For Youth נר לאפרים

VAYEIRA וירא

QUIPS FOR THE WEEK SIGN OF THE TIMES First National Bank of Dad and Mom: Sorry, Closed.

POINT OF VIEW I wear my wife's eyeglasses because she wants me to see things her way.

Who Am I? I sat “idly” instead of rising

My “presence” gains merit for B’nei Yisrael

My contribution was small in number but large in stature

I traded my happiness for another’s tears

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Collection compiled hopefully for the elucidation of Torah

CONTENTS Parsha Word Search

Parsha Sudoku

Parsha Places & Life

Parsha Gematria

It All Adds Up

VaYeira Math

Torah Teasers

Sheva Kolos – 7 Questions

Parsha Math

Pictures of the Parsha

Parsha Crossword Puzzle

Answer Sheets

Please Tell Us What the Rebbe Said

Kinder Torah

Parsha Flashcards

Parsha Pizzazz

Yossi & Co.

Parsha VaYeira נר לאפרים

א נ ש ו ו י ר א ש ג ג ז

ב ח ב א ה צ ד י ק ב ק ה

ר נ ת ת ו ח ט ו מ נ י א

ה י ע י מ ק ה פ ל ת ד מ

ם כ ו נ ל מ ל א כ י ם י

ה י צ ן צ ב ר י ת ך ן ר

א ו ר ן פ ב י א ר א ו א

צ מ א י נ ח צ מ א ר א ת

ל ע ע ה ה פ ל י ט ב י ו

מ ש ק ש ת ב ן ו ה נ א ם

י י ג ת ש ל מ ח ט ס ז מ

ע ש ר י ם ד ע ש ר ה צ ה

אברהם יצחק ממרא צדיק

לוט בנתיך צעקתם עשרים

שרה ברית נסה מלאכים

Why is the mountain called Har HaMoriah?

ש_ _ _ _ _ _ של הקב"ה נעשה ההר

PARSHA SUDOKU

פרשת וירא Place the letters (or image) into each box so that each row across and each column

down and each box-square will contain all the letters (or images).Remember that

each letter or image may appear only once in any row, column, or box-square

BEGINNERS LEVEL (6 x 6)

ל ז ק נ י ו

ו י

נ ל

ק ו

ו ז

ל ו

ז נ

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL (9 x 9)

צ ד ק ה ו מ ש פ ט

ו צ פ

צ מ

מ ה ש ו

מ ש ק צ ט ה

פ ש

ה ו ש ד פ ק

ט פ ד מ

ש ה

ד ה ו

ADVANCED LEVEL (9 x 9)

צ ד ק ה ו מ ש פ ט

Every Day should be Thanksgiving Day (8th Sefirah)

ו צ פ

צ מ

מ ה ש ו

מ ש ק ט ה

פ ש

ה ו ש ד פ ק

ט פ ד מ

ש ה

ד ה ו

פרשת חי וצומח In the Parsha VaYeira

Plants Places Animals

Compiled from: WWW.ORT.ORG The Living Torah by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan

Tamarisk

אשל The Hebrew term eshel in Genesis 21:33 is viewed by some as a reference to the

tamarisk. Other scholars dispute this and suggest instead that the term refers to the shittim tree. The above tree was planted by Abraham at the site in which he concluded a treaty with Avimelekh. Abraham then used the site of the planted tree to invoke the name of G-d. The tamarisk has a horizontal shape and leaves which are similar to those of the cypress tree. Habitat: The tree can be found in the Israeli desert.

Ammon,

Ammonites

עמון

1. The territory occupied by the Ammonites, which lay east of the river Jordan between the areas occupied by the

Gileadites and the Moabites. Their main settlement was at Rabbah or Rabat-Ammon, the present-day capital of

Jordan. 2. Said to be the descendants of Ben-Ami, Lot's second son by his incestuous union with his younger daughter

(Genesis 19:38).They were an ancient tribe living to the north-east of the Dead Sea, usually referred to in the Bible

as b'nei Ammon (sons of Ammon) and were bitter enemies of the Israelites. G-d told Moses not to occupy the land of the Ammonites during the latter part of the Exodus, as it had been given as a heritage to the descendants of Lot

(Deuteronomy 2:19). Israelites were forbidden to marry Ammonites or Moabites (Deuteronomy 23:4).

Beer-sheba

באר שבע A town in southern Canaan, whose name is variously interpreted as 'well of the seven' or 'well of the oath', in reference

to the treaties between Abraham and Abimelekh and Isaac and Abimelekh.It was the home of Abraham after the

binding of Isaac. It is often referred to as the southern limit of the inhabited portion of the Promised Land.

Bela

בלע One of the five Cities of the Plain mentioned in Genesis 18 and 19. It was spared from the destruction of Sodom at

the plea of Lot, who went there with his two daughters. Renamed Tzoar after the destruction of the Cities of the Plain.

Gerar

גרר A city in southern Canaan, mentioned as the seat of Avimelekh in Genesis 20 and 26. It formed part of the territory

later occupied by the Philistines.

Paran Desert

מדבר פרן Area north of Sinai and south of Canaan, reaching towards Elath. Home of Ishmael (Genesis 21:21). The

Israelites camped here and the twelve spies were sent to Canaan (Numbers 13:3, 21). Chovev led the Israelites

through the Sinai desert to Paran: see Graves-of-Craving (Kivroth HaTaavah).Moses described G-d's

commandments to the Israelites in the vicinity of Paran (Deuteronomy 1:1). This area is now called el-Tih. Under

the name of Mount Paran it is mentioned in the blessing of Moses at Deuteronomy 33:2.

Shur Desert

מדבר שור Also known as the Wilderness of Shur, the arid region in north-west Sinai, south of the Mediterranean coastline and the

Philistine Highway. Shur lay on an important trade route between Palestine and Egypt. Abraham lived between

Kadesh and Shur before travelling to Gerar (Genesis 20:1), and Sarah's handmaid Hagar fled to a well past

Kadesh on the way to Shur ( 16:7). The Israelites entered the Shur desert after passing through the Red Sea before

travelling southwards into Sinai (Exodus 15:22).

Tzevoyim One of the five Cities of the Plain whose destruction is described in Genesis 18 and 19, see Sodom. It

is also alluded to at Deuteronomy 29:22.

Tzoar One of the five Cities of the Plain whose destruction is described at Genesis 19. The name means 'junior' or

'insignificant', as it survived the disaster though reduced in size and importance. It was chosen by Lot as his refuge after

leaving Sodom. It is also mentioned at Deuteronomy 34:3, where Moses was shown the Promised Land from

Mount Nebo.

PARSHA GEMATRIA

VAYEIRA וירא

50+90+10+2 ותבט

40+30+8 אשתו

6+400+2+9 מאחריו

40+1+8+200+10+6 421 ותהי

6+400+5+10 421 נציב

1+300+400+6 מלח

Bonus: __________ Total Gematria value

ותבט אשתו מאחריו ותהי נציב מלח

But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt (Bereshis 19,26)

Hebrew Letters’ Numerical Value

א ב ג ד ה ו ז ח ט י כ ך

20 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

ל מ ם נ ן ס ע פ ף צ ץ ק ר ש ת

400 300 200 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30

Instructions: Using the key below for the numeric value of each Hebrew letter, determine:

1. On the left enter side the numeric value of each word taken from a portion of a verse in the Parsha;

then place that value in the blue column.

2. On the right side determine the product of the math operations; then place that value in the tan

column.

3. Then match the numbers from the right side to the left side by drawing a line.

It All Adds Up – Pashas VaYera

Fill in the missing numbers so each row, column, and diagonal each adds up!

• The missing numbers are Hebrew letters valued between 1 and 400.

• The numbers in each row add up to the number at the right of the row.

• The numbers in each column add up to the number at the bottom of the column.

• The numbers in each diagonal line add up the number to the right and above or below the

diagonal.

• Use Hebrew letters to enter the missing numbers.

Bonus: After completion, circle the Hebrew word for the for Avram’s new name.

379

287 ו י ר

131 ק ה כ ה

511 ד ש ה ב

26 ה ג ד ט

248 ם צ ח ק

113 222 323 326 219 251

Hebrew Letters’ Numerical Value

א ב ג ד ה ו ז ח ט י כ ך

20 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

ל מ ם נ ן ס ע פ ף צ ץ ק ר ש ת

400 300 200 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30

VaYeira Math

לבקר בחולה ( 383"וירא אליו ה' באלי" )יח,א( בגמט' )

עם הכולל( 1+ 846( להכניס האורחים )847)"יושב פתח האהל" )יח,א( בגמט'

אלו מיכאל גבריאל ורפאל( 701"והנה שלשה" )יח,ב( בגמט' )

)כשנולד יצחק( בפסח( 150"למועד")יח, יד( בגמט' )

מיכאל

“Who is like You among the powerful, G-d” "מי כמכה באלם ה'" )שמות טו, יא(

"מי כמוך עם נושע בה'" )דברים לג, כט( אין כאל ישרון" )דברים לג, כט(

“Who is like you, a nation whose salvation is in G-d” and “Yeshurun, there is none like G-d”

“Who is as powerful as You” ל כמוך" )מיכה ז, יח(-"מי א

“Who is like Havayah our G-d” )מי כה' אלקנו" )תהילים קיג, ה"

”על פני סדום )יח, טז( ס"ת מיל ששיעור מיל הלך עמהם לשלחם דשיעור לויה מיל

For he will command his children אשר יצוה את בניו" )יח, יט( ס"ת תורה"

)ויקרא( אליו מלא ך ה ' מן השמים )כב, יא( גמט' של ס"ת )ו,ב,ה,נ,מ( = 121

מיכאל היהזה גמט' של

Gematria: Every Hebrew letter has a numerical equivalent called its gematria. The

sum of the values of the letters of a word or a phrase is the gematria of that word or

phrase. Two words or phrases with the same gematria are seen as being related, and

that similarity indicates a basis for an allusion.

Notrikon is a phonetic method, whereby the syllables or letters that make up a

word are taken as separate units that refer to whole words, which usually make

up a phrase from the Tanach or an idiom of the Sages.

Sofei Teivos are the final letters of words in a phrase (either in

their respective order or as an anagram) often spell out a word or

phrase which may be used as the basis of an allusion.

Parshas VaYeira

1. Where is butter mentioned in this parsha? In what context is butter

mentioned in the Prophets?

2. In this parsha, who is referred to as being "elderly" with the

expression Zaken or Zekainim? (4 answers)

3. In this parsha, which two people question Hashem about killing a

tzaddik (righteous person)?

4. In this parsha, which two people make a Mishteh - "a feast"?

5. Where is salt mentioned in this parsha? When is the next time that salt is

mentioned in the Torah?

6. Aside from the book of Genesis, where else do the cities of Sodom and

Amora appear in the Torah?

7. In this parsha, who became intoxicated with wine? What other two people

in the book of Genesis became drunk?

8. With regard to which events does the Torah state that Avraham "arose

early in the morning"? (3 answers) Who else in this parsha arose early in

the morning?

9. Which two people give the same exact gifts to each other?

10. In this parsha, what happens "on the third day"? What other events in

the book of Genesis happen "on the third day"? (4 answers)

SHEVA KOLOS

Seven Questions for Seven Aliyos

Parshas VaYeira

Intended for use prior to each Aliyah so that a child (or anyone) would pay attention

First Aliyah

What Hebrew word has dots (nekudos) on top of the word?

Second Aliyah

Avrohom talked to HaShem in counts of 10 Tzadikim. What number was not a “ten”

number?

Third Aliyah

The Shalshelet (Hebrew: לת לש is a cantillation mark found in the Torah. It is one of the (ש

rarest used, occurring just four times in the entire Torah. What word in this Parsha has this mark?

Fourth Aliyah

What Hebrew word for the type of Pillar that Lot’s wife became?

Fifth Aliyah

HaShem heard the cry of whom?

Sixth Aliyah

How did the city of Beer-Sheva get its name? If “Beer” means well, what does “sheva”

mean?

Seventh Aliyah

What kind of animal did Avrohom ride?

PARSHA QUESTION BEFORE MAFTIR?

List the five angels mentioned in this Parsha?

MATH IN THE PARSHA

Yishmael (Ishmael) and Avraham (Abraham) Yishmael (Ishmael) was born to Avraham (Abraham) when he was 86 years old. Avraham

performed the Bris Milah (circumcision) on Yishmael when Avraham was 99 years old [Bereishis

(Genesis) 16:16, 17:24].

1. How old was Yishmael when he received Bris Milah?

99-86 = 13

Sedom & Gomorrah

Avraham (Abraham) asked Hashem to save the cities of Sedom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim,

and Zoar. Hashem agreed to save them if there were 50 righteous people between all of these

cities. According to Rashi each city required the same number of righteous to save it [Bereishis

(Genesis) 18: 24, 28].

2. How many righteous people would be necessary to protect each city?

HaShem then agreed to save them if there were only 45 righteous people in the cities.

3. How many righteous people would be necessary to protect each city?

45 divided by 5 = 9

Pictures from the implications and allusions in the Parsha and Rashi. Not an exact

interpretation.

Guess the representation of the picture by number

Based on Temunot b’Parsha publication

https://www.akhlah.com

ANSWER KEY

א נ ש ו ו י ר א ש ג ג ז

ב ח ב א ה צ ד י ק ב ק ה

ר נ ת ת ו ח ט ו מ נ י א

ה י ע י מ ק ה פ ל ת ד מ

ם כ ו נ ל מ ל א כ י ם י

ה י צ ן צ ב ר י ת ך ן ר

א ו ר ן פ ב י א ר א ו א

צ מ א י נ ח צ מ א ר א ת

ל ע ע ה ה פ ל י ט ב י ו

מ ש ק ש ת ב ן ו ה נ א ם

י י ג ת ש ל מ ח ט ס ז מ

ע ש ר י ם ד ע ש ר ה צ ה

Bonus Answer: מיראתו

Who Am I? Rochel I’meinu

ANSWER SHEET

BEGINNERS LEVEL (6 x 6)

ל ז ק נ י ו

ק ל ו י נ ז

נ ז י ו ק ל

ז ק נ ל ו י

י ו ל ק ז נ

ל נ ק ז י ו

ו י ז נ ל ק

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL (9 x 9)

צ ד ק ה ו מ ש פ ט

ADVANCED LEVEL (9 x 9)

צ ד ק ה ו מ ש פ ט

ש מ ד ט ק ו צ ה פ

ו ה ט פ צ ש ק מ ד

פ ק צ מ ד ה ש ט ו

מ ד ש ק פ צ ט ו ה

צ פ ק ה ו ט ד ש מ

ה ט ו ש מ ד פ צ ק

ט ו פ ד ש מ ה ק צ

ק ש מ צ ה פ ו ד ט

ד צ ה ו ט ק מ פ ש

ש מ ד ט ק ו צ ה פ

ו ה ט פ צ ש ק מ ד

פ ק צ מ ד ה ש ט ו

מ ד ש ק פ צ ט ו ה

צ פ ק ה ו ט ד ש מ

ה ט ו ש מ ד פ צ ק

ט ו פ ד ש מ ה ק צ

ק ש מ צ ה פ ו ד ט

ד צ ה ו ט ק מ פ ש

It All Adds Up

ANSWER KEY

379

287 ע ו י ר א

131 ק ה כ ה א

511 ד ש ר ה ב

26 ה ה ג ד ט

248 ם י צ ח ק

113 222 323 326 219 251

Parshas VaYeira Questions with answers

1. Where is butter mentioned in this parsha? In what context is butter mentioned in the Prophets?

Avraham serves butter to the angels (Genesis 18:8). In the book of Judges, Yael serves butter to Sisra (Shoftim 5:25).

2. In this parsha, who is referred to as being "elderly" with the expression Zaken or Zekainim? (4 answers)

The Torah refers to both Avraham and Sarah as "elderly" (Genesis 18:11). Later on, the Torah describes the crowd that

converged on Lot's house as ranging "from young to old" (Genesis 19:4). Lastly, the daughters of Lot called their father

aZakein (Genesis 19:31).

3. In this parsha, which two people question Hashem about killing atzaddik (righteous person)?

Avraham asks Hashem if He will kill the tzaddikim of Sodom (Genesis 18:25). Avimelech also asks Hashem if He will kill

atzaddik (referring to himself for not touching Sarah) (Genesis 20:4).

4. In this parsha, which two people make a Mishteh - "a feast"?

Lot makes a feast for the angels (Genesis 19:3), and Avraham makes a feast when Yitzhak is weaned (21:8).

5. Where is salt mentioned in this parsha? When is the next time that salt is mentioned in the Torah?

Lot's wife turns around and becomes "a pillar of salt" (Genesis 19:26). Salt is not mentioned again until Leviticus 2:13 with

regard to the salt required for korbonot.

6. Aside from the book of Genesis, where else do the cities of Sodom and Amora appear in the Torah?

The song in Parshat Ha'azinu mentions Sodom and Amora (Deut. 32:32).

7. In this parsha, who became intoxicated with wine? What other two people in the book of Genesis became drunk?

Lot became drunk after the destruction of Sodom and Amora (Genesis 19:33). Also, Noach became drunk after the Flood

(Genesis 9:21), and the brothers became drunk after bringing Benyamin to see Yosef (Genesis 43:34).

8. With regard to which events does the Torah state that Avraham "arose early in the morning"? (3 answers) Who else in

this parsha arose early in the morning?

Avraham arose early to look at what happened to Sodom (Genesis 19:27), to send away Hagar and Yishmael (Genesis

21:14), and to travel to the Akeida (Genesis 22:3). In this parsha, Avimelech also "arose early in the morning" to consult

with his advisors after Hashem tells him in a dream that Avraham is married to Sarah (Genesis 20:8).

9. Which two people give the same exact gifts to each other?

When Avimelech returns Sarah, he gives to Avraham sheep and cattle (Genesis 20:14). Later in the parsha when the two

make a treaty, Avraham gives Avimelech the same gift of sheep and cattle (Genesis 21:27).

10. In this parsha, what happens "on the third day"? What other events in the book of Genesis happen "on the third day"?

(4 answers)

The binding of Yitzhak occurs on the third day of their journey to the land of Moriah (Genesis 22:4). Lavan is informed

after three days that Yaakov has run away (Genesis 31:22). Shimon and Levi wipe out the city of Shchem on the third

day after the circumcision of the residents (Genesis 34:25). Pharaoh makes a birthday party on the third day after the

butler's and baker's dreams (Genesis 40:20). Yosef lets his brothers out of jail on the third day of their imprisonment

(Genesis 42:18).

SHEVA KOLOS

Seven Answers for Seven Aliyos

Parshas VaYeira

First Aliyah

What Hebrew word has dots (nekudos) on top of the word?

dots on the Alef, Yud, and Tes אליו

Second Aliyah

Avrohom talked to HaShem in counts of 10 Tzadikim. What number was not a “ten” number?

45 (fifty the lack five)

Third Aliyah

The Shalshelet (Hebrew: לת לש is a cantillation mark found in the Torah. It is one of the (ש

rarest used, occurring just four times in the entire Torah. What word in this Parsha has this mark?

and he lingered ויתמהמה

Fourth Aliyah

What Hebrew word for the type of Pillar that Lot’s wife became?

Salt מלח

Fifth Aliyah

HaShem heard the cry of whom?

Heard the cry of the youth, Yishmael

Sixth Aliyah

How did the city of Beer-Sheva get its name? If “Beer” means well, what does “sheva” mean?

The two of them, Avram and Avimelch took an oath

Seventh Aliyah

What kind of animal did Avrohom ride?

Chamor - donkey

PARSHA ANSWER BEFORE MAFTIR?

List the five angels mentioned in this Parsha?

1) Three מלאכים came to visit אברהם and turn over סדום.

2) A מלאך guided הגר and ישמעאל

3) A מלאך stopped אברהם by the עקידה and benchted him

MATH IN THE PARSHA ANSWER SHEET

1. How old was Yishmael when he received Bris Milah?

99 years – 86 years = 13 years old

Sodom and Gemorah

2. How many righteous people would be necessary to protect each city?

50/5 = 10 righteous people

3. How many righteous people would be necessary to protect each city?

45/5 = 9 righteous people

Answer Sheet

אכלו .1 וי תה, ומצות אפה The made a feast and (19,3) .ויעש להם משbaked Matzos and they eat them. (It was Pesach)

became an archer (shooter) (21,20)רבה קשת .2

טחוי קשת .3 like a bow-shot (arch of the rainbow) (21,16)כמ

פט שפוט .4 ”play the judge“ (19,9)ויש

לשה אנשים, נצבים עליו .5 ”Three men stood (over) him“ (18,2)ש

חם היום .6 ”like the heat of the day“ (18,1)כ

”and he saddled the donkey“ (22,3)ויחבש את-חמרו .7

ציב מלח .8 ”the place became known as a “pillar of salt (19,26) .נ

9. Place in the Parsha that three nekudos (dots) are placed over a word – ו י ל (18,9)א

thousand pieces of silver”; or a $1000 note“ (20,16)אלף כסף .10ורים .11 they were struck with blindness” and now“ (19,11)הכו בסנ

needed to read Braille. ליכם .12 רחצו רג ”and they washed their feet“ (18,4)וחלב .13 ”and milk“ (18,8)ו14. (Rashi 18,4) cleaned their feet due to dust of the desert 15. The Shofar reminds us the fam of Yitzchak (22,13) bottle of water”; in the desert, a canteen“ (21,14)חמת מים .1617. The name of the city Sodom after it is overturned 18. The picture has no apparent connection to the Parsha but maybe you

could make a connection.

P L E A S E T E L L M E W H A T T H E R E B B E S A I D

===========================================================

Parshas Vayeira

Often, Rabbi Weiss, the principal of the Kings Road Talmud Torah, would watch different

classes. Today, he was visiting a Chumash lesson in the sixth grade.

"And now I have a question for all the talmidei chachomim in kitah vav," Rabbi Weiss

announced with a smile at the end of the lesson. "At the beginning of this week's parshah, we read that HaShem appeared to Avrohom. Now this was not the first time HaShem

revealed Himself to Avrohom. Let's look back to the previous parshah and find other occasions."

"I found one," Moishey called out. "Here it says that HaShem appeared to Avrohom when he was 99 years old. It's in perek yud-zayin, pasuk alef."

"Good," commented Rabbi Weiss. "Now tell us what happens when HaShem appears to Avrohom."

"Pasuk gimmel says Avrohom fell on his face," replied Moishey.

"So Avrohom doesn't look at HaShem directly," continued Rabbi Weiss. "Where else do

we find this?"

"In perek tes-vav, pasuk alef," answered Yankie. "It says that HaShem appeared to

Avrohom in a machazeh - a vision. That's not the same as seeing HaShem directly."

"And of course," added Yudi, "There's bris bein habisorim - the Covenant which HaShem made with Avrohom. There it says that HaShem caused darkness and sleep to overcome

him."

Rabbi Weiss was pleased with the boys' answers. "I knew you deserved to be called

talmidei chachomim!" he exclaimed. "Now look back to the Rashi in the pasuk Moishey found. Rashi explains why Avrohom could not face HaShem directly."

"Rashi says - mimorah haShechinah," said Chayim. "Out of fear of the Shechinah."

"Very good, Chayim! Now for the main question: In this week's parshah, HaShem appears

to Avrohom again. But this time, Avrohom is awake, able to face HaShem's Shechinah directly. What made the difference?"

The class was quiet for a moment, then Chayim called out - "The bris!"

"Excellent," replied Rabbi Weiss. "In that same pasuk, Rashi explains that the bris brought

about a change. Before the bris, Avrohom's body couldn't withstand a direct revelation of HaShem; it was too much holiness. So, he fell to the ground, or had a vision or a dream.

But the bris brought about a change in his body and made it possible for him to face

HaShem directly.

"One of the reasons for this change is because this was a mitzvah which HaShem

commanded Avrohom to perform. Even though Avrohom fulfilled mitzvos on his own before, our Rabbis teach us that a person who is commanded to do something and does

it, is greater than a person who is not commanded, but does it anyway.

"Why? When HaShem gives us commandments, He is not simply giving us orders, He is

giving us power. His commandments bind us to Him, and this makes a change within us. Because the mitzvah of the bris brought Avrohom closer to HaShem, he became able to

face the Shechinah directly." (Adapted from Likkutei Sichos, Vol. X, Parshas Vayeira)

After Avrohom’s bris mila, HaShem made it

very hot outside. In that way, there would be no

guests to bother Avrohom while he was

recovering. However, Avrohom was upset at not

having guests. Then, he was very happy when he

saw three “men” (malachim sent by HaShem)

and ran to invite them to his home.

HaShem destroyed Sodom and Amorah by

turning them into dust. All the people that lived

there died, except for Lot and his two daughters.

Lot’s wife turned around to look at the

destruction and was turned into a pillar of salt.

Sarah gave birth to Yitzchak when she was 90

years old and Avrohom was 100. Yitzhak was

the first to have his bris mila when he was eight

days old. On that day Avrohom made a big party.

Avrohom sent Yishmael away from his home

per the advice of Sarah and HaShem’s

agreement. Hagar and Yishmael were in the

Midbar, and they used up their water. Yishmael

was very sick. Hagar left him under a tree and

the two of them cried. HaShem saved Yishmael

and he became healthy again.

HaShem tested Avrohom with a very difficult

test. He told Avrohom to offer Yitzchak as a

korban. Avrohom took Yitzchak and the two of

them went happily to fulfill the word of

HaShem. At the last moment, HaShem told

Avrohom not to sacrifice Yitzchak.

Parsha Pizzazz - Vayeira

What's Bothering Avrohom?

Three days after Avrohom's Brit Milah (circumcision), he was resting in his tent. He wasn't happy. He was tired and he didn't feel well but that's not the reason he was feeling down.

What was wrong?

Well, it was an incredibly hot, scorching desert day - but that didn't bother him either. So what was the problem?

The problem was that the roads were empty. No one wanted to travel on such a sweltering day. And that's exactly what was bothering Avrohom - there were no desert travelers to be found as far as the eye could see! How would he perform the mitzvah of Hachnassat Orchim (welcoming guests)?

Of course, HaShem had made the weather unbearably hot for that very reason: in order to give Avrohom a break from having guests so that he could rest and feel better. But when HaShem saw how sad this made Avrohom, He had to do something to help him.

You Are Cordially Invited

Just then, Avrohom looked up and saw three men walking down the road. He was so excited. "Guests!" he shouted, and jumped up from his seat. His feet flew as he ran to greet the travelers. Who were these strangers? They were, in fact, angels (malachim) sent by HaShem - Gavriel, Michoel, and Rafael - just so Avrohom could welcome guests and serve them. Each of the three was sent with a different mission. Rafael was the healer, who came to make Avrohom feel better.

"Please come to my tent!" Avrohom said to the travelers. "You can wash your feet! I will serve you delicious food and give you water to drink! Please come!"

What else could they do? Of course they accepted Avrohom's invitation.

Avrohom's Restaurant

The three guests washed up and sat down in the shade. Avrohom sent his helpers to bring the guests some cool, refreshing water. Meanwhile, Avrohom brought out milk and cheese as appetizers, and sent his son Yishmael to prepare three cows for their meal.

A whole cow for each man? That's quite a lot of food - enough to make thousands of burgers! But Avrohom wasn't planning to serve the entire animals - just the tongues, which were, of course, the very best part (especially the way he served it, with spicy mustard). And with three cows, there would be just enough tongues to go around!

Sarah quickly baked bread from the best flour, and Avrohom served it to the guests. The three mysterious visitors had a scrumptious feast, and Avrohom was happy at last.

Good News for Sarah

After the meal, the angel Michoel asked Avrohom, "Where is Sarah?"

"She is in her tent," said Avrohom. Sarah was modest and she wouldn't feel right going out in front of strangers.

"Well, please give her a message. Tell Sarah that one year from now, she will have a son!"

Sara had been listening from inside her tent, and when she heard this news, she laughed to herself. "I'm too old to have a baby, and so is Avrohom!" she thought. (Of course, she didn't know that their guests were actually messengers of HaShem!)

After the angels went on their way, HaShem spoke to Avrohom. Why had Sarah laughed? HaShem wanted to know. Did she think that giving her a son would be too hard for HaShem to do? After all, HaShem created the whole world.

With the good news delivered, Michoel's mission was accomplished. He flew back to HaShem, leaving Gavriel and Rafael to continue on their journey.

Let's Make a Deal

HaShem let Avrohom in on a secret: He was planning to completely destroy the city of Sdom, because all of the people who lived there were just plain bad. Even the laws of the city were cruel and unjust.

Avrohom felt sorry for the people of Sdom. "Oh! Surely there are some good people who live there, too!" he cried to HaShem. "If there are 50 good people, will you save the city from being destroyed?"

HaShem said that He wouldn't destroy Sdom if there were 50 good people there - but there were not.

"What about 45? 40? 30? 20? Or even just TEN GOOD PEOPLE?!" Avrohom wanted to know.

But there were not even ten good people in all of Sdom.

At Lot's Place

Avrohom's nephew, Lot, was still living in Sdom, and he had learned a thing or two about doing good deeds, thanks to his uncle, Avrohom. One day, as Lot was sitting by the gate of Sdom, he noticed two men passing by his house. (They were Rafael and Gavriel, two of the angels who had visited Avrohom! Gavriel is the strength of HaShem,and it was his mission to destroy Sdom. Rafael is the healer of HaShem, and it was his mission to save Lot and his family.)

When he saw the weary-looking travelers, Lot decided to do a mitzvah.

"Please, gentlemen, come to my house for a meal. Stay the night and rest before you continue on your way, " Lot said to the strangers.

Now this was absolutely unheard of in the city of Sdom. Who ever invited guests? It was even against the law!

But the angels accepted Lot's offer, and Lot secretly led them through the back alleys to his home. There, he served them a meal and even some matza (it was Passover). As they ate, Lot said to his wife, "Please bring our guests some salt to make their food more tasty."

Aha! That gave his wife an idea. She was angry that Lot had invited guests and had been looking for an excuse to go tell the neighbors so that the police could be notified.

"I'll go borrow some salt from the neighbors!" she said, as she dashed out the door. She went from door to door, asking everyone, "Could I please borrow some salt for our houseguests?"

It was all downhill from there. Word spread quickly, and soon the whole city knew about Lot's guests. All of the people of Sdom stampeded down the street and banged on Lot s door. But no matter how hard they pounded, Lot would not let them in to harm his guests.

Lot was frightened, but his guests were not - after all, they were angels of HaShem. They caused all of the wicked people outside Lot's house to become blind. Then they could no longer find the door, and eventually they gave up trying.

On the Run!

It was just before sunrise, and the angels said to Lot, "We were sent here to destroy the whole city. You need to get out of here, now! Take your family and go!"

Lot tried to tell his daughters' husbands what was happening, but they thought he was joking. Lot dawdled. He dilly-dallied. He thought maybe he should go pack up his money and his things . . . but the angels said, "Hurry up! Hurry up! There's no time to waste!" They led him right out the door, along with his wife and his two daughters.

The angels hurried them all down the road and straight to the gate at the edge of the city. Then they said, "Run! And do not look back, no matter what!"

Lot ran. His daughters ran. Lot's wife ran, too - but she was curious and she stopped to look behind her. She saw the city in flames, and then she turned into . . . salt. (It's no coincidence that HaShem punished her this way, since she had used salt to get Lot in trouble when he was serving his guests earlier that night.)

And what happened to Lot and his daughters? They fled to safety in another city, and HaShem protected them.

Did you know that in Israel today, in the Dead Sea, there is so much salt in the water that if even if you can't swim, you'll float right up to the top! Hmm... maybe this has something to do with Lot's wife.

It's a Boy!

Avrohom and Sarah moved to Be'er Sheva and, of course, always kept looking for guests. They would feed their visitors whatever fruits and delicacies they wanted, and even invite them to stay overnight, and they never charged a single cent for the food or lodging.

All Avrohom asked from his guests in return was a simple thank you. But not for himself - for HaShem. He taught everyone to thank HaShem for their food, since He created the fruit trees and the animals, and everything else in the world.

Because they taught others to follow in their ways, Avrohom and Sarah were blessed with a son, just as the three angels had promised. When the baby was born, Sarah was 90 years old and Avrohom was 100! They named their son Yitzchak (meaning "he will laugh"), because his birth brought joy and laughter.

Yitzchak had a brit milah at eight days old, and Sarah nursed him for two years. When he was two, they made a great celebration and invited many guests, including the most important people of their time, to share their happiness and enjoy a grand feast.

It was a strange invitation; on it Avrohom and Sarah asked their guests to bring along their nursing babies. They wanted to prove a point. Some people had been wondering, "Could Yitzchak really be Sarah's son? Isn't she too old to have a baby of her own?"

So Avrohom asked all of the women to bring Sarah their babies, and Sarah nursed them all. Then they saw with their own eyes that HaShem had miraculously made Sarah like a young woman again, and everyone knew that little Yitzchak was indeed her child.

The Big Test: Akeidat Yitzchak

Years later, when Yitzchak was already 37 years old, HaShem called to Avrohom: "Avrohom, I want you to go up to the mountain with your son, Yitzchak, and I want you to bring him up for a sacrifice there for me."

Had Avrohom heard that right? Sacrifice his one and only son, for whom he had prayed and waited for so long, and from whom HaShem had promised to make a great nation? Could this possibly be what HaShem wanted of him?

It was indeed what HaShem had asked him to do. It was a test, the most difficult test you could imagine. And Avrohom was ready to do whatever HaShem asked of him.

Avrohom didn't waste a moment. He woke up early in the morning and saddled his donkey. Then, together with his sons, Yitzchak and Yishmael, and his servant Eliezer, Avrohom set out on his mission.

For three days they traveled, until they saw a special cloud on top of Mount Moriah, and they knew they had found the right place.

When they got there, Yishmael and Eliezer waited at the bottom, and Avrohom climbed to the top with Yitzchak. Avrohom carried a knife, and Yitzchak carried wood for a fire. When they reached the top, Yitzchak realized that they had everything they needed for a sacrifice - except the animal.

"What is going on?" he asked his father.

Avrohom answered him, "Yitzchak, my son, HaShem has chosen you to be the sacrifice."

Yitzchak was also a very righteous man who was faithful to HaShem. He courageously asked his father to tie his hands and feet and place him on the altar so he wouldn't move around! (This event is known as the Akeidat Yitzchak (The Binding of Yitzchak.)

Avrohom built a mizbeyach (altar) and placed his son on it. He had the knife in his hand and was just about to do the sacrifice, when HaShem's angel Michoel swooped down and called out: "Stop! You don't have to do it! You have passed the final, most difficult test! Mazel tov! Congratulations!"

At that moment, Avrohom noticed from a distance a ram that had gotten caught in a bush by its horns. He untied his son and, with great joy, sacrificed the ram instead.

A Holy Mountain

The mountain where Avrohom brought Yitzchak was very special and holy. Many years later, in that very same place, the Bait HaMikdash, the Holy Temple, would be built. There HaShem would accept all of the Jewish people's prayers and sacrifices.

And on Rosh Hashana, when we blow the shofar, which is the horn of a ram, it reminds us of the ram that appeared on the scene of the Akeida, over 3000 years ago, and how Avrohom passed his test with flying colors.

Homeward Bound After the Akeida, Avrohom and Yitzchak returned happily home, and were blessed greatly by HaShem for their faithfulness.

Now, what do you think Sarah was thinking while she waited at home for Avrohom and Yitzchak to return? After all, mothers do worry . . . and all this time, she thought that Avrohom was just taking Yitzchak to learn in yeshiva!

TM

by O. Werner © 1998

Vayera

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