Avraham was sitting in his tent on the third day after his brit milah, when three angels of

Hashem who were disguised as men appeared at the front of his tent.

Avraham was very excited to have guests, so he immediately welcomed them in and told

them to wash their feet and have a meal.

Avraham teaches us the mitzvah of Hachnasat Orchim,the welcoming of guests into your home.

The first angel, Michael, told Avraham that he would have a son. When his wife, Sarah, heard this news, she laughed.

The second angel, Gavriel, told Avraham that Hashem planned to destroy the city of Sedom. Finally, the third

angel, Rephael, told Avraham that he would heal him and save his nephew Lot from Sedom.

Avraham did not want Sedom to be destroyed, so he asked Hashem if he would spare the city if there were at least 50 tzadikim. But there weren’t. 20? Nope. 10? Nope. Finally Hashem had made up His mind and left

Avraham and went to destroy Sedom.

When the angels came to save Lot, he welcomed them into his home, which was against the law in Sedom. Because Lot broke the rules, the townspeople wanted to drive him out of the city. Lot, his two daughters, and his wife were instructed to run away and not look

back at the destruction of the city. Lot’s wife, however, looked back and as a result, she was turned into a pillar of salt.

Avraham traveled to Gerar in order to distance himself from Lot and his bad behavior. While in Gerar,

Avraham told Sarah to tell everyone that she was his sister so that if Avimelech, the King of Gerar, took

Sarah as his wife, like Pharaoh did in Egypt, Avraham would not be killed.

Just remember: You’re my “SISTER”

Michael the angel was right, and sure enough Sarah gave birth to a baby boy. Sarah and Avraham named him Yitzchak. Avraham now had two sons: Yishmael, and of course, Yitzchak. Sarah noticed that Yishmael was a bad influence on Yitzchak, so she ordered Avraham

to send Yishmael and his mother, Hagar, away.

Rashi tells us that, Yishmael was a bad influence on Yitzchak because his life was filled with murder, adultery, and idolatry.

GET OUT !!!

Hashem gives Avraham his final test of faith and tells him that he must sacrifice his son Yitzchak. Avraham

follows Hashem’s command promptly. When Avraham tied up Yitzchak and was ready to slaughter him,

Hashem sent an angel down to stop him. We call this event Akaidat Yitzchak.

שּבת

שלום

THE END