּ֨רֶד אַבְרָ֤ם מִצְרַ֙יְמָה֙ לָג֣וּר שָׁ֔ם כִּֽי־כָבֵ֥ד הָרָעָ֖ב בָּאָֽרֶץ׃

There was a famine in the land, and Avram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land.

Chabad / Judaica Press

Source Citation

TT points to Bava Kamma 60b: “When there is famine in the city, scatter your feet.”

E-Daf image

Core Text

Core Text תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: רָעָב בָּעִיר — פַּזֵּר רַגְלֶיךָ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר וַיְהִי רָעָב בָּאָרֶץ וַיֵּרֶד אַבְרָם מִצְרַיְמָה לָגוּר שָׁם.
English of Core Text: The Sages taught: when there is famine in the city, scatter your feet (leave), as it is said “There was a famine in the land, and Avram went down to Egypt to sojourn there.”
On the daf / in context: The baraita uses Avram’s descent as the prototype for the practical ruling that one may (or should) leave a place of famine.

Type of Learning

Custom

What Is Learned

Avram’s descent to Egypt is the classic source for the advice to leave a famine-stricken place.