articles on Vayera
Parasha Summary for Vayera
Click here to read the Summary by Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Three angels - Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
Abraham, father of monotheism, knew the paradoxical truth that to live the life of faith is to see the trace of God in the face of the stranger
Negative capability
A shiur by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks about the weekly portion "Vayera".
The Path of Avraham Avinu
A shiur by rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed about the weely portion "vayera".
Lessons on Vayera
The Binding of Isaac – 3700 Years Ago and Today
Rabbi David Dov Levanon | 14 Cheshvan 5785
Parashat Hashavua: Why Have the Attribute of Mercy, Judgment, and Again Mercy?
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Cheshvan 5785
The Binding of Isaac: A New Interpretation
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks | 8 Shvat 5784
Parashat Vayera: The Danger of Sinful Contemplation
There is a surprising midrash about the background of the test that Avraham underwent with the binding of Yitzchak, which the Torah introduces with the words “It was after these matters” (Bereishit 22:1). The obvious questions are: what were these “matters” and what was their significance? One midrash (Yelamdenu, Bereishit 104) says that Avraham had contemplated negative thoughts about Hashem’s attribute of judgment. Avraham was concerned that because he had been saved from death, he used up his reward and would not have any in the world to come. Consequently, he had to give an oleh sacrifice, which is appropriate for sins of the heart (with the sacrifice being his son).
From the Chemdat Yamim Leaflet
Avraham’s Prophecy
Parshas Vayeira begins with Hashem appearing to Avraham. When a Navi, Avraham included, receives a prophecy, he is in a prophetic trance or a dreamlike state, as we will see later in the words of the Rambam regarding prophecy. Yet, the very next Posuk has Avraham seeing travelers, racing out to invite them into his tent, cooking and serving them a meal, and carrying on a conversation with them. How could he do this if he was in the middle of having a prophetic vision?
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff
When Kindness is Evil
What is true kindness?
What is true kindness?
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | 19 Cheshvan 5784
LEAVING THE COMFORT ZONE
Our life, you might argue, is one long test. In Hebrew, a "Nisayon." The word is multi-dimensional, as it also contains the word, "nes – miracle." The implication is that when we rise to the occasion & pass our tests, miracles flow both to & through us.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss | Cheshvan 18 5784
