Vayeira – Page 14 – Peninim on the Torah

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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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeira, 5757

“On the third day, Avraham raised his eyes and perceived the place from afar. And Avraham said to his young men, ‘Stay here by yourselves with the donkey.'” (22:4,5)

Chazal tell us that when Avraham approached the mountain, he saw a cloud hovering over it. He immediately recognized this as a signal of Hashem’s Presence. He asked Yitzchak, “My son, do you see what I see?” “Yes, Father,” he responded. This served as an indication that Yitzchak had achieved the degree of spiritual perception making him worthy to serve as a korban. Avraham subsequently turned to his two young men and questioned them concerning what they had seen. Their response was negative. They saw nothing. Hence, Avraham told them, “The donkey sees nothing ,and you see nothing. Stay here…

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Sruly Schnair In Vayeira, 5756

“He took cream and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and placed these before them.” (18:8)

Rashi explains that Avraham did not serve any bread, since Sarah had become a niddah, ritually unclean on that day. Therefore, her dough was considered to be tamei, unclean. The Talmud in Bava Metzia 87a states that Avraham Avinu was careful to eat chullin, unconsecrated food, only if it was ritually clean. Consequently, he would not give the bread that had become contaminated to his three guests. We may question the approach which caused Avraham to be so exacting with his guests. After all, according to halacha one may eat chullin that is tamei. Avraham Avinu had accepted upon himself…

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Sruly Schnair In Vayeira, 5756

“And they made their father (Lot) drink wine on that night and the first-born went in and lay with her father.” (19:33)

Rashi notes that regarding the younger sister, the Torah simply states, “And she lay with him, the younger (sister).” He explains that the younger sister did not initiate the immoral and forbidden act, but was rather “taught” by her older sister. The Torah, therefore, is lenient in not specifying her act. The repulsive act of the first-born sister, however, who also initiated it, is explicitly noted. The Talmud in Bava Kama 38b seems to imply the opposite of what Rashi is suggesting. The Talmud states that one should make mitzvah performance his greatest priority. Since the older daughter preceded her…

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Sruly Schnair In Vayeira, 5756

“And she (Sarah) said to Avraham, ‘Drive out the slave-woman with her son, for the son of that slave woman shall not inherit with my son, with Yitzchak …’ And Hashem said to Avraham, ‘Whatever Sarah tells you, heed her voice.” (21:10,12)

It seems unusual that a tzaddeikes such as Sarah Imeinu would be so “mercenary” as to fear Yishmael’s inheriting Avraham’s possessions. Undoubtedly, as Rashi states, she was concerned about Yishmael’s evil influence over Yitzchak. Nonetheless, what is the meaning of Sarah’s statement, “For the son of that slave-woman shall not inherit with my son”? Horav Elyakim Schlesinger, Shlita, explains that as long as Yitzchak and Yishmael’s relationship did not involve monetary dealings, Sarah did not fear any harmful persuasion from Yishmael. Once they would begin sharing an inheritance, however, this distinction would have slowly diminished. Suddenly, Yitzchak would have been…

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Sruly Schnair In Vayeira, 5756

“And Avraham returned to his young men.” (22:19)

The Midrash notes that Yitzchak’s name is not mentioned in the description of Avraham’s return. Chazal explain that Avraham dispatched Yitzchak to the Yeshivah of Shem and Ever to study Torah. He said, “All I have accomplished, all of the wonderful things that have occurred, are only the result of my endeavors in the area of Torah and mitzvos. I, therefore, want my son to devote his life to Torah, so that Torah will remain with my descendants.” The Midrash compares this to a woman who became wealthy as a result of a certain spindle she owned which made very…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeira, 5755

“Let a little water now be taken and wash your feet.” (18:4)

The pasuk implies that Avraham sent an agent (Yishmael) to bring the water. Rashi states that Avraham should have personally attended to the guests. As a result of his personal non-involvement, when Hashem responded to Avraham’s descendants, He also sent an agent (Moshe) to give water to them. Why is this? The act of chesed, kindness, was performed, albeit through an agent. Why then should there be negative repercussions? The Chofetz Chaim offers two insights. First, it is always more propitious to personally attend to the mitzvah, rather than to delegate it to an intermediary. Second, it is a greater…

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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)

“On the third day, Avraham raised his eyes and perceived the place from afar. And Avraham said to his young men, ‘Stay here by yourselves with the donkey.'” (22:4,5)

“He took cream and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and placed these before them.” (18:8)

“And they made their father (Lot) drink wine on that night and the first-born went in and lay with her father.” (19:33)

“And she (Sarah) said to Avraham, ‘Drive out the slave-woman with her son, for the son of that slave woman shall not inherit with my son, with Yitzchak …’ And Hashem said to Avraham, ‘Whatever Sarah tells you, heed her voice.” (21:10,12)

“And Avraham returned to his young men.” (22:19)

“Let a little water now be taken and wash your feet.” (18:4)

YEARS

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