Lech Lecha; Self

The parsha, named for Gd's instruction to Abra(ha)m has an obvious extra word, lecha: for you.   Rashi says that the Lecha implies: for your benefit, for your good.  Perhaps it could also mean: for your "you". to establish your identity.  This exodus of Abra(ha)m, separating from his ancestral home. from his parents, is the  first step in his discovery of self. 

Leaving his father to journey to Canaan is an act of great courage.  He is leaving his tribe, his support and entering the unknown,  Once he leaves the tribe, he cannot return- even when there is a famine in the new land.  Instead, he goes to Egypt, the great autocracy.  In Egypt, if it is good, it goes to the officers.  If it is great, like beautiful Sara(i), it goes to the Pharaoh. Here Abra(ha)m deals with desperation and becomes indebted to his wife for saving his life, Here Abra(ha)m stays with his wife, even though it could cost  him his life, [He could have disavowed her]

Throughout the parsha we see Abraham interact with other people and peoples: and remain separate from them,  He does not join the Emori, or the Egyptians, or the Five Towns people ( Sodom, etc).  He interacts with them, intercalates among them, sometimes he rescues them in war ; but he remains separate. He does not adopt their values

The latter portion of the parsha deals with Abraham's desire for legacy.  He does not find it in his first son - call him Ishmael; he finds it in the  circumcision, the act of courage for the sake of identity that we still do to our baby sons at 8 days.  We impress the identity that we inherit from Abraham upon babies is a way they can never reverse.  ( The Nazis used it to identify Jews for victimhood). 

Courage is the road to identity  Identity requires courage.