Vayeira – Page 13 – Peninim on the Torah

The child grew and was weaned. Avraham made a great feast on the day Yitzchak was weaned. (21:8)

Rashi says that feast was “great” because the great men of that generation, Shem, Eiver and Avimelech attended it. In the Talmud Shabbos 130A, Tosfos contends that this feast took place on the day Yitzchak was circumcised, the eighth day after his birth. Rabbeinu Bachya feels that this unique feast took place on the day that Yitzchak began to study Torah. It is no wonder that Avraham “bypassed” the first “milestone” of Bris Milah. After all, he himself was three years old when he “realized” that there was a Creator Who ruled the world. Consequently, he felt that the most…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeira, 5759

Hashem remembered Sarah as He had said…And she (Sarah) conceived. (21:1,2)

Rashi quotes Chazal, who explain the juxtaposition of Sarah’s conception upon Avraham’s prayer on behalf of Avimelech and his family. As punishment for Avimelech’s abduction of Sarah, he and his household were subjected to a complete cessation of their reproductive functions. Avraham prayed for them and, in turn, was himself blessed. The inference is that, if one prays for another, if he himself is in need of that same cure/help, his prayers will soon be answered. The Tiferes Shmuel interprets this statement with a slightly different twist, providing an important lesson. He reads the dictum in the following…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeira, 5759

And He (Hashem) said, “Please take your son…and go to the land of Moriah.” (22:2)

The Torah dedicates two parshios to Avraham Avinu. The first one begins with Hashem’s command to Avraham, “Lech Lecha,” (12:1) Go forth, leave the land and reach out to the world. The second ends with another Lech Lecha. Here he is instructed to take his son, Yitzchak, and go to the land of Moriah. He begins his mission focusing on himself, his responsibilities. He ends his mission by taking his son to Har Hashem, exposing him to the Divine, ensuring that he will carry on his father’s legacy. Indeed, is that not what Yiddishkeit is all about? The father goes…

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Moshe Marcovich In Vayeira, 5758

Avraham came forward and said, “Will You also stamp out the righteous along with the wicked?” (18:23)

Avraham’s love for all people is exemplified in its noblest form as he intercedes on behalf of the people of Sodom. Even the wicked inhabitants of Sodom were worthy of his sympathy. He prayed to Hashem to spare them from impending doom. Avraham Avinu’s most significant strength was his total devotion to Hashem. Representing the greatest aspect of his personality, this trait caused Hashem to say that during the ten generations from Noach until Avraham, He spoke to no one other than Avraham. Avraham’s commitment, to the point of self-sacrifice, was definitely the zenith of his life’s achievement. Chazal,…

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Moshe Marcovich In Vayeira, 5758

And Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law and he said, “Get up and leave this place, for Hashem is about to destroy the city. But he seemed like a jester in the eyes of his sons-in-law.”

In the Midrash, Chazal recount the dialogue between Lot and his sons-in-law. When Lot implored them to leave because of the impending doom, they countered derisively, “The city is singing and dancing, music is playing, and you say the city is about to be destroyed? Nonsense!” Horav A. Henach Leibovitz, Shlita, observes that Lot’s sons-in-law would have heeded the warning to leave the city had they not seen the people in a state of joy and frivolity. They believed that Hashem could destroy the city; they did not believe that He would. Intellectually, they knew it might happen, but the…

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Moshe Marcovich In Vayeira, 5758

And Hashem tested Avraham and said to him, “Avraham,” and he replied, “Here I am.” (22:1)

Avraham Avinu’s loyalty to Hashem was ratified through ten trials, which he passed with exemplary devotion. Every trial had its own unique degree of challenge. The tenth, and most significant trial, was the Akeidah — when Hashem instructed Avraham to bind Yitzchak and sacrifice him. Avraham responded, “Hineni,” I am prepared and ready to serve You in any way that You ask. In response to a test of this caliber, the Satan was working overtime, challenging Avraham every step of the way. The Satan appeared to Avraham in the guise of an old man. He questioned Avraham regarding his destination. …

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Moshe Marcovich In Vayeira, 5758

And Hashem tested Avraham. (22:1)

With the Akeidas Yitzchak, Avraham Avinu reached the summit of spiritual commitment to the Almighty. He was prepared to sacrifice everything–even his only son, his future–to serve Hashem. Avraham Avinu demonstrated obedience by listening to the command of Hashem. He showed unparalleled yiraas Shomayim, fear of Heaven, when he listened to Hashem without question. The Netziv, zl, emphasizes Avraham’s readiness to accept Hashem’s command without questioning, as one might listen to a close friend. Avraham was in awe of Hashem, a state of being which precludes the question, “Why”? Fear is equated with unequivocal acquiescence; no questions are asked, one…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeira, 5757

“And Sarah laughed at herself saying, ‘After I have withered shall I again have delicate skin? And my husband is old!’ And Hashem said to Avraham, ‘Why is it that Sarah laughed?'” (18:12,13)

Why did Hashem question Avraham concerning Sarah’s behavior? Why did Hashem not speak directly to Sarah? Indeed, her level of prophecy was even higher than that of Avraham. One would assume that if Sarah had laughed, she should have to answer for it herself; not through her husband as the intermediary. Kehillas Yitzchak cites Horav Yisrael Salanter, zl, who clarifies this issue with an analogy. If one were to enter the kitchen of someone’s home and find that the maid or cook is not particular about the laws of kashrus, he would conclude that the master of the house himself…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeira, 5757

“For I have loved him because he commands his children and his household after him that they keep the way of Hashem.” (18:19)

This pasuk expresses the reason that Hashem “loved” Avraham, as well as suggesting the probable reason that Hashem chose Avraham to become the first Patriarch. Avraham did what a father is supposed to do. He taught his children, conveying to them the heritage as he received it — without adding his personal agenda. One’s real perspective on life is reflected in what he teaches his children. Avraham transmitted his monotheistic values, his belief in Hashem, exemplified by his unique chesed, kindness, to his children — all to be handed down throughout the generations. Avraham Avinu was also the first gadol,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeira, 5757

“And Hashem said, “Because the outcry of Sodom and Amorah has become great and because their sin has been very grave.” (18:20)

The sin of Sodom is viewed as the standard of evil. The people exemplify iniquity in its most depraved form. The manner in which the Sodomite acted represents a character trait which Chazal term as middas Sodom; it has its own unique element of evil. Let us focus on their sin and attempt to come to terms with the question, “What was so terrible about the sins of Sodom that has rendered its citizens the eternal symbols of corruption?” The Navi Yechezkel says, regarding the sin of Sodom (Yechezkel 16:49), “Behold this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom; she…

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The child grew and was weaned. Avraham made a great feast on the day Yitzchak was weaned. (21:8)

Hashem remembered Sarah as He had said…And she (Sarah) conceived. (21:1,2)

And He (Hashem) said, “Please take your son…and go to the land of Moriah.” (22:2)

Avraham came forward and said, “Will You also stamp out the righteous along with the wicked?” (18:23)

And Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law and he said, “Get up and leave this place, for Hashem is about to destroy the city. But he seemed like a jester in the eyes of his sons-in-law.”

And Hashem tested Avraham and said to him, “Avraham,” and he replied, “Here I am.” (22:1)

And Hashem tested Avraham. (22:1)

“And Sarah laughed at herself saying, ‘After I have withered shall I again have delicate skin? And my husband is old!’ And Hashem said to Avraham, ‘Why is it that Sarah laughed?'” (18:12,13)

“For I have loved him because he commands his children and his household after him that they keep the way of Hashem.” (18:19)

“And Hashem said, “Because the outcry of Sodom and Amorah has become great and because their sin has been very grave.” (18:20)

YEARS

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