Midrash:

Midrash Rabbah - Torah 

Parsha:

Lech Lecha,  Noach,  Vayeira 

Description

When Hashem charged Avraham with his mission, He directed him to leave his father's house. This could easily be seen as an obstacle to his mission - for how could he demonstrate "the way of Hashem, doing justice and righteousness" if he abandoned his father for the last 60 years of his life. We explore several Midrashic (and proto-Midrashic) traditions about their relationship and find that these traditions do not speak in one voice We also explore the textual basis for these traditions and note the nuances which allow for these exegetical approaches to develop.