Parasha Vayera: Child of the Covenant

November 18, 2016 In entertaining angels, Abraham learns that Sarah, who is 90, would give birth to a son, despite her old age, and he will inherit the Promised Land.

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Parasha Va’era (And I Appeared): God’s Covenantal Redemption

January 8, 2016 God promises Moses that He will accomplish four redemptive acts: He would bring out the Israelites from their suffering in Egypt, rescue them from slavery, redeem them from their oppression with His outstretched arm, and take them as His own nation (am). These four promises are called the four expressions of redemption, and they are traditionally commemorated during the Passover Seder (ritual meal) with four cups of wine.

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Vayera: The Intervention of Angels

October 30, 2015 This week’s Parasha contains more angelic activity than any of the other Parashot. Angels appear to Abraham as men, bringing messages to him and Sarah of future events to come. They also save Lot from a hostile mob, lead Hagar to water for her son, and comfort Hagar with the promise of Ishmael becoming a great nation. Later in the Parasha, the angels also prevent Abraham from sacrificing his son, Isaac.

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Parasha Vayera (And He Appeared): A Covenant and an Inheritance

November 7, 2014 This week’s Parasha contains more angelic activity than any of the other parashot. Angels appear to Abraham as men, bringing messages to him and Sarah of events to come. They also save Lot from a hostile mob, lead Hagar to water for her son, and comfort Hagar with the promise of Ishmael becoming a great nation. Later in the parasha, the angels also prevent Abraham from sacrificing his son, Isaac.

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Parasha Vayera (And He Appeared): Receiving God’s Promise

October 17, 2013 Vayera begins with Abraham sitting at the entrance of his tent. According to Rashi, an 11th century Torah and Talmud (oral law) commentator, Abraham was convalescing. It was only three days after he was circumcised in obedience to God as a sign of the covenant when he saw three strangers. Even though Abraham did not know who these strangers were, he welcomed them and gave them his best! Amazingly, the strangers that Abraham welcomed were not men, but angels.

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Parasha Vayera (And He Appeared): For the Sake of Ten

November 2, 2012 The rabbis believe that this visit from the Lord occurred while Abraham convalesced after his circumcision at 99 years old.

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