Parsha & Prose with Rabbi Shlomo Gemara: Lech Lecha & The Great Gatsby (Audio)

In Lech Lecha, God commands Abraham to leave his homeland and embark on a journey toward an unknown future, a theme that resonates with the pursuit of self-invention and the promise of reinvention central to The Great Gatsby. Just as Jay Gatsby is driven by his own vision of the American Dream—an aspiration built on a carefully curated persona and the belief that one can transcend past limitations—Abraham’s journey is marked by a sense of yearning for a better future, propelled by faith rather than material ambition. Both Abraham and Gatsby are seekers, with dreams that shape their identities and destinies. Yet, while Gatsby’s pursuit leads to tragedy, Abraham's faith allows him to become a foundational figure for generations to come, symbolizing the difference between a dream built on illusion and one rooted in divine promise. In both stories, the journey is not just physical but existential, exploring the tension between identity, ambition, and the larger forces that shape a life’s purpose. This episode is brought to you by Avrum Rosensweig's Art. See www.avrumrosensweigart.com