Think back to the 1930s in the United States. The country in the greatest financial depression ever known since the government and banks were founded.
...but, nature decided to have its say and create the greatest famine the country has ever known: The Dust Bowl.
People flocked to the cities and towns to get better opportunities for -- something -- anything.
Abram wasn't poor by any means, but he left his home to establish a firm place -- a homeland for his progeny for which he hoped and prayed, but, yet had not known firmly. The Eternal spoke to him; he was told to leave the land to the new land, which was a clue for the future...
...but after arriving and setting up shop, they had to flee again due to the famine. Egypt took them in with open arms and he was very friendly with everyone -- as long as people thought that Sarai was his sister. While effectively, she was, but, also, while they didn't realize that she was his wife, things went very well.
They found themselves fleeing -- back to from whence they came -- in fits and bounds.
During the Great Depression, several folks found themselves fleeing to town and yes, even often telling stories so that the townsfolk wouldn't cast them off as some kind of yokels...only to be chased back to their rural homes to thrive back where they are themselves.
After eons and millennia, the more things change, the more they remain the same.
Personally, I reflect on this Torah portion as it resembles my life's travels and movements. I left the State of Maine with my family years ago to Ohio -- meeting new people and trying to tell the story of our existence to people who don't know us from -- well -- Adam. 'only to finally make my way back home to Maine, where I feel I belong. As an adult, I also ran for my life to get back to a place where I should be...where the Eternal seems to think I should be.
What I love about the Torah, especially separated into portions, is the sense of anticipation...but wait -- there's more.
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