Genesis 18:1–22:24
Parshat Vayeira
G-d appears to Abraham as he sits at the entrance of his tent recovering from his circumcision, and he runs to welcome three guests who announce that Sarah will have a son. Abraham pleads for Sodom, which is destroyed while Lot is rescued. Isaac is born, Hagar and Ishmael are sent away, and the portion reaches its climax with the Akeidah, the binding of Isaac.
Essays
Parsha Vayeira – Don’t Forget the Low When You Go High Abraham had just undergone circumcision at the age of 99 and was sitting at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. Our… Parsha Vayeira – 30 and 36 Tzadikim to Bring Moshiach Not all Tzadikkim are created equal. Some focus on the royal aspects of life in anticipation of the future Messianic Age. Others empower us to fight the darkness of exile. The ideal tzadik is to combine both approaches. Parsha Vayeira – A Rebel Without a Cause In Jewish thought, there is a strong bond that connects the pioneers with those who complete the task. The pioneers were the Patriarchs and we, the generation that will bring the Redemption, are the ones who make all the efforts of the past bear fruit. Parsha Vayeira – Dietary Laws Observed The saga of Abraham and the angels teaches us something about what makes humans unique and even superior to angels. That is why we received the Torah and not them. Parsha Vayeira – Happy for Someone Else’s Happiness for You There are many levels of happiness. The basic level is happiness for the good we receive from G-d. The next level is the happiness we feel for the good that others receive. A higher level is the happiness we feel for the happiness of others. The highest is the happiness we feel when others feel happ Parsha Vayeira – Home Sweet Home Of the three human necessities, food, clothing and shelter, the Torah places an even greater emphasis on shelter. Shortage of food makes us hungry. Lack of clothing renders us cold. Homelessness denies us our human dignity. Parsha Vayeira – In the Midst of the City A few Inspirational People can Change an Entire City. A few good deeds, nay, even one, can save the world and bring Moshiach! Parsha Vayeira – Laugh Last G-d has great expectations of His people. Particularly in our age as we stand on the cusp of the Final Redemption. Parsha Vayeira – Laughing Our Way to Redemption There are three ways we can view G-d’s role in our lives. The first is to see His role in nature. The second is to see his role in inspiring us with His wisdom. The third is to see His supernatural role. Parsha Vayeira – Mine Is Mine and Yours Is Yours—this Is the Way of Sodom Giving with the wrong intention is still a Mitzvah. However, even a Mitzvah can be tainted with Sodomite insensitivity. Our challenge is to remove the smallest residue of Sodomite blindness from our Mitzvos. Parsha Vayeira – Mamre’s Advice Accepting advice from others is virtuous on two counts. It gives you objective analysis and it also uplifts the advisor and allows him or her to enter into your world. Parsha Vayeira – Sealing Off the Two Open Sides of the Alley There are three sources of influence in our lives: Internal, Mentor and Community. Our generation is fortunate to have the best of all three. Parsha Vayeira – Slouching Towards Gemara Evil has to be fought on all fronts. We must focus on evil actions as well as evil ideas. Parsha Vayeira – The Desert, Land and Sea All of life’s challenges are best met when we approach them with the Abrahamic virtue of love and kindness. Parsha Vayeira – The Laugh of the Future Laughter comes in two forms; for the here and now and for the future. Laughter for the here in now is human; laughter for the future is Divine. Parsha Vayeira – The Natural Way Some religions glorify nature. Others shun the forces of nature. Judaism believes that the Torah was given to elevate nature. Parsha Vayeira – The Test After the Test The most important part of meeting a challenge is the follow up after meeting that challenge. Parsha Vayeira – Three Tiered Tarrying One of the challenges to our belief and anticipation for Moshiach is the fear of change. We can overcome that fear when we realize that all of the changes will seamlessly fit into our lives and unmitigated good will follow. Parsha Vayeira – Total Transparency The reason we revere Moses and Moses-like individuals is not because of their greatness but because they are so self-effacing and transparent that they channel G-d’s light without any filter. Parsha Vayeira – Walking Together Retirement is an invention of Western Civilization. Its underlying ethos is in direct opposition to the values of Judaism. no matter how great our early achievements, the Torah, Health permitting, wants us to “keep on trucking.” Parsha Vayeira – When Going Through the Motions Counts Many have wondered which is preferable: Good and sincere intentions without action or action without sincerity, The answer is action that impacts the world trumps sincerity without action. However, Judaism’s ideal is to combine the two. Parsha Vayeira – “Yes We Kain” There is a dichotomy between what is intended and what is actualized. G-d’s confirmation of His creation is what made the creation capable of fulfilling its mission.