Vayera

📜 The Story

Three days after his brit milah (circumcision), when Abraham was ninety-nine, God came to visit him. Abraham was resting when he saw three travelers walking toward his tent. He was still in pain, but he ran to greet them. This teaches us the mitzvah of hachnasat orchim, welcoming guests. Abraham hurried to make them a big meal, and Sarah baked fresh bread. They loved being kind to others.

The visitors were really angels sent by God. One of them told Abraham that Sarah would have a son within a year. Sarah was listening at the tent door, and she laughed to herself, because she and Abraham were very old. God asked Abraham why Sarah laughed. Nothing is too hard for God.

Then God told Abraham that He was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, two cities full of wicked people. Abraham prayed and begged God to save the cities if even a few good people could be found there. Abraham cared about everyone, even strangers. Two angels went to Sodom and rescued Abraham's nephew Lot and his family. They told them to run and not look back.

Just as God promised, Sarah had a son. They named him Isaac, which comes from the Hebrew word for laughing, because Sarah said God had made her laugh with joy. When Isaac was a little older, Abraham made a big party. Later, Hagar and her son Ishmael were sent away. In the desert, God heard the boy crying and showed Hagar a well of water. God promised that Ishmael would also become a great nation.

The parsha ends with the Akeidah, the Binding of Isaac. God tested Abraham by asking him to bring Isaac as an offering on a mountain. Abraham was ready to do what God asked, and he answered, 'Hineni,' which means 'Here I am.' Just as he raised his hand, an angel called out and stopped him. Abraham offered a ram instead. God praised Abraham's faith and promised that his children would be as many as the stars in the sky.