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Weekly Reading Insights:
Vayeira 5780
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To be read on Shabbat Vayeira, 18 Cheshvan 5780/Nov.16, 2019
Torah: Genesis 18:1-22:24; Haftorah: Kings II 4:1-37
(because of v.22, similar to the angels' promise to Avraham)
Vayeira is the 4th Reading out of 12 in Genesis and it contains 7862
letters, in 2085 words, in 147 verses
Avraham interrupted a conversation with G-d to run and offer
three people walking by a rest stop and food. They were angels from G-d, who
told him that Sarah would have a son next year, and that G-d was about to
wipe out Sodom. Avraham prayed for the people there. The messengers continued
to Sodom, and were invited home by Lot. They told Lot to flee with his family,
and not to look back. They ran, but his wife looked back and became a pillar
of salt. The five cities were destroyed. Lot and his two daughters moved into
a cave. Thinking they were sole survivors in the world, the daughters got
their father drunk and had his sons. Avraham visited Gerar, announcing that
Sarah was his sister. The king Avimelech took her, but G-d told him in a dream
that she was already married and that he must return her to her husband. Sarah
gave birth to Yitzchak, whom Avraham circumcised when he was eight days old.
Avraham sent Hagar and Yishmael away, as Sarah did not want Yitzchak to share
his inheritance. G-d promised Hagar that Yishmael would also become a great
nation. Avraham and Avimelech made an oath regarding the well which Avraham
had dug, and a peace treaty. G-d tested Avraham and told him to bring his
son Yitzchak as an offering. At the last moment a voice from heaven stopped
him, telling him that he had proved his faith. Avraham offered a ram instead.
G-d blessed him that he would have many descendants.
 An
Essay from
Rabbi Shaul Yosef Leiter, Director of Ascent
(for a free weekly email subscription, click
here)
There is an interesting question (and explanation) in our Torah portion this
week (Vayeira)) on the verse (Bereishit 18:13-14) "And G-d said to Avraham,
'Why did Sarah laugh, saying, 'Is it really true that I will give birth, although
I am old?' Is anything hidden from G-d?..." Why does the Torah expand at
length on this discussion between Avraham and Sarah (and seemingly denigrating
our righteous matriarch) about whether she laughed or not on hearing the news
that she would become pregnant?
The Chafetz Chaim (Yisrael Meir haKohen Kagan 1839-1933) explains by quoting
"The actions of our patriarchs is a sign for the children" (Midrash
- Bereishit Rabbah). Whatever happened to our patriarchs (and matriarchs) will
also happen to us - the generation living in the times of the coming of Mashiach.
Many people ask," How will it happen, that suddenly Mashiach will come
and redeem us?" and, with a laugh, they dismiss the thought, saying that
it can't possibly happen.
For this reason, the Torah relates the episode about Sarah laughing at length,
so that we should know that G-d was angered by Sarah's behavior and complained
about her reaction to Avraham. G-d asked Avraham why Sarah did not believe the
message. Why did she not have faith and answer "Amen"? For "Is
anything hidden from G-d?" Similarly, we must remember that at any second
G-d can bring the redemption and can overturn everything and give us light,
goodness and blessing.
Don't underestimate the Almighty.
(Translated by RR from "Likutim V'Sippurim Niflaim -Vayeira")
During one of the first years of the leadership of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, an
elder chassid was taking a walk on the street opposite 770 Eastern Parkway (the
address of the Rebbe's headquarters in Brooklyn, NY) in the heat of a summer
Shabbat afternoon, not wearing a hat or the customary sirtuk (a frock-coat
customarily worn by chassidim, particularly on Shabbat and festivals). The elder
chassid was strolling and humming a niggun (Chassidic melody) to himself
when suddenly the Rebbe came out to the street, seemingly an unplanned action
on his part.
The Rebbe came up to the chassid and smiled. The chassid began to apologize
to the Rebbe - if he had known that the Rebbe was going to come out, he would
have been dressed in his Shabbat attire.
The Rebbe responded, "Look how I suddenly appeared unexpectedly! This is
exactly how Mashiach will arrive! No one will be expecting him, or know that
is he is really on his way - and suddenly - he will be here!"
( Torat Menachem)
Shabbat shalom, Shaul.
(for a free weekly email subscription, click
here)
For last year's essay by Rabbi Leiter on this week's Reading,
see the archive.
FROM
THE SAGES OF KABBALAH ON KabbalaOnline.org
Specifically, for an overview
of the recommended articles in the columns:
Holy Zohar, Holy Ari, Mystic Classics, Chasidic Masters, Contemporary Kabbalists,
and more,
click to Vayeira
one sample:
Contemporary Kabbalists
 Ultimate
Desire
By Rabbi Avraham Brandwein
The main accomplishment and benefit gained in the performance of a mitzvah is
the actual effort itself. Even after Abraham prepared the feast for his guests,
they did not eat because they were angels. Similarly, in the test of the binding
of Isaac, he ultimately did not slaughter his son. Rather, the many arrangements
and traveling and personal preparations [mentally, emotionally and spiritually]
are considered as if the mitzvah had actually come to fruition.
To continue, click
here.
For a free email subscription to our weekly anthology, click
here.
For another taste of recommended Kabbalah articles on a variety of subjects,
click to the our
weekly Kabbalah magazine
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