Adapted from Imrei Shefer, published in 1895, the Parshot HaShavua commentaries of Rav Shlomo Kluger (1783-1869) who was chief Dayan and preacher of Brody in Galicia for more than 50 years.
Rav Kluger opens by noting that, as Rashi points out, the word לך - “to yourself” - in the opening verse is presumably superfluous. Rashi interprets it as “for your own benefit and well-being”. But Rav Kluger reminds us that there is a parallel use of the word in Bamidbar 13:2 – “send you - לך - men” but there, Rashi interprets it as meaning “according to your understanding” in the sense of God is not actually commanding Moses but leaves it up to Moses’ own volition.
To solve the differentiation in the two instances, Rav Kluger recalls the principle that ‘one who is commanded and acts accordingly, his reward is in the World-to-Come’. He surmises that God’s intention was that Avram should gain and benefit from his residency in Eretz-Yisrael and therefore we should understand the use of “to yourself” as permitting Avram to gain benefits in This World by absolving him of a cognizant act.
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